The team involved in any animal-assisted reproduction process is made up, at a minimum, of a veterinarian specialized in reproduction and an embryologist. In the case of cloning, there is also a research team behind it.
The veterinarian, in this process, is responsible for monitoring the mare’s general health before, during, and after pregnancy; performing ultrasounds to monitor the healthy development of the future foal, and establishing guidelines for each stage of the process. They are also the person we, as clients, turn to when we detect any problem or anomaly in the pregnant mare.
And what does the embryologist do? This professional, whom we almost never get to meet personally, is a biologist specialized in assisted reproduction, and their work is the foundation of the process. It could be said, in simple terms, that they are responsible for the cloning — the one who works their ‘magic’ so that you can have a replica of your favorite animal.
Cloning differs from conventional assisted reproduction techniques in that it is an asexual reproduction technique using a somatic cell and an enucleated oocyte.
Functions of the embryologist in animal cloning:
- Analyze, culture, and develop somatic cells with the DNA load
- Extract the nucleus from an oocyte
- Introduce the nuclear DNA into the empty oocyte
- Monitor embryo formation
- Culture the embryo and supervise its development
- Classify the final embryos according to their quality
- Control the conservation of the embryos
- Ensure the environmental conditions of the laboratory
- Calibrate the equipment
- Vitrify and devitrify the embryos
Undoubtedly, the embryologist is present in almost every phase of the process. The work of a skilled embryology professional is essential to the success of cloning. That is why at Ovoclone, we have the best team of embryologists who, together with our veterinarians and researchers, ensure that everything goes smoothly so that you can enjoy, with confidence, a foal that mirrors that elegant, powerful, skillful, or capable animal.
