The team involved in any animal-assisted reproduction process consists, at a minimum, of a veterinarian specialised in reproduction and an embryologist. In the case of cloning, there is also a research team behind it.
In this process, the veterinarian is responsible for monitoring the mare’s overall health before, during, and after pregnancy; performing ultrasounds to ensure the proper development of the future foal; and setting the guidelines for each stage of the process. The veterinarian is also the person we, as clients, turn to when we detect any problem or abnormality in the pregnant mare.
And what does the embryologist do? This professional, whom we almost never get to know personally, is a biologist specialised in assisted reproduction, and their work is the foundation of the process. In short, one could say that they are responsible for the cloning – the one who works their ‘magic’ so that you can have a replica of your favourite animal.
Cloning differs from conventional assisted reproduction techniques in that it is an asexual reproduction method using a somatic cell and an enucleated oocyte.
Functions of the embryologist in animal cloning
- To analyse, culture, and develop somatic cells with the DNA load
- To extract the nucleus from an oocyte
- To introduce the nuclear DNA into the enucleated oocyte
- To supervise the formation of the embryo
- To culture the embryo and supervise its development
- To classify the final embryos according to their quality
- To control the preservation of the embryos
- To ensure the environmental conditions of the laboratory
- To calibrate the equipment
Vitrification and devitrification of embryos
Undoubtedly, the embryologist is present in almost every stage of the process. The work of a good embryology professional is essential for 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 full guarantees, a foal in the image and likeness of that elegant, powerful, skilful, or capable specimen.