New developments reproductive technologies in deer.

In vitro embryo production is the platform for advanced reproductive technologies, such as cloning. The in vitro embryo production system developed for farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) evolved along similar lines to that pioneered by other domestic species researchers. However, applying existing in vitro embryo production methods from these other species resulted in limited success and has necessitated developing a species-specific methodology for red deer based on the their physiology. Analysis of oviduct fluid led to the development of a semi-defined fertilization and culture media system, Deer Synthetic Oviduct Fluid (DSOF), which resulted in successful culture of red deer embryos to the blastocyst stage. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian examination and ovum pickup has enabled the study of seasonality constraint and propagation from selected female genetics, respectively. During the 4-month breeding season (April-July), 15% of cleaved oocytes developed to blastocysts, whereas no blastocysts developed from oocytes collected after July. The process of developing an in vitro embryo production system for farmed red deer may serve as a beneficial model for the propagation of endangered cervine species. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Inc.