Embryo Transfer is the process by which the embryo donor is bred with fresh, cooled or frozen semen then her uterus is lavaged 6 - 9 days post ovulation to obtain the embryo(s).  The day chosen to flush is dependent on mare age, previous flush history and type of semen.  The embryo(s) is(are) transferred directly into a recipient mare, shipped to another recipient mare herd to be transferred or can be cryopreserved (frozen).  We offer 5 recipient mare options for embryo transfer:

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• KsCER recipient mares

  • KsCER has a herd of about 40 recipient mares

  • Similar success rates as an external recipient mare herd
     

• Shipping to an external commercial recipient mare herd

  • Can be sent to any receiving facility​

  • Our best historical success rates have been from two facilities located in Whitesboro, TX (> 85% transfer and foaling rates)

    • Direct flights are offered from Kansas City to Dallas, typically allowing for transfer within 8 hours of collection​

    • Courier services are typically utilized to transport the embryo to the airport, then flown counter to counter and a second courier utilized to transport the embryo to the receiving facility

  • Large numbers of recipient mares are available at these facilities

  • ​Note that courier fees, airline fees and receiving facility fees will be incurred with successful obtainment of an embryo

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• Transferring into a client recipient mare

  • KsCER recommends at least 2 - 3 recipient mares per donor mare cycle​

  • This can be less expensive than utilizing a commercial recipient mare if

    • An embryo is obtained on the first cycle of breeding 

    • That embryo results in a successful pregnancy in the recipient mare

    • The time frame between the initiation of breeding management and flushing of the embryo occurs in a timely manner

  • If all the criteria above are not met, this can become the most expensive option​

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• Sending embryo to a specialized cryopreservation facility for freezing

  • Embryo is flushed and sent to a specialty facility​

  • ​Note that courier fees, airline fees and receiving facility fees will be incurred with successful obtainment of an embryo

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• Flushing a donor mare

  • If breeding is performed at a separate facility, we can flush the donor mare

  • This requires close collaboration between the vet performing the breeding, the KsCER team​ and the recipient herd

    • Communication should begin well in advance of the cycle of breeding​
       

We always use new equipment for our embryo flushes to help eliminate the possibility of embryotoxic residue or microorganisms left following the resterilization process.  This approach enables our team to achieve higher success rates.

​KsCER offers embryo transfer services in packages that include all of the typical procedures needed for the average embryo transfer cycle.  These packages are priced on a per cycle basis, details of each are listed below.

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KsCER Breeding Packages (select links below for more info)

• Fresh or Chilled Breeding Package

  • Donor mares are flushed on average 7 - 8 days after ovulation​

• ​Frozen Semen Breeding Package – Timed AI

  • Donor mares are flushed on average 8 - 9 days after ovulation​

• Frozen Semen Breeding Package – Every 4-6 Hour Monitoring

  • Donor mares are flushed on average 8 - 9 days after ovulation​​

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Embryo Flush Package includes

• ≤ 8 L (four 2 L bags) embryo flush fluid (additional 2L bags are charged per bag)

  • Majority of flushes require ≤ 8 L of fluid.  Examples of flushes that require more than 8 L of fluid: 

    • Mares with extremely large uterus

    • Flushes with large amounts of blood or debris

    • Mares with cervices more open than desired

• Sedation for embryo flush procedure

• Oxytocin during the flush

• PGF2α injection after the flush

• Processing of the embryo for shipment or transfer

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Recommendations for client-owned recipient mares

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• Breeding Soundness Exams (BSEs) are recommended for all client recipient mares

• Proper synchrony between the recipient mares and the donor is of utmost importance for successful embryo transfer.  Hormonal manipulation is commonly required to obtain ovulation synchrony between the donor and recipient mares.  Even with hormonal manipulation, the probability of ovulation synchrony is low with a single recipient mare due to a number of variables.  As a result, KsCER recommends a minimum of 2 - 3 recipient mares per donor cycle.

• Monitoring frequency of client owned recipient mares and the donor mare is typically more intensive than when a commercial recipient mare herd is utilized.  We recommend the donor and recipient mares be located at KsCER.

• No additional fee is charged in the embryo flush package if multiple embryos are obtained

• Culture of the uterus may be recommended prior to the 1st cycle of breeding depending on breeding history and examination findings

• Culture of the uterus will be recommended during the next estrus (heat) period following an embryo flush

• All packages are charged on a per cycle basis

• It is highly recommended that all recipient mare(s) is/are evaluated by a veterinarian following pickup from the recipient herd to confirm continued pregnancy and to evaluate for need of a Caslicks. These examinations as well as progesterone monitoring are sometimes required by the recipient herd.