First pregnancies established from vitrified blastocysts in vitro produced from Ovum Pick-up derived oocytes in Italian Mediterranean Buffalo cows.

The Ovum Pick-up (OPU) technology and in vitro embryo production was applied in a buffalo farm in order to verify the capacity of vitrified embryos to establish pregnancies. 21 blastocysts were in vitro produced by using 245 COCs recovered in 7 sessions of OPU. 15 synchronized buffalo heifers were used as recipients for 7 blastocysts (transferred fresh) and 8 blastocysts (vitrified and transferred after warming). 3 pregnancies were diagnosed at 45 days after transfer of vitrified embryos. Unfortunately one of these was interrupted at 50 days. This is the first report of pregnancy from vitrified embryos entirely produced in vitro.