Overview - research livestock area
Biotechnology of reproduction has always played an important role in the field of zootechnical research in order to improve livestock production and reproductive efficiency. In recent years the impact of these technologies has been remarkable, especially in cattle, from the spreading of artificial insemination and estrus synchronization methods to the modern techniques of embryo transfer and in vitro embryo production.
A large amount of research has been carried out by Avantea as shown by numerous publications. In particular Avantea has contributed to the development of the in vitro embryos production techniques in bovine that are now applied in Italy and in all those countries where livestock production is more advanced. With regards to buffalos and equine, Avantea still maintains a leading position in Europe for its research activity carried out in reproductive biotechnology.
In addition to this ongoing work on optimizing the in vitro production techniques, Avantea is carrying out a research program related to bovine infertility, an increasing problem in advanced livestock countries.
Another reserach area of Avantea is animal cloning (which allows to obtain identical copies of a particulary interesting animal). This technology can find its application for endangered breeds or it may also represent a kind of insurance for all those animals of exceptional value.
Embryos and infertility
Avantea research activity in the livestock sector, is focusing on the infertility in the bovine and buffaloes species. Avantea is partner of several national and international projects (Fecund) aiming at the genetic improvement in those two species through the application of reproductive biotechnologies linked to the modern genomic and proteomics techniques.
The new selection methods using genomic and new reproductive biotechnologies in bovine and buffaloes have been discussed during the two seminars organised by Avantea: in October 2012 in collaboration with AIA LGS, Parco Tecnologico Padano and with the support of Lombardy Region in occasion of the 67th International Dairy Cattle Show in Cremona (for more info, follow this link) and in May 2009 during the event dedicated to the Ovum Pick Up technique combined to the use of sexed semen within selection programs (watch the videos recorded during the event).
With regard to bovine, Avantea carried out several research projects, among these Embryofert and Uterofert, both funded by Lombardy Region. Within these two projects, it has been shown that both an high level of consanguinity amongst cattle and the presence of uterine pathology are two important factors that can cause ipofertility in dairy cattle.
With reference to buffaloes, Avantea has been involved in a national research project on innovative reproductive biotecnologies and in particular on the application of Ovum Pick Up technique to promote the Italian Mediterranean Buffalo.
Publications
Galli C, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lagutina I, Lazzari G. Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle, buffalo and horses: from the research laboratory to clinical practice. Theriogenology. 2014 Jan 1;81(1):138-51.
Hall V, Hinrichs K, Lazzari G, Betts DH, Hyttel P. Early embryonic development, assisted reproductive technologies, and pluripotent stem cell biology in domestic mammals. Vet J. 2013 Aug;197(2):128-42. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.05.026. Epub 2013 Jun 27. Review.
Puglisi R, Cambuli C, Capoferri R, Giannino L, Lukaj A, Duchi R, Lazzari G, Galli C, Feligini M, Galli A, Bongioni G. Differential gene expression in cumulus oocyte complexes collected by ovum pick up from repeat breeder and normally fertile Holstein Friesian heifers. Anim Reprod Sci. 2013 Sep;141(1-2):26-33. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2013.07.003. Epub 2013 Jul 17.
Lazzari G, Colleoni S, Duchi R, Galli A, Houghton FD, Galli C. Embryonic genotype and inbreeding affect preimplantation development in cattle. Reproduction. 2011 May;141(5):625-632.
Lazzari G, Colleoni S, Lagutina I, Crotti G, Turini P, Tessaro I, Brunetti D, Duchi R, Galli C. Short-term and long-term effects of embryo culture in the surrogate sheep oviduct versus in vitro culture for different domestic species. Theriogenology. 2010 Apr 1;73(6):748-57.
See full list of publications
Animal cloning
Somatic cloning technique, better known as somatic cell nuclear transfer, is the procedure by which the nucleus of a cell (obtained from a skin biopsy of the animal to be cloned) is transferred into an oocyte deprived of its nucleus. In this way we obtain an embryo that, transplanted into the uterus of a recipient female, will develop into an animal genetically identical to the donor cell's skin. The cloning allows to produce genetic copies of animals of particular interest.
In addition, cloning may be associated with genetic engineering where the cells used for cloning have been genetically modified. In this case the cloned animal will bring the same genetic modification, and will then be a transgenic animal. This procedure is currently the most widely used to generate large animal models for biomedical research.
After the birth of the first cloned mammal from a somatic cell, Dolly the sheep in 1996, Avantea developed the cloning technique by adapting it to the biological characteristics of the various animal species, generating some of the "first clone" in cattle, horses and swine.
Galileo, first clone in the world of an adult bull
In 1999 at the Laboratory of Reproductive Technology the world's first clone of an adult bull was born: Galileo, a genetic copy of the famous American bull Zoldo. Galileo is not only the first cloned bull but it is also the first clone obtained using lymphocytes, white blood cells, collected from Zoldo. This technique was tested to demonstrate the ability to clone animals also through a simple blood sample.
Prometea, first horse clone in the world
In 2003 Avantea obtained the world record of the first cloned horse, the filly Prometea. This achievement was reported in the scientific paper published in Nature that makes it famous to the scientific community. Prometea is not only the first cloned horse but it also has a second characteristic that makes it unique: it was born from the same horse from which the cells used in nuclear transfer were derived.
First cloned pigs
In 2005, Avantea obtained the first cloned pigs in Italy. Since then, the research activity is focusing on the pig cloning mainly used in biomedical research.
Publications
- Hendriks WK, Colleoni S, Galli C, Paris D, Colenbrander B, Stout TAE. Mitochondrial DNA replication is initiated at blastocyst formation in equine embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2019;31:570-8.
- Perota A, Lagutina I, Duchi R, Zanfrini E, Lazzari G, Judor JP, et al. Generation of cattle knockout for galactose-alpha1,3-galactose and N-glycolylneuraminic acid antigens. Xenotransplantation. 2019:e12524.
- Loi P, Galli C, Lazzari G, Matsukawa K, Fulka J, Jr., Goeritz F, et al. Development to term of sheep embryos reconstructed after inner cell mass/trophoblast exchange. J Reprod Dev. 2018;64:187-91.
- Hildebrandt TB, Hermes R, Colleoni S, Diecke S, Holtze S, Renfree MB, et al. Embryos and embryonic stem cells from the white rhinoceros. Nat Commun. 2018;9:2589.
- Hendriks WK, Colleoni S, Galli C, Paris D, Colenbrander B, Stout TAE. Mitochondrial DNA replication is initiated at blastocyst formation in equine embryos. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2018.
- Claes A, Cuervo-Arango J, van den Broek J, Galli C, Colleoni S, Lazzari G, et al. Factors affecting the likelihood of pregnancy and embryonic loss after transfer of cryopreserved in vitro produced equine embryos. Equine Vet J. 2018.
- Ruggeri E, DeLuca KF, Galli C, Lazzari G, DeLuca JG, Stokes JE, et al. Use of Confocal Microscopy to Evaluate Equine Zygote Development After Sperm Injection of Oocytes Matured In Vivo or In Vitro. Microsc Microanal. 2017;23:1197-206.
- C G. Achievements and unmet promises of assisted reproduction technologies in large animals: a personal perspective. Animal Reproduction. 2017;14:614-21.
- Walter J, Colleoni S, Lazzari G, Fortes C, Grossmann J, Roschitzki B, et al. Developmental Competence of Equine Oocytes is Associated with Alterations in their Cumulus Proteome. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;41:77-8.
- Saragusty J, Diecke S, Drukker M, Durrant B, Friedrich Ben-Nun I, Galli C, et al. Rewinding the process of mammalian extinction. Zoo Biol. 2016;35:280-92.
- Sanchez R, Herrera C, Blanco M, Rosati I, Lazzari G, Colleoni S, et al. In Vitro Production of Equine Embryos by Ovum Pick Up and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in Young Mares. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;41:77.
- Galli C, Colleoni S, Duchi R, Lazzari G. Male Factors Affecting the Success of Equine In Vitro Embryo Production by Ovum Pickup-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection in a Clinical Setting. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;43, Supplement:S6-S10.
- Galli C, Colleoni S, Claes A, Beitsma M, Deelen C, Necchi D, et al. Overnight shipping of equine oocytes from remote locations to an ART laboratory enables access to the flexibility of Ovum Pick Up-ICSI and embryo cryopreservation technologies. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;41:82.
- Colleoni S, Lazzari G, Duchi R, Baca Castex C, Mari G, Lagutina I, et al. Fertilization and development of oocytes after ICSI with semen of stallions with different in vivo fertility. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;32:408-9.
- Claes A, Galli C, Colleoni S, Necchi D, Lazzari G, Deelen C, et al. Factors influencing oocyte recovery and in-vitro production of equine embryos in a commercial OPU/ICSI program. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 2016;41:68-9.
- Ruggeri E, DeLuca KF, Galli C, Lazzari G, DeLuca JG, Carnevale EM. Cytoskeletal alterations associated with donor age and culture interval for equine oocytes and potential zygotes that failed to cleave after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Reprod Fertil Dev. 2015;27:944-56.
- Abeni F, Capelletti M, Terzano GM, Federici C, Speroni M, Petrera F, Dal Prà A, Galli C, Duchi R, Lazzari G, Pirlo G, Aleandri R. Plasma estrone sulfate, clinical biochemistry, and milk yield of dairy cows carrying a fetus from a bull or its clone. Theriogenology. 2014 Jul 23. pii: S0093-691X(14)00356-2. doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2014.07.015. [Epub ahead of print]
- Rossi B, Merlo B, Colleoni S, Iacono E, Tazzari PL, Ricci F, Lazzari G, Galli C. Isolation and in Vitro Characterization of Bovine Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells at Different Trimesters of Pregnancy. Stem Cell Rev. 2014 Oct;10(5):712-24. doi: 10.1007/s12015-014-9525-0.
- Galli C, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lagutina I, Lazzari G. Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle, buffalo and horses: from the research laboratory to clinical practice. Theriogenology. 2014 Jan 1;81(1):138-51.
- Galli C, Colleoni S, Turini P, Crotti G, Dieci C, Lodde V, Luciano AM, Lazzari G Holding equine oocytes at room temperature for 18 hours prior to in vitro maturation maintains their developmental competence Journal of Equine Veterinary Science Volume 34, Issue 1 , Pages 174-175, January 2014
- Galli C, Lagutina I, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lazzari G. Cloning of Equines. In: Cibelli J GJ, Wilmut I, Lanza M, West MD, Campbell KS, editor. Principles of Cloning. second edition ed. Amsterdam: Elsevier Academic Press; 2014. p. 287-97.
- Galli C, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lagutina I, Lazzari G. Ovum pick up, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and somatic cell nuclear transfer in cattle, buffalo and horses: from the research laboratory to clinical practice. Theriogenology. 2014 Jan 1;81(1):138-51.
Dieci C, Lodde V, Franciosi F, Lagutina I, Tessaro I, Modina SC, Albertini DF, Lazzari G, Galli C, Luciano AM.The effect of cilostamide on gap junction communication dynamics, chromatin remodeling, and competence acquisition in pig oocytes following parthenogenetic activation and nuclear transfer. Biol Reprod. 2013 Sep 27;89(3):68. doi: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.110577. Print 2013 Sep.
Lagutina I, Fulka H, Lazzari G, Galli C Interspecies somatic cell nuclear transfer: advancements and problems. Cell Reprogram. 2013 Oct;15(5):374-84. doi: 10.1089/cell.2013.0036. Epub 2013 Sep 13.
Lauri A, Lazzari G, Galli C, Lagutina I, Genzini E, Braga F, Mariani P, Williams JL. Assessment of MDA efficiency for genotyping using cloned embryo biopsies. Genomics.2013 Jan;101(1):24-9.
Lagutina I, Zakhartchenko V, Fulka H, Colleoni S, Wolf E, Fulka J, Lazzari G, Galli C. Formation of nucleoli in interspecies nuclear transfer embryos derived from bovine, porcine and rabbit oocytes and nuclear donor cells of various species. Reproduction. 2011 Jan 14.
Lagutina I, Fulka H, Brevini TA, Antonini S, Brunetti D, Colleoni S, Gandolfi F, Lazzari G, Fulka J Jr, Galli C. Development, embryonic genome activity and mitochondrial characteristics of bovine-pig inter-family nuclear transfer embryos. Reproduction. 2010 Aug. 140(2):273-85.
Galli C, Lagutina I, Duchi R, Colleoni S, Lazzari G. Somatic cell nuclear transfer in horses. Reprod Domest Anim 2008;43 Suppl 2: 331-337. Full text.
Clicca qui per vedere tutte le pubblicazioni