Implanting embryos

[firesweepranch]

So, I have question if anyone has experience in this area; Our embryologist was out a few days ago to put in an embryo. We have been using this guy for several years, he is really good (but has his faults too, like anyone else in life). Seems they are packing embryos a little different than the old days, with a special top on them. Twice now, when the vet puts the frozen straw in his thermos, the bottom of the straw blows out and the embryo is killed (these are purchased embryos). This has only happened with the new style of straws, and he said it is caused by when they pack the straw to freeze, a small amount of liquid nitrogen is caught in the top where the cap goes. When the straw is thawed, the pressure of that Nitrogen thawing causes the straw to explode out the bottom.

Has anyone else heard of this happening? It is tough to lose that money, these straws are not replaced because each purchase comes with a guarantee of one pregnancy, and we get that each time so far, sometimes all three stick! Not happy about it, but is there anything that can be done? Anyone else having this problem?

 

[rmbcows]

I'm no expert on this, but I did have a straw of rather pricey semen blow up on me once.  When I mentioned it to the bull stud where it was purchased, the gladly replaced it, without any questions asked.  Made me believe it could be faulty freezing techniques or I would think they'd have asked more questions as to what I'd done to make it blow up.  I really expected a sorry about your bad luck, so maybe you should ask the seller of the embryo's.  If nothing else, they should know whoever is doing their embryo work needs to be more careful. 

 

[xxcc]

When I learned to AI, I was taught that if you had semen with any age on it ( and really it wasn't that bad of a habit for EVRY unit) to just kind of flick the straw, not with your hand, but with a flick if the wrist, to shake the 'nitrogen frost' out of the straw for exactly that reasons. Just kinda shake it out in one quit movement while going from the tank to the thawing hath. And I was told to do that technique to avoid exactly what has been described here..  ....sound like what you are trying to remedy? ...or a reasonable solution?

 

[cjr]

If your guy would take the plastic part of a 12cc syringe case (the part the syringe comes in with the lid) cut a small hole out of the lid big enough to hold the DT straw and fill it with holding media it will sit nicely in the thaw unit that has water in it..if the embryo straw blows out the embryo will be caught in that holding media then he can get his microscope out dump the media in a petree dish to find the embryo...that way it's not lost or killed in Water...jmo

 

[Cowboy]

With semen , XXCC is exactly right. I learned from the best old Vet at Midwest Breeders in 1975 no less. When they came out with straws in the late 70's, we were all told to Flick it once away from you before going in the water. This throws any absorbed Ln2 away from the wick of the straw, and they won't blow up. It really does work well.

HOWEVER -- it is a little different with embryos straws. These are loaded with three or more columns of media, one holding the embryo in the center. It is imperative that those columns are maintained. I never use a PLUG to seal these straws, I heat seal the end and then slip an extension over that to document it. At thaw, you need to AIR thaw for 4-5 seconds, as this will gradually evaporate any Ln2 help in the wick end before going to water. I have had many many straws loaded as you mention blow up no matter what you do. 2 reasons -- Not enough air between the columns, and not properly sealed.  I have never had a heat sealed straw blow up. The straws that are sealed with a plug pushed into the straw end, they need to have extra air in them to start as it compresses with the plug insertion. I have never liked those, but many many people use them.

Good luck from here on, I am sure your guy knows, but just tell him to let them have a second or two longer air thaw before going to water -- that should help some. I have had those blow out even before going into water -- not a good deal.  CJR just had a good though as well, if all else fails, do as he said -- that does work but we should never have to go there!

Terry

 

[Bulldaddy]

I had that happen last month with both a semen straw and an embryo straw.  First time ever.  I don't think it is very common or worth worry about.