SUCCESSFUL NONSURGICAL COLLECTION OF MACACA-MULATTA EMBRYOS

A nonsurgical flushing technique was used to recover preimplantation embryos from the rhesus uterus. Natural breeding was allowed from Day 9 (Day 1 = first day of observed menses) of the menstrual cycle until 2 d following urinary estradiol peak. Nonsurgical uterine flushes were conducted four to 6 d following predicted ovulation. The females were anesthetized and positioned in sternal recumbency with the hind quarters elevated. With one finger inserted into the rectum, a blunt trocar was guided through the cervix. The trocar was then removed and polyethylene tubing was threaded through the cell sampler to extend past its distal end into the anterior portion of the uterus. Flushing medium was injected through the tubing which washed the uterine body and flowed out of the cell sampler into a collection dish. Recovered embryos were evaluated for devlopmental stage. A total of 176 nonsurgical embryo collections were performed on 38 females. Seventy-five embryos (ranging from 16-cell to hatched blastocyst stage), 27 unfertilized ova and five empty zona pellucidae were found (58% recovery rate). Most of the embryos (n = 29) were compact morulae and early blastocysts. This nonsurgical collection procedure was found to be an efficient means of harvesting uterine-stage embryos from rhesus females. © 1990.