What is OPU?

OPU (=ovum pick up) is the technique of harvesting eggs (ova, oocytes) from the follicles on the ovaries in order to be fertilised by ICSI. This is in analogy with IVF in women.  In brief the OPU procedure is as follows:

• The ultrasound probe equipped with a biopsy channel is inserted into the vagina.
• The ovary is held via the rectum and placed against the ultrasound probe to visualise the follicles
• The fluid from each follicle is then aspirated. The follicle is then flushed in order to enhance the retrieval of eggs. This is done for each follicle larger than 1cm diameter.
• The recovered fluid is filtered, and the eggs recovered.
• The eggs are transported overnight to an ICSI- lab.

What is ICSI?

ICSI (= intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is the technique used for fertilisation of the eggs in the lab were one sperm cell is injected into each egg

• On arrival at the lab the eggs are placed in a special solution for 24hrs in order to complete maturation (“ripening”)
• The eggs that have successfully matured are then fertilised
• The fertilised eggs are cultured in the lab for 7 -9 days until they are a blastocyst (i.e. early embryo) 
• These embryos are then frozen in liquid nitrogen at -196°C
• Frozen embryos are thawed and transferred when a suitable recipient is available

Why choose for OPU?

• Mare subfertility
  • Unable to carry pregnancy to term
  • Unable to produce an embryo for embryo transfer
• Stallions with reduced fertility
• More efficient use of frozensemen since only 1/3 to 1/5 of a single straw is used per OPU session to fertilise multiple eggs.
• OPU can be performed out of the breeding season since the mare does not need to be in season
• No hormonal manipulation
• Frozen embryo’s which can be transferred at desired moment
• Little interruption to competition

When is my mare ready for OPU?

In order to have adequate chances of success, we recommend that the mare has at least 15 follicles of 1cm or larger on her ovaries. This is determined by an ultrasound scan of her ovaries which can be done at home

What to expect?

• On average there is a 65% chance of getting one or more embryos per OPU session. This is influenced by many factors such as the number of oocytes collected, the quality of the oocytes and semen, the health status of the mare, …
• After transfer of an ICSI embryo into a suitable recipient mare there is a 75% chance of a pregnancy

Contact us for more information!

Dr Kaatje Ducheyne +32(0)4880020 or by email: info@demorette.be

For fertilization with fresh or frozen sperm, we cooperate with other colleagues.