2018 Statistics of embryo production and transfer in domestic farm animals
Embryo industry on a new level: over one million embryos produced in vitro
By Joao Viana, Chair – IETS Data Retrieval Committee ([email protected])
In: Embryo Technology Newsletter, v. 36, n.4, 2019
1. Executive summary
The International Embryo Transfer Society (IETS) Data Retrieval Committee presents the 28th annual report on the data collected
globally during 2019 for embryo transfer (ET) activities in 2018. No major change was observed in the number of countries submitting data this
year (21%; Table 1). In spite of the efforts of this committee, recovering data from Asia remains a challenge and the lack of numbers from Japan
in the past two years certainly contributed to blurry local trends in the embryo industry. On the other hand, we have comprehensive data from
most European and American countries where livestock is economically relevant. Thus, the numbers presented in this report are likely to
represent the main trends for the world ET activity.
Table 1. Number and proportion of countries submitting ET data, by region and species
Region
Cattle
Other (IVD + IVP)
% countries
IVD
IVP
Horses
Sheep
Goats
within region
Africa
2
1
0
1
1
3.7% (02/54)
Asia
1
0
0
0
0
2.1% (01/48)
Europe
24
14
10
7
2
55.3% (26/47)
North America
3
3
3
3
3
100.0% (03/03)
Oceania
1
1
0
1
0
7.1% (01/14)
South America
5
10
2
2
1
27.8% (10/36)
Total
36
29
15
14
7
21.3% (43/209)
* Cervids, buffalo
The numbers of the world embryo industry in 2018 for the four most representative farm animal species are summarized in Tables 1
(total embryo production/collection) and 2 (numbers of transferred embryos). Cattle is by far the species in which embryo technologies are
mostly used, with 1,499,367 transferrable embryos collected or produced in 2018 (96.7%). There was a relative stabilization in total ET activity
in this species compared with 2017 (+0.8%), in contrast with a previous period of consistent growth from 2014 to 2017 (overall +23.4%). The
main trends observed in 2017 were seen again this year: decrease (-5.1%) in the number of in vivo-derived (IVD) and increase (+2.6%) in in
vitro-produced (IVP) embryos.
Over one million IVP bovine embryos were recorded in 2018, accounting for 68.7% of the total. Among the 43 countries with cattle ET
data, 29 (67.4%) reported the use of in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Although this technology was the main source of embryos in only 18
(41.9%) countries, these countries accounted for 85.7% of all embryos produced worldwide. The predominance of IVP over IVD embryos varied
according to region, being more frequent in North and South American countries (11/13, 84.6%) than in Europe (6/25, 24%).
The trend of increasing the use of in vitro technologies was not restricted to cattle. Although the majority of embryos from other species
are still IVD, the number of IVP embryos recorded increased +675.8% in sheep, +1,241.0% in goats, and +85.6% in horses, leaded by different
countries (Spain, South Africa, and Italy, respectively). Another reflect of this trend was a greater increase in the use of embryo sexing and
genotyping in IVP than in IVD embryos, compared with the year 2017 (+447.9% and +429.8% vs. +8.3% and -15.6%%; respectively).
The decrease in the number of collected IVD embryos followed the trend observed over the past decade. However, superovulation is still
used by 79.0% of the countries reporting ET data, and most of the embryos exported worldwide were IVD (87.9 for bovine and 100.0% for
sheep). The majority of IVD embryos were from North America (57.5%) and Europe (30.0%).
Table 2. Total transferrable IVD and IVP embryos in 2018 in cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, according to region.
Region
Cattle
Horses
Sheep
Goats
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
Africa
6,651
3,741
0
0
3,325
0
100
660
Asia
162
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
141,209
61,816
1,395
2,107
3,661
457
227
158
North America
270,187
503,718
1,149
0
2,158
0
8,075
0
Oceania
4,445
11,997
0
0
2,970
0
0
0
South America
47,313
448,128
18,768
346
5,239
55
402
0
Total
469,967
1,029,400
21,312
2,453
17,353
512
8,804
818
A total of 1,129,041 bovine embryos were transferred in 2018. Most IVP embryos were transferred fresh (73.2%); however, the
proportion of frozen IVP embryos transferred in 2018 decreased compared with 2017 (26.8 vs. 33.9%, respectively), breaking a tendency
observed since 2013. On the other hand, more IVD frozen-thawed embryos were transferred (60.1%) compared with IVD fresh, with no changes
in this percentage compared with last year. In spite of leading IVEP, the proportion of total IVP embryos that were actually transferred in North
America was lower than in South America (59.0% vs. 86.9%, respectively) and, thus, South America remains as the region where more IVP
embryos are transferred (390,297). In all regions, IVP embryos were transferred predominantly fresh (overall 73.2%).
Table 3. Transfers of IVD and IVP embryos in 2018 in cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, according to region.
Region
Cattle
Horses
Sheep
Goats
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
Africa
6,931
1,948
0
0
3,725
0
100
0
Asia
171
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
125,991
42,843
1,247
762
3,932
303
26
158
North America
204,287
297,094
2,587
0
1,781
0
7,411
0
Oceania
2,682
10,726
0
0
2,762
0
0
0
South America
46,071
390,297
18,661
318
5,310
55
462
0
Total
386,133
742,908
22,495
1,080
17,510
358
7,999
158
In summary, ET data for the year 2018 demonstrate less dramatic changes, in comparison with the past few years. The world embryo
industry reached a new level of circa 1.5 million embryos produced per year, with the number of IVP embryos accounting for 2/3 of the total in
cattle, and also increasing in other species. The main movements of ET activity, regarding global distribution, species, livestock sector involved,
and use of cryopreservation were shaped by the potentials, flaws, and challenges of IVEP, compared with the collection of IVD embryos.
2. Introduction
The Data Retrieval Committee (DRC) is the committee of the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS) in charge of gathering,
organizing, and publishing the statistics of the embryo industry in domestic farm animals. This year we present our 28
th
annual report showing
data on global activities related to in vivo and in vitro embryo collection and transfer in 2018. The results shown in the present report will be
discussed during the Committee meeting, schedule for the next IETS meeting, in New York, NY, USA, and will support further decisions and
strategies for the DRC in the following years.
3. Methodology
Data collection followed the standard methodology used in previous reports, as described by Perry (2014). In summary, embryo
technology activity was either reported for each country by a national data collector or reported individually by practitioners or representatives
of commercial companies (e.g. in vitro embryo production [IVEP] laboratories). In several countries, the data collector is linked to the national
embryo transfer/technology association: Argentina (Sociedad Argentina de Tecnologias Embrionarias, SATE), Brazil (Sociedade Brasileira de
Tecnologia de Embriões, SBTE), Canada (Canadian Embryo Transfer Association, CETA), Mexico (Mexican Embryo Transfer Society, META),
Peru (Asociación Peruana de Reproducción Animal, ASPRA), the United States (American Embryo Transfer Association, AETA). For the Member
States of the European Union and other European countries, data is submitted by a regional collector on behalf of the Association of Embryo
Technology in Europe (AETE). Data was also reported by ET teams or companies working abroad. In a few countries, this was the only source
of information of embryo activity. In the case of similar data reported by a local representative, however, data coming from such teams or
companies were not used, to avoid double-reporting. The updated list of regional data collectors and local collaborators is shown in Appendix
1.
Data was directly uploaded into the IETS website by the national collector or sent to the Chair of the DRC. The software managing the
database generated MS Excel .csv files with data organized by criteria defined in the data submission form. A summary of the results is shown
in Tables 4 to 14, according to region, technology (in vivo-derived [IVD] or in vitro-produced [IVP]), and species. South American numbers
include those collected from South and Central America countries. Detailed country information will be available in the Appendix 2 to 6. Data
was also used to build historical series, shown in Figures 2 to 4.
4. Results
Data retrieval
The cooperation with national or regional ET associations has been the most important way to gather comprehensive ET data, what
emphasize their importance for the IETS. The countries with well-established ET societies, particularly within Europe and the Americas, have
ensured consistent ET records over the past years. In addition, individual local collectors as well as ET teams or companies that report data
directly to this committee were decisive to recover data from countries without an organized ET society and, thus, to fill-in the gaps in our
survey. In 2018, we obtained ET records from 43 countries (Figure 1), including from the majority of countries in Europe (26/47, 55.3%) and
from all North America (3/3, 100%). In Central and South America, we obtained records from 27.8% (10/36) of the countries, but that includes
those among the most important in livestock production in this region.
Data from Africa and Oceania is clearly underestimated, although representative of the regional trends. New Zealand, for example, has a
well-known ET activity, but reports no data. Nevertheless, the main problem remains the gathering of data from Asia. In this regard, the lack of
records from Japan in the past two years was a major problem, as this country had the most active embryo industry within this region in recent
past. Still, the countries reporting ET data in 2018 accounted for approximately 41.9% of the world cattle population in 2017 (FAO, 2019) and
included nine of the top 10 meat-producing countries and five of the top 10 fresh dairy producers. Thus, the numbers presented in this report
are probably representative of the embryo industry activity worldwide.
Figure 1. World political map showing the countries that submitted 2018 ET data
4.1 Embryo industry in numbers
4.1.1 Cattle, IVD
In 2018, a total of 1,499,367 transferrable embryos were collected or produced, which represents a relative stabilization compared with
2017 (+0.8%). In regard to type of embryo, IVD and IVP embryos represented 31.3% (469,967) and 68.7% (1,029,400) of the total, respectively.
Table 4. Collection of bovine IVD embryos per region
Region/
Flushes
Collected
Country
Ova
Transferrable embryos
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Africa
13
1,526
1,548
148
7,493
7,748
85
6,507
6,651
Asia
42
1
43
239
6
245
156
6
162
Europe
18,425
4,929
23,354
172,950
42,139
215,089
110,865
30,344
141,209
N America
16,069
25,904
41,973
157,462
319,186
476,648
91,693
178,494
270,187
Oceania
0
901
901
0
4,445
4,445
0
4,445
4,445
S America
3,248
5,009
8,257
24,198
44,965
69,163
20,167
27,146
47,313
Total
37,797
38,270
76,076
354,997
418,234
773,338
222,966
246,942
469,967
From the 42 countries reporting ET data, 34 (79.0%) informed the collection of IVD bovine embryos. The number of flushes, ova, and
transferrable embryos collected in 2018 according to region is shown in Table 4. The number of IVD embryos decreased (469,967 vs. 495,054;
-5.1%), compared with 2017, following the tendency observed in the past few years. Interestingly, a non-proportional reduction in the number
of flushes (-1.9%) resulted in a slight reduction in the average number of ova and transferrable embryos per flush (10.2 and 6.2 vs. 10.6 and 6.4
in 2017, respectively). The majority of IVD embryos were from North America (57.5%), leaded by the United States (205,445; 43.7% of total),
followed by Europe (30.0%). These two regions, however, differ in the proportion of collections according to livestock sector. In North America,
66.1% of the embryos are from beef breeds, whereas in Europe 78.5% are from dairy breeds.
Only 6.8% of the IVD embryo donors were inseminated with sex-sorted semen, the vast majority were from dairy breeds (95.3%). The
greatest proportions of use of sex-sorted semen were observed in Poland and Spain (51.3% and 51.0%, respectively).
The transfer of IVD embryos in 2018 is shown in Table 5. The proportion of transfers of fresh vs. frozen-thawed embryos (60.1% vs.
39.9%, respectively) were identical to the observed in 2017, as well as the proportion of total viable embryos that were actually transferred
(82.2%). Transfers of fresh embryos were proportionally more frequent in regions with low ET activity, such as Africa, Asia, and Oceania. In
Europe, North, and South America, the number of transfers of frozen-thawed embryos was always greater than fresh embryos.
Table 5. Transfer of bovine IVD embryos by region
Region/
Fresh
Frozen domestic
Frozen imported
Total
Country
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
ET
Africa
65
3,159
0
34
1,574
0
0
2,099
0
6,931
Asia
146
6
0
19
0
0
0
0
0
171
Europe
36,858
5,415
9,909
50,181
19,177
813
2,634
847
157
125,991
N America
32,851
42,920
139
35,489
92,406
0
61
421
0
204,287
Oceania
0
2,241
0
0
261
0
0
180
0
2,682
S America
9,886
10,347
0
10,218
15,367
0
141
112
0
46,071
Total
79,806
64,088
10,048
95,941
128,785
813
2,836
3,659
157
386,133
4.1.2 Cattle, IVP
The number of countries reporting IVP embryos increased from 25 in 2017 to 29 in 2018. In 18 of those (41.9%) IVEP was the main
source of embryos. These countries accounted for 85.7% of all cattle embryos produced worldwide. The production of embryos in vitro in 2018
is shown in Tables 6 (OPU-collected oocytes) and 7 (abattoir-derived oocytes).
Table 6. Production of embryos in vitro with OPU-collected oocytes by region
Region/
Donors
Oocytes
Transferrable embryos
Country
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Africa
0
621
621
0
18,486
18,486
0
3,741
3,741
Asia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
24,809
4,432
29,241
206,510
36,529
243,039
48,875
11,502
60,377
N America
91,366
27,044
118,410
1,402,896
601,595
2,004,491
311,056
186,455
497,511
Oceania
0
2,056
2,056
0
35,767
35,767
0
11,997
11,997
S America
43,062
35,460
78,522
563,151
693,405
1,256,556
209,286
235,251
444,537
Total
159,237
69,613
228,850
2,172,557
1,385,782
3,558,339
569,217
448,946
1,018,163
The increase in the number of IVP embryos (+2.6%) from 2017 to 2018 was much less dramatic than the rate observed from 2016 to
2017 (+48.9%), but still enough to reach a seven-digit number in 2018, when 1,029,400 IVP embryos were recorded. Once again, the USA was
the country with the greatest number of IVP embryos, which increased this year (451,661 vs. 428,878 in 2017, +5.3%). In contrast, numbers
have stabilized in Brazil (345,126 vs. 345,528 in 2017, -0.1%), increasing the difference between the two countries. Both in USA and in Brazil,
most IVP embryos come from dairy than from beef breeds (53.3% and 62.3%; respectively).
The use of FSH stimulation before ovum pick-up (OPU) was applied mainly in Europe (48.1%) and North America (66.9%). In Canada,
100% of OPUs were preceded by ovarian stimulation. OPU remains the main source of oocytes for in vitro fertilization, accounting for 98.9% of
IVP embryos, whereas the number of embryos produced using abattoir-derived oocytes decreased in 2018 (11,237 vs. 11,756; -4.5%).
Table 7. Production of embryos in vitro with abattoir-derived oocytes by region
Region/
Donors
Oocytes
Transferrable embryos
Country
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Africa
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Asia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
190
1,212
1,402
3,256
6,434
9,690
975
464
1,439
N America
12
10
22
1,182
18,217
19,399
402
5,805
6,207
Oceania
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
S America
38
887
925
190
14,514
14,704
31
3,560
3,591
Total
240
2,109
2,349
4,628
39,165
43,793
1,408
9,829
11,237
The number of transfers of IVP embryos in 2018 is shown in Table 8. As observed in 2017, the proportion of the total IVP embryos that
were actually transferred in North America was lower than in South America (59.0% vs. 86.9%, respectively). Therefore, in spite of the
difference in the number of embryos produced, Brazil remains as the country with the greatest number of transfers of IVP embryos (275,683
vs. 260,193 in the USA). In all regions, IVP embryos were transferred predominantly fresh (overall mean 73.2%).
Table 8. Transfer of bovine IVP embryos by region
Region/
Embryos transferred
Country
OPU
Abattoir
Fresh
Frozen
Total
Fresh
Frozen
Total
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Africa
1,611
337
0
1,948
0
0
0
0
Asia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
22,343
18,599
1,555
42,497
61
285
0
346
N America
201,322
95,431
245
296,998
96
0
0
96
Oceania
10,046
680
0
10,726
0
0
0
0
S America
306,293
81,540
0
387,833
2,343
121
0
2,464
Total
541,615
196,587
1,800
740,002
2,500
406
0
2,906
Data of embryos micro-manipulated for sexing or genotyping in 2018 is shown in Table 11. Changes in numbers of micro-manipulated
embryos seems to follow the general trends observed in the embryo industry. There was a small variation in the number of IVD sexed (+8.3%)
or genotyped (-15.6%) embryos, contrasting with the substantial increase in micromanipulation of IVP embryos (+447.9% and +429.8%,
respectively). Only countries from Europe and North America reported data from micromanipulated embryos, so it is likely that these numbers
may be underestimated.
Table 9. Micro-manipulation of bovine embryos for sexing and/or genotyping
Country
Sexed
Genotyped
IVD
IVP
IVD
IVP
Canada
420
6,114
0
6,110
Finland
0
33
38
33
France
3,054
0
1,642
0
Germany
0
0
310
55
Netherlands
0
0
101
2,708
United States
791
0
373
0
Total
4,265
6,147
2,464
8,906
4.1.3 Other species
The numbers of IVD and IVP embryos reported in 2018 in species other than cattle are shown in Tables 10 (sheep), 11 (goats), 12 (horses)
and 13 (cervids, buffalo).
Table 10. Sheep: IVD and IVP embryo collections and transfers
Region/
IVD Embryos
IVP embryos
Country
Flushes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Donors
Oocytes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Africa
S Africa
505
3,325
2,979
746
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
505
3,325
2,979
746
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Europe
France
7
25
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hungary
5
39
0
0
45
0
0
0
0
0
0
Italy
12
58
58
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Serbia
3
16
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Spain
56
160
34
0
0
39
909
457
303
0
0
Sweden
20
67
0
67
365
0
0
0
0
0
0
UK
537
3.296
3,247
116
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
640
3,661
3,339
183
410
39
909
457
303
0
0
N America
Canada
17
99
17
155
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mexico
164
1,148
850
25
144
0
0
0
0
0
0
USA
193
911
577
9
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
374
2,158
1,444
189
148
0
0
0
0
0
0
Oceania
Australia
495
2,970
2,617
145
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
495
2,970
2,617
145
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
S America
Argentina
112
431
402
0
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
Brazil
618
4,808
3,906
902
0
11
138
55
55
0
0
Total
730
5,239
4,308
902
100
11
138
55
55
0
0
Grand Total
2,744
17,353
14,687
2,165
658
50
1,047
512
358
0
0
In 2018, a small reduction in the number of embryos produced in sheep (18,400 vs. 18,718; -1.7%) was detected. However, the number
of countries reporting data in this species increased (14 vs. 9 in 2017), so data in Table 10 is now stratified by region, similar to the model
adopted for cattle. There was also a noticeable increase in the number of IVP embryos (512 vs. 66 in 2017, +675.8%), with 358 transfers. Brazil
was the country with the highest number of IVD embryos (4,808), thanks for the effort of the local collector in obtaining comprehensive data.
Spain was the leader in the production of embryos in vitro (457).
The goat embryo industry had also developed significantly. In 2018, more countries (n=7) reported data and a greater number of IVD
and IVP embryos were recorded, compared with 2017 (8,804 vs. 3,975 [+121.5%] and 818 vs. 61 [+1,241.0%], respectively). The USA reported
most of the IVD embryos (7,541; 85.7% of the total), but South Africa recorded more IVP embryos (660).
Table 11. Goats: IVD and IVP embryo collections and transfers
Region/
IVD Embryos
IVP embryos
Country
Flushes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Donors
Oocytes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Africa
South Africa
0
100
100
0
0
20
110
660
0
0
0
Total
0
100
100
0
0
20
110
660
0
0
0
Europe
Spain
25
201
0
0
0
6
1,710
158
108
50
0
UK
3
26
26
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
28
227
26
0
0
6
1,710
158
108
50
0
N America
Canada
18
40
8
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mexico
76
494
425
45
85
0
0
0
0
0
0
USA
1,052
7,541
5,672
1,172
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
1,146
8,075
6,105
1,221
85
0
0
0
0
0
0
S America
Brazil
104
402
223
239
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
104
402
223
239
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Grand Total
1,278
8,804
6,454
1,460
85
26
1,820
818
108
50
0
The horse embryo industry also increased, although variations were lower than those for small ruminants. More countries reported data
(n=15; +25%), and more IVD (21,312; +2.4%) and IVP (2,453; +85.6%) embryos were recorded, compared with 2017. In 2018, IVP embryos
accounted for 11.5% of all horse embryos, almost twice as much as last year (6.4%). Brazil and Italy remain the countries that record more IVD
and IVP horse embryos (18,764 and 1,431; respectively).
Table 12. Horses: IVD and IVP embryo collections and transfers
Region/
IVD Embryos
IVP embryos
Country
Flushes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Donors
Oocytes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Europe
France
1,315
736
818
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
Italy
309
211
0
0
0
1,062
12,605
1,431
65
352
0
Netherlands
281
157
160
0
0
456
5,933
664
38
20
273
Poland
5
4
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Portugal
211
84
76
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Russian Fed.
26
18
8
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Spain
170
93
91
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Sweden
23
15
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Switzerland
90
42
22
1
0
68
191
12
0
4
0
UK
65
35
43
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
2,495
1,395
1,235
12
0
1,586
18,729
2,107
113
376
273
N America
Canada
37
15
15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Mexico
75
29
29
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
USA
1,816
1,105
1,952
591
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
1,928
1,149
1,996
591
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
S America
Brazil
29,152
18,764
18,657
0
0
128
1,150
346
318
0
0
Ecuador
5
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
29,157
18,768
18,661
0
0
128
1,150
346
318
0
0
Grand Total
33,580
21,312
21,892
603
0
1,714
19,879
2,453
431
376
273
Unfortunately, in 2018 we had no record of ET activity in swine or camelids and only Argentina recorded embryos from cervids, which
probably does not reflect the real scenario. ET in buffalo was reported by Romania (IVD) and Italy (IVP) only.
Table 13. Other species: IVD and IVP embryo collections and transfers
Region/
IVD Embryos
IVP embryos
Country
Flushes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Donors
Oocytes
Embryos
Embryo transfer
Fresh
Frozen
Fresh
Frozen
Domestic
Foreign
Domestic
Foreign
Cervids
Argentina
8
38
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Buffalo
Italy
0
0
0
0
0
2
49
21
27
0
0
Romania
3
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Total
3
6
0
0
0
2
49
21
27
0
0
4.1.4 Exports
The number of embryos exported are shown in Table 14. In 2018, a total of 32,746 bovine embryos (IVD+IVP) were exported, with no
significant change compared with 2017 (-0.3%). On the other hand, exports of sheep embryos increased 34.3%, leaded by Canada. Most of the
exported embryos are IVD (87.9 for bovine and 100% for sheep).
Table 14. Countries exporting embryos
Region/
Bovine
Sheep
Country
IVD
IVP
IVD
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
OPU
Abattoir
Africa
Rep South Africa
0
253
0
0
0
124
Total
0
253
0
0
0
124
Europe
Austria
40
9
0
0
0
0
Belgium
20
900
0
0
0
0
Denmark
36
0
0
0
0
0
France
637
351
0
88
0
0
Germany
81
0
0
0
0
0
Italy
0
0
0
0
0
0
Norway
18
38
0
0
0
0
Spain
50
0
0
0
0
0
Switzerland
61
0
0
0
0
0
United Kingdom
0
0
63
0
0
0
Total
943
1,298
63
88
0
0
N America
Canada
4,524
4,076
0
274
0
969
United States
11,535
3,119
0
3,503
0
0
Total
16,059
7,195
0
3,777
0
969
Oceania
Australia
0
574
0
0
0
208
Total
0
574
0
0
0
208
S America
Argentina
0
2,301
0
97
0
0
Total
0
2,301
0
97
0
0
Grand Total
17,002
11,621
63
3,962
0
1,301
4.2 Historical series and trends
The historical series of cattle embryo production (IVD, IVP, and total) in the past 20 years is shown in Figure 2. The numbers of IVP
embryos have increased uninterruptedly since 2012, at an average rate of 15.8% per year, a two-fold rise since then, boosted mainly by the
growth on the North American embryo industry after 2016 (Figure 3). In 2018, over one million IVP embryos were reported, a new world
record. The substantial increase in IVEP in the past decade, however, was partially balanced by a smaller but consistent decrease in the collection
of IVD embryos in the past 10 years (average -4.1% per year, Figure 4). As a result, total embryo production did not grow as fast as the records
of IVP embryos, remaining for a decade at circa 1.2 million embryos. In the past two years, however, IVEP grow has pushed the total numbers
of the world embryo industry to a new level of 1.5 million embryos.
Figure 2. Number of bovine embryos (IVD, IVP, and total) recorded in the period 1999-2018
Figure 3. Number of IVP bovine embryos in the period of 1999-2018, by continent
Figure 4. Number of total, fresh and frozen in vivo bovine embryo transfers in the period 1999-2018.
5. Discussion
The figures of the world embryo industry in 2018 are in aligned with the trends reported in the past few years and the main one is the
progressive adoption of in vitro technologies worldwide. The number of IVP embryos passed those of IVD embryos in 2017 and, in 2018, reached
over one million records, accounting for almost 70% of the total. The exponential growth of IVEP in North America in the last five years was key
to reach this milestone, as the Brazilian numbers have stagnated (-0.1% this year) after the 2014-2016 economic crisis and recession.
It is reasonable to expect that IVEP would develop at faster rates in countries with large herds and where livestock is an important sector
of the economy, because the infrastructure required represents high fixed-costs. Thus, the scale effect is determinant for the economic viability
of the technique. Coherently, the two countries with greatest IVEP (Brazil and USA) are also those with the two largest commercial cattle herds
in the world. Nevertheless, it is noticeable that an increasing proportion of countries in all regions (overall 41.9% in 2018) has IVEP as the main
source of transferable cattle embryos. The increase in the use of in vitro technologies was also not restricted to cattle. Although the majority of
embryos from other species are still IVD, the number of IVP embryos increased +675.8% in sheep, +1,241.0% in goats, and +85.6% in horses.
The features of IVEP may also have favored the adoption of other technologies that requires embryo micromanipulation, explaining the different
tendencies observed for sexing and genotyping in IVD vs IVP embryos (+8.3% and -15.6%% vs. +447.9% and +429.8%; respectively). In this
regard, the expansion in the number of countries adopting IVEP may have created a platform for the further development of other embryo
technologies.
The rising of IVEP worldwide in the past decade was associated with a decrease in the numbers of collected IVD embryos. However,
changes were not proportional and the positive balance resulted in the increase in total global numbers (+38.7% from 2009 to 2018). In fact,
the adoption of IVEP usually causes a remarkable rise in the embryo industry numbers, as previously observed in Brazil, Argentina and, more
recently, the USA. The relatively slow growth observed in global numbers in the beginning of the past decade can be partially explained by the
decline in ET records from Asia after 2010, where lack of consistent data impairs a clear interpretation of the current trends. For instance, there
is no data from Peoples Republic of China since 2008 and from Japan since 2017 (Thibier 2009, Viana 2018). These two countries were leaders
of the Asian embryo industry in the early 2000s’. In 2006, for example, this region accounted for 27.4% and 28.2% of the world IVD and IVP
records, respectively (Thibier 2007). The Japanese Embryo Transfer Society is currently discussing how to resume data retrieval in the country.
The balance between the trends for IVP and IVD embryos, mainly in the last two years, allowed world ET numbers to reach approximately
1.5 million embryos recorded in a year. This clearly demonstrates that the worldwide growth of IVEP involved the emergence of new potential
markets. On the other hand, in spite of the consistent inclination for the reduction in the collection of IVD embryos over the years, more frozen
IVD embryos were transferred in the past 10 years than in the decade before (2,960,811 [58.4% of total] from 2009 to 2018 vs. 2,741,023
[49.6% of total] from 1999 to 2008, respectively), as shown in Figure 4. This can be a reflex of the lower proportion of transfers of frozen-thawed
IVP embryos (26.8%). Thus, it is likely that collection of IVD embryos has been used as an alternative to overcome the low cryotolerance of IVP
embryos, in situations requiring cryopreservation. Coherently, the number of exported IVD embryos increased (+7.8%), whereas IVP embryo
exports decreased (-35.4%).
This technological shift from IVD to IVP embryos occurred in a manner that affected different aspects of ET activity, such as global
distribution, species, livestock sector involved, use of sex-sorted semen, cryopreservation, micromanipulation etc. The possible forecast for the
evolution of the world embryo industry in the years to come is positive. In this regard, these recent changes also highlight the importance of
data retrieval as a strategy to objectively study and understand the potentials and technical limitations of in vitro technologies, based on the
large-scale use in a commercial scenario. The correct identification of technological gaps and opportunities is crucial to define research focus
and public policies.
6. Acknowledgements
The Data Retrieval Committee thank the efforts of all regional data collectors, as well as all practitioners or representatives of ET
companies who reported data to the database or directly to the Chair. The comprehensiveness of the present report is the result of the volunteer
collaboration of all these colleagues. The Chair also thank Dr. Luiz Siqueira for reviewing this report.
7. References
Food Agriculture Organization (FAO). 2019 Cattle inventory. Available on: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QA.
Thibier M. Data Retrieval Committee Statistics of Embryo Transfer- Year 2008. The worldwide activity in farm animal’s embryo transfer. Embryo Transfer Newsl, v.26(4), p.
13-19, 2009.
Thibier M. Data Retrieval Committee Statistics of Embryo Transfer- Year 2006. New records in the numbers of both in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced bovine embryos
around the world in 2006. Embryo Transfer Newsl, v.25(4), p. 15-20, 2007.
Viana JHM. 2017 Statistics of embryo production and transfer in domestic farm animals: Is it a turning point? In 2017 more in vitro-produced than in vivo-derived embryos
were transferred worldwide. Embryo Transfer Newsl, v.36(4), p.8-25, 2018.
Appendix 1: National data collectors in 2018
Region/Country
Collector
Region/Country
Collector
Africa
Europe
Namibia
Morne de la Rey
AETE
Marja Mikkola
Rep South Africa
Morne de la Rey
Austria
Friedrich Führer
Belgium
Peter Vercauteren, Isabelle
Donnay
Asia
Bosnia Herzegovina
Teodor Markovic
Israel
Amir Shifman, Yoel Zeron
Czech Republic
Pavel Bucek
Denmark
Henrik Callesen
Central America
Estonia
Jevgeni Kurykin
Panama
Luis Nasser
Finland
Seija Vahtiala
Dominican Rep
Joao Viana *
France
Serge Lacaze
Germany
Hubert Cramer
North America
Greece
Foteini Samartzi
Canada
Reuben Mapletoft (CETA)
Hungary
Istvan Pentek
Mexico
Salvador Romo
Ireland
Patrick Lonergan
United States
Daniela Demetrio (AETA)
Italy
Giovanna Lazzari
Latvia
Vita Antane
South America
Lithuania
Raisa Nainiene
Argentina
Gabriel Bo
The Netherlands
Helga Flapper, Hilde Aardema
Brazil (bovine)
Joao Viana
Macedonia
Toni Dovenski
Brazil (equine)
Marco Alvarenga
Norway
Marja Mikkola
Brazil (small rum)
Jeferson Fonseca, Joanna Souza-Fafjan
Poland
Jędrzej Jaśkowski
Bolivia
Joao Viana *
Portugal
João Nestor Chagas e Silva
Ecuador
Andres Vera Cedeño, Antonio Murillo
Romania
Stefan Ciornei
Paraguay
María Paz Benítez Mora, Gabriel Soria
Russian Federation
Denis Knurow, Viktor Madison
Peru
Edwin Mellisho
Serbia
Aleksandar Milovanovic
Uruguay
Joao Viana *
Slovakia
Jozef Bires, Dalibor Polak
Venezuela
Joao Viana *
Slovenia
Janko Mrkun
Spain
Daniel Martinez Bello
Oceania
Sweden
Renée Båge
Australia
Cedric M Wise, Genstock WA, IVB
Switzerland
Rainer Saner
Turkey
Ebru Emsen
Ukraine
Viktor Madison
United Kingdom
Roger Sturmey, Brian Graham
* Data collected/organized by the Chair
Appendix 2: Bovine in-vivo derived embryo collection by region and countries
Region/
Flushes
Collected
Country
Conventional semen
Sexed semen
Total ova
Transferrable embryos
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Africa
Namibia
0
9
9
0
0
0
0
107
107
0
59
59
Rep South Africa
13
1,495
1,517
0
22
22
148
7,386
7,641
85
6,448
6,592
Asia
Israel
41
1
42
1
0
1
239
6
245
156
6
162
Europe
Austria
335
17
352
11
1
12
3,357
95
3,452
2,488
138
2,626
Belgium
121
875
996
8
0
8
813
5,656
6,469
543
4,198
4,741
Bosnia Herzegovina
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
5
5
0
5
5
Denmark
716
54
770
0
0
0
6,179
593
6,772
4,161
392
4,553
Finland
431
3
434
55
0
55
4,007
24
4,031
2,714
4
2,718
France
4,497
1,242
5,739
1,053
94
1,147
50,792
13,825
64,617
29,275
7,494
36,769
Germany
3,166
464
3,630
0
0
0
31,472
4,654
36,126
21,100
2,499
23,599
Hungary
7
36
43
11
6
17
124
385
509
116
255
371
Ireland
664
0
664
0
0
0
8,190
0
8,190
3,904
0
3,904
Italy
2,432
150
2,582
0
0
0
28,397
1,575
29,972
19,418
1,083
20,501
Latvia
11
0
11
0
0
0
52
0
52
43
0
43
Netherlands
2,735
0
2,735
16
0
16
20,847
0
20,847
15,675
0
15,675
Norway
87
11
98
0
0
0
888
155
1,043
586
54
640
Poland
131
0
131
138
0
138
2,193
0
2,193
1,493
0
1,493
Portugal
60
10
70
50
0
50
572
103
675
352
38
390
Romania
9
0
9
0
0
0
48
0
48
40
0
40
Russian Fed,
109
1,530
1,639
442
4
446
5,205
13,143
18,348
2,682
11,416
14,098
Serbia
5
0
5
0
0
0
22
0
22
14
0
14
Slovenia
12
0
12
2
0
2
52
0
52
26
0
26
Spain
102
272
374
374
15
389
4,030
1,382
5,412
2,626
2,002
4,628
Sweden
127
3
130
0
0
0
864
4
868
562
2
564
Switzerland
212
16
228
147
1
148
3,615
149
3,764
2,129
67
2,196
Ukraine
10
8
18
8
4
12
261
175
436
209
125
334
United Kingdom
116
112
228
15
0
15
970
216
1,186
709
572
1,281
N America
Canada
3,278
3,333
6,611
2,443
66
2,509
61,918
43,866
105,784
36,628
23,077
59,705
Mexico
55
993
1,048
0
2
2
331
4,899
5,230
244
4,793
5,037
United States
10,293
21,510
31,803
0
0
0
95,213
270,421
365,634
54,821
150,624
205,445
Oceania
Australia
0
901
901
0
0
0
0
4,445
4,445
0
4,445
4,445
S America
Argentina
311
3,476
3,787
130
11
141
3,626
36,761
40,387
2,301
19,209
21,510
Brazil
2,615
1,108
3,723
0
0
0
20,380
7,205
27,585
17,154
6,065
23,219
Ecuador
25
150
175
25
15
40
50
750
800
35
450
485
Paraguay
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Peru
102
244
346
40
5
45
142
249
391
677
1,422
2,099
Appendix 3: Bovine in-vivo derived embryos transferred by region and countries
Region/
Fresh embryos
Frozen domestic embryos
Frozen imported embryos
Country
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
Total
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
Total
Dairy
Beef
Unsorted
Total
Africa
Namibia
0
37
0
37
0
19
0
19
0
147
0
147
Rep South Africa
65
3,122
0
3,187
34
1,555
0
1,589
0
1,952
0
1,952
Asia
Israel
146
6
0
152
19
0
0
19
0
0
0
0
Europe
Austria
1,000
14
0
1,014
1,402
90
0
1,492
15
13
0
28
Belgium
111
614
0
725
451
2,295
0
2,746
578
16
0
594
Denmark
2,386
92
0
2,478
1,102
96
0
1,198
0
0
0
0
Finland
789
4
0
793
1,938
23
0
1,961
165
50
0
215
France
14,604
2,344
43
16,991
13,153
4,333
90
17,576
654
170
12
836
Germany
8,983
689
0
9,672
11,680
1,246
0
12,926
0
0
0
0
Greece
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
7
Hungary
60
29
0
89
58
129
0
187
0
0
0
0
Ireland
1,565
0
0
1,565
1,904
0
0
1,904
0
0
0
0
Italy
0
0
7,750
7,750
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Netherlands
4,381
0
1,634
6,015
14,332
0
0
14,332
0
0
0
0
Norway
31
15
0
46
75
61
0
136
143
52
0
195
Poland
667
0
0
667
705
0
0
705
438
0
0
438
Portugal
87
14
0
101
423
23
0
446
0
17
0
17
Romania
23
0
0
23
17
0
0
17
0
46
0
46
Russian Federation
220
885
0
1,105
1,005
10,072
0
11,077
91
105
0
196
Serbia
5
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
7
Slovenia
24
0
0
24
2
0
0
2
0
4
0
4
Spain
1,130
570
0
1,700
1,005
404
0
1,409
110
4
0
114
Sweden
0
0
142
142
0
0
396
396
0
0
103
103
Switzerland
729
3
0
732
810
38
0
848
422
21
0
443
Ukraine
12
61
0
73
74
58
0
132
0
0
0
0
United Kingdom
51
81
340
472
45
309
327
681
4
349
42
395
N America
Canada
12,009
2,905
0
14,914
16,895
9,755
0
26,650
61
208
0
269
Mexico
0
2,399
139
2,538
45
1,502
0
1,547
0
213
0
213
United States
20,842
37,616
0
58,458
18,549
81,149
0
99,698
0
0
0
0
Oceania
Australia
0
2,241
0
2,241
0
261
0
261
0
180
0
180
S America
Argentina
1,467
6,655
0
8,122
909
11,691
0
12,600
104
42
0
146
Brazil
7,888
3,097
0
10,985
9,094
2,729
0
11,823
0
0
0
0
Ecuador
477
500
0
977
200
922
0
1,122
0
0
0
0
Paraguay
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Peru
54
95
0
149
15
25
0
40
37
70
0
107
Appendix 4: Bovine OPU-IVEP by region and countries
Region/
Donor preparation
Oocytes
Transferrable embryos
Country
Non-stimulated
Stimulated
Non-stimulated
Stimulated
Non-stimulated
Stimulated
Dairy
Beef
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Dairy
Beef
Total
Africa
Rep South Africa
0
621
0
0
621
0
18,486
0
0
18486
0
3,741
0
0
3741
Centr America
Dominican Rep
0
305
0
0
305
0
6,093
0
0
6093
0
1,828
0
0
1828
Panama
315
334
0
0
649
11,262
15,883
0
0
27,145
2,276
2,886
0
0
5,162
Europe
Estonia
0
0
0
8
8
0
0
0
74
74
0
0
0
24
24
Finland
368
0
315
0
683
1,809
0
2,946
0
4,755
67
0
385
0
452
France
219
0
357
46
622
924
0
3,928
456
5308
214
0
831
166
1,211
Germany
809
20
0
0
829
11,844
337
0
0
12,181
2,621
89
0
0
2,710
Italy
119
0
0
0
119
1,327
0
0
0
1,327
188
0
0
0
188
Netherlands
779
0
9,750
0
10,529
11,300
0
104,103
0
115,403
2,502
0
27,300
0
29,802
Poland
14
0
33
0
47
112
0
324
0
436
62
0
128
0
190
Romania
0
0
4
0
4
0
0
5
0
5
0
0
1
0
1
Russian Fed,
11,882
4,290
0
0
16,172
66,073
35,189
0
0
101,262
14,220
10,984
0
0
25,204
Serbia
18
0
23
0
41
76
0
128
0
204
28
0
32
0
60
Spain
0
68
50
0
118
0
473
770
0
1243
0
239
151
0
390
Switzerland
69
0
0
0
69
841
0
0
0
841
145
0
0
0
145
N America
Canada
0
0
4,466
464
4,930
0
0
50,435
8,368
58,803
0
0
20,820
3,950
49,540
Mexico
2,095
2,558
0
0
4,653
39,567
62,663
0
0
102,230
9,352
17,361
0
0
26,713
United States
54,515
3,789
30,290
20,233
108,827
838,355
78,203
474,539
452,361
1,843,458
117,237
20,675
163,647
144,469
754,144
Oceania
Australia
0
2,056
0
0
2056
0
35,767
0
0
35767
0
11,997
0
0
11997
S America
Argentina
1,535
5,922
8
161
7,626
32,338
136,024
138
1,267
169,767
5,523
27,752
26
307
33,941
Brazil
38,348
21,290
0
0
59,638
460,180
383,238
0
0
843,418
184,072
157,511
0
0
341,583
Bolivia
579
0
0
0
579
11,587
0
0
0
11,587
3,476
0
0
0
3,476
Ecuador
245
173
0
10
428
7,005
6,113
0
150
13,268
1,720
1,544
0
33
3,330
Paraguay
129
6,343
0
0
6,472
2,589
126,864
0
0
129,453
777
38,059
0
0
38,836
Peru
0
0
0
45
45
0
0
0
225
225
0
0
0
67
134
Uruguay
1,318
0
0
0
1,318
26,353
0
0
0
26,353
7,906
0
0
0
7,906
Venezuela
585
877
0
0
1,462
11,699
17,548
0
0
29,247
3,510
5,264
0
0
8,774
Appendix 5: Bovine IVEP using slaughterhouse oocytes by region and countries
Region/
Batches
Oocytes
Transferrable embryos
Country
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Dairy
Beef
Total
Europe
Greece
8
0
8
0
0
0
30
0
30
Italy
0
5
5
0
168
168
0
28
28
Netherlands
84
0
84
2,350
0
2,350
705
0
705
Poland
86
0
86
695
0
695
166
0
166
Portugal
0
1,144
1,144
0
5,088
5,088
0
0
0
Romania
4
0
4
160
0
160
48
0
48
Spain
8
63
71
51
1,178
1,229
26
436
462
N America
Canada
12
0
12
183
0
183
76
0
76
Mexico
0
10
10
0
2,317
2,317
0
498
498
USA
0
0
0
999
15,900
16,899
326
5,307
5,633
S America
Argentina
0
2
2
0
99
99
0
17
17
Brazil
0
885
885
0
14,415
14,415
0
3,543
3,543
Peru
38
0
38
190
0
190
31
0
31
Appendix 6: Bovine IVP embryo transfer by region and countries
Region/
Embryos transferred
Exported
Country
OPU
Abattoir
Fresh
Frozen
Total
Fresh
Frozen
Total
Domestic
Foreign
Africa
Rep South Africa
1,611
337
0
1,948
0
0
0
0
Centr America
Dominican Rep
1,462
366
0
1,828
0
0
0
0
Panama
5,161
0
0
5,161
0
0
0
0
Europe
Belgium
0
0
1,315
1,315
0
0
0
0
Estonia
17
0
0
17
0
0
0
0
Finland
19
457
0
476
0
0
0
0
France
369
348
54
771
0
0
0
88
Germany
2,007
909
0
2,916
0
0
0
0
Hungary
0
0
105
105
0
0
0
0
Italy
126
15
0
141
0
0
0
0
Netherlands
11,124
10,354
0
21,478
0
0
0
0
Poland
23
17
0
40
0
0
0
0
Romania
0
1
0
1
12
3
15
0
Russian Fed,
8,587
6,172
0
14,759
0
0
0
0
Serbia
12
37
0
49
0
0
0
0
Spain
59
158
0
217
49
282
331
0
Switzerland
0
14
81
95
0
0
0
0
United Kingdom
0
117
0
117
0
0
0
0
N America
Canada
4,713
4,110
0
8,823
0
0
0
274
Mexico
16,528
11,209
245
27,982
96
0
96
0
USA
180,081
80,112
0
260,193
0
0
0
3,503
Oceania
Australia
10,046
680
0
10,726
0
0
0
0
S America
Argentina
16,084
12,434
0
28,518
0
17
17
97
Brazil
229,301
43,968
0
273,269
2,325
89
2,414
0
Bolivia
3,476
0
0
3,476
0
0
0
0
Ecuador
1,830
76
0
1,906
0
0
0
0
Paraguay
33,727
23,102
0
56,829
0
0
0
0
Peru
154
13
0
167
18
15
33
0
Uruguay
6,324
1,581
0
7,905
0
0
0
0
Venezuela
8,774
0
0
8,774
0
0
0
0