Effect of Antibiotic Treatment of Mares Prior to Transvaginal Follicle Aspiration on Embryo Development After in Vitro Oocyte Maturation and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Transvaginal follicle aspiration (TVA) is commonly utilized to obtain oocytes from live mares for assisted fertilization techniques, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Ovarian abscess formation after multiple TVAs has been reported, although the incidence is low. Prophylactic administration of antibiotics before follicle aspiration might minimize the possibility of ovarian infection; however, since oocytes are exposed to frank blood during the aspiration procedure, our hypothesis was that systemic antibiotics may decrease the viability of aspirated oocytes. This study examined embryo development after ICSI of immature oocytes recovered from mares treated with systemic antibiotics before the TVA procedure. The study was done in December through February, to provide information for the next breeding season. [...]