Cooled transported embryos, how does it work?
Bringing the embryo to a professional embryo transfer center with a large number of recipient mares ensures that the embryo is placed in the most suitable recipient mare that day, giving the embryo the best chance of survival. At ETC Hans Smet we have a surplus of recipient mares available every day of the week. This extra margin allows us to select the mare with the best chance of getting pregnant. This approach allows us to consistently achieve very high pregnancy rates and is in the best interest of the embryo.
Are transported embryos a good idea?
Transporting embryos from the donor mare to a specialised embryo transfer centre is a technique that has been used for more than 30 years and has been perfected over the years. Today, transplanted embryos achieve the same high pregnancy rates and the technique is considered equally successful but much more practical than direct transplantation of a fresh embryo into a 'local' less-than-perfect recipient mare. Several reports, including studies in Belgium and the Netherlands, have clearly shown that the transported embryo technique is a reliable, efficient and highly successful method. At our embryo transfer centre, over 80% of embryos are collected elsewhere and transferred to us with excellent pregnancy results.
Bringing the embryo to ETC Hans Smet, how does that work?
We work closely with veterinarians who perform embryo flushing. We communicate with your vet to ensure that the embryos are collected at the optimum time and to advise on the correct conditioning and transport of the embryos. Embryo collection is usually carried out in the morning and the embryos are transported by HippoXpress to arrive at our facility within 12 hours of embryo flushing. The embryo is transported in a suitable container by the owner or by the professional horse semen and embryo courier service. HippoXpress offers a very convenient door-to-door delivery service and guarantees same day delivery to our embryo transfer centre from Belgium, the Netherlands and parts of Germany and France, 7 days a week from March to September, including public holidays. For more information on insemination, embryo flushing and embryo transport from your location to our facilities, please contact your local vet or the stallion/insemination centre of your choice.
Is selection of the recipient mare important?
The selection of the recipient mare is crucial for the success of the transfer, the normal course of the pregnancy and the health of the foal. We attach great importance to a rigorous selection of our recipient mares and only admit the very best.
How do I reserve a recipient mare for my embryo?
Once the donor mare has ovulated, it is imperative that you (or your vet) contact us to reserve a recipient mare. Embryo flushing is performed 7 or 8 days after ovulation. To determine the correct day for collection, consider the day of ovulation as day 0 and count from the following day (=Day 1). For example, if the donor mare ovulated on a Wednesday, the donor mare can be flushed the following week on Wednesday (7 days later), but preferably on Thursday (8 days later). You (or your vet) can contact usby phone, or by e-mail. Make sure you receive confirmation that your booking has reached us. On the day of the embryo collection, we ask you (or your vet) to contact us as soon as possible with the result of the embryo collection, so that we can reserve the recipient mare for you and make the necessary preparations.