Menu
A successful OPU/ICSI procedure begins with careful preparation of your recipient mare. Every detail matters: from conducting sanitary tests and tracking your mare’s cycle to meticulously planning the procedure itself. The success rate of this advanced technique depends not only on the procedure, but also on the steps you take beforehand and afterward. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process to ensure you get the most out of your OPU/ICSI treatment.
Every successful OPU/ICSI treatment starts with assessing the suitability of your donor mare. Before we map her cycle, we first examine her general health and temperament. During the OPU, the mare must finally remain quietly in the handling box for 30 to 90 minutes, under sedation. Mares that have too much temperament, are anxious, suffer from ataxia or serious orthopedic problems such as arthrosis or chronic laminitis, may not (yet) be suitable for this procedure.
Consider the recovery time after the procedure as well. Your mare will need several days of rest, especially if she is in training or actively competing. Additionally, the medication administered will make her test positive for doping for seven days. It is therefore important to plan the OPU treatment carefully, so that the mare gets enough rest before resuming sporting activities.
A key aspect of preparing for the OPU/ICSI procedure is evaluating follicular activity. Your veterinarian should examine your mare’s cycle no later than the Thursday before the planned OPU. This examination includes:
If your mare has at least 15 follicles of the appropriate size and is not in estrus, you can proceed with the OPU treatment. If the number of follicles is lower, you and your veterinarian can discuss and decide together whether to move forward with the procedure.
Your veterinarian will also perform the required sanitary tests to send oocytes to Avantea. These tests include two CEM swabs (fossa and sinus clitoridis) for PCR testing of Taylorella equigenitalis and a serum sample for an ELISA test for infectious anemia (EIA). Ensure that the samples are sent to an accredited lab (such as Labo Böse or DGZ) with a processing time of four business days. Negative results must be available at least 72 hours before the OPU, as the procedure cannot proceed without them. These test results are valid for 90 days.
.jpeg)
Selecting the right stallion is crucial in preparing for the OPU/ICSI procedure. To ensure smooth processing, make sure that semen is available at Avantea well in advance, accompanied by the required sanitary documents, including the TRACES certificate. This must be submitted at least 72 hours before the OPU, or the semen will not be processed.
Reserve the semen with a stallion owner in time and ensure that the stallion owner gives written permission to Avantea to use the semen. This permission should be received at least 72 hours before the OPU. Additionally, inform Hof Ter Leeuwe about the stallion’s name and storage details at Avantea to ensure smooth coordination and timely preparation for the procedure.
To schedule the OPU/ICSI procedure, simply contact us by phone at +32 (0)486 68 85 02 or by email at wim.degeneffe@hofterleeuwe.be. We perform OPU procedures on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in collaboration with Avantea. Please inform us by Thursday afternoon if your mare is ready, so we can finalize the planning on Friday.
You need to bring the following essential documents on the day of the OPU:
What happens on the day of the OPU procedure?
Depending on the scheduled time, you’ll need to bring your mare to Hof Ter Leeuwe the day before or on the same day. If you wish to wait during the procedure, please allow 1.5 to 3 hours. We’ll provide coffee or tea to make your wait more comfortable.
We will re-examine the mare before starting the procedure. The OPU is performed under sedation and epidural anesthesia (not general anesthesia). Afterward, your mare will rest in a designated stable and can either return home or stay with us for further care.
We’ll provide medication for post-procedure care. Your mare can rest in the pasture or a walker, but we recommend giving her at least a week of rest from intensive training. Groundwork is acceptable. Monitor her appetite, general condition, and temperature. If you have any concerns, feel free to contact us or your veterinarian.
Avantea will send us the results on Saturday afternoon after the OPU. We will then communicate the results to you via email, specifying how many embryos were successfully developed.
An OPU/ICSI procedure provides breeders with an innovative and efficient way to optimize their breeding program. To ensure everything goes smoothly, here’s a quick checklist of essential steps:
Would you like to book an OPU/ICSI treatment at Hof Ter Leeuwe? Please feel free to contact us . We will be happy to provide careful guidance from A to Z for maximum results.