Optimization of donor cell cycle synchrony, maturation media and embryo culture system for somatic cell nuclear transfer in the critically endangered Vietnamese Ỉ pig

Our aim was to establish an efficient culture system to produce embryos by SCNT of the endangered Vietnamese Ỉ pig. Reducing the serum concentration from 10.0% to 0.2% during culture efficiently synchronized Ỉ pig fibroblasts used as donor cells at the G0/G1 stage. Oocyte maturation in a defined porcine oocyte medium (POM) supplemented with EGF and gonadotrophins resulted in higher cleavage and blastocyst rates compared with a non-defined POM containing pig follicular fluid (but without EGF) and both the defined and non-defined variants of NCSU-37. For embryo culture PZM3 and PZM5 media were superior to NCSU-37, in terms of the percentage of cleaved embryos. Addition of serum to PZM3 medium on Day 5 of culture (Day 0 = SCNT) improved blastocyst development. When SCNT embryos were transferred at the blastocyst stage, 7 of 11 recipients became pregnant. However, live offspring were not obtained. In conclusion, we established a system for the production of Ỉ pig embryos by SCNT and achieved blastocyst production rate at 26.4% by improving culture systems for donor cells, oocytes and embryos culture. Transfer of embryos resulted in pregnancies; however, live offspring were not obtained.