Assisted reproductive technologies in Microtus genus

• Published in: Reproductive medicine and biology Vol. 18; no. 2; pp. 121 - 127
• Main Authors: Okada, Konosuke, Kageyama, Atsuko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01-04-2019; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Analysis; Artificial insemination; assisted reproductive technology; Biodiversity; Cryopreservation; Embryo transfer; Embryonic development; Embryos; Endangered & extinct species; Environmental impact; Females; gamete; herbivorous rodent; In vitro fertilization; Laboratory animals; Microtus; Microtus montebelli; Motility; Ovulation; Reproductive technologies; Reproductive technology; Review; Species; Sperm; vole; Wildlife conservation; assisted reproductive technology; herbivorous rodent; vole; Microtus montebelli; gamete
• ISSN: 1445-5781; 1447-0578
• DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12244

Background
Microtus genus is one of the experimental animals showing unique characteristics, and some species have been used as various research models. In order to advance the utilization of Microtus genus, the development of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) is a key point. This review introduces recent progress in the development of ARTs for Microtus genus, especially Microtus montebelli (Japanese field vole).
Methods
Based on previous and our publications, current status of the development of ARTs was summarized.
Results
In M. montebelli, ARTs, such as superovulation, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, embryo transfer, sperm cryopreservation, and nonsurgical artificial insemination, have considerably been established by using the procedures which were originally devised for mice and partly modified. However, when the methods for M. montebelli were applied to Microtus arvalis and Microtus rossiaemeridionalis, all protocols of ARTs except for sperm cryopreservation were technologically invalid.
Conclusion
Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are considerably established in M. montebelli, and this fact allows this species to be potentially useful as a model animal. However, since ART protocols of M. montebelli are mostly invalid for other species of the Microtus genus, it is necessary to improve them specifically for each of other species.
Most of ARTs have been successfully established in M. montebelli, while different results were obtained among species of the Microtus genus. Thus, it will be necessary to improve for each species based on the results obtained with mice and M. montebelli.