Riproduzione Assistita

Negli ultimi decenni sono state sviluppate tecniche di riproduzione assistita e queste sono state impiegate soprattutto in animali da reddito, quali bovino, cavallo, suino e piccoli ruminanti.
La ricerca e attività commerciale svolta presso LRBA comprende in particolare la raccolta di oociti ed embrioni in vivo, maturazione di oociti in vitro, fertilizzazione in vitro (IVF) o fertilizzazione assistita (iniezione intracitoplasmatica dello spermatozoo, ICSI), coltura embrionale in vitro. Inoltre presso la nostra struttura sono stati sviluppati protocolli per la crioconservazione di gameti ed embrioni (congelamento tradizione e vitrificazione in paillettes o dispositivi quali cryoloop).
Oociti ed embrioni sono stati inoltre impiegati per lo sviluppo di test tossicologici di farmaci e sostanze chimiche.

PUBBLICAZIONI SELEZIONATE:

1. Gugole P M, Zannoni A, Iacono E, Merlo B. Naloxone supplementation during vitrification of equine in vitro matured oocytes after overnight holding: insights from a comparative study with the bovine model. Theriogenology. 2026; 252: 117776. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117776
2. Algieri A, Attolini E, Iacono E, Nesci S, Merlo B. Metabolic Comparison of Mature and Immature Bovine Cumulus–Oocyte Complexes with Standardization of Bioenergetic Assessment. Biomolecules. 2026; 16(2), 317. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16020317
3. Merlo B, Volsa AM, Tovar L, Gaiani M, Gugole PM, Attolini E, Iacono E. Effects of polystyrene nanoparticles on bovine oocyte in vitro maturation. Theriogenology. 2025; 244: 117482. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117482
4. Gugole PM, Zannoni A, Forni M, Iacono E, Zambelli F, Merlo B. Effects of holding and the addition of naloxone on vitrification of equine immature oocytes. Theriogenology. 2025; 239:117359. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.02.025
5. Volsa AM, Iacono E, Merlo B. Micro-nanoplastics pollution and mammalian fertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Theriogenology. 2025; 238: 117369. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117369
6. Lanci A, Perina F, Armani S, Merlo B, Iacono E, Castagnetti C, Mariella J. Could assisted reproductive techniques affect equine fetal membranes and neonatal outcome? Theriogenology 2024; 215: 125-131. DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.11.032
7. Cocchia N, Merlo B, Calabria A, Spada S, Iacono E, Ciarcia R, Damiano S, Giornadano E, Laperuta F, Gasparrini B. Effect of Maca aqueous extract addition to a freezing extender for canine semen. Veterinary Research Communications. 2024; 48 (1); 301-307. DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10163-5.
8. Merlo B, Del Prete C, Mari G, Iacono E. Overnight holding aids in selection of developmentally competent equine oocytes. Anim Reprod Sci. 2022 Oct;245:107071. doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107071. Epub 2022 Sep 17.
9. Del Prete, Chiara; Calabria, Alfonso; Longobardi, Valentina; Palumbo, Veronica; Merlo, Barbara; Iacono, Eleonora.; Tafuri, Simona; Carotenuto, Domenico; Ciani, Francesca; Damiano, Sara; Ciarcia, Robertoa; Cocchia, Natascia. Effect of Aqueous Extract of Maca Addition to an Extender for Chilled Canine Semen. Animals 2022; 12(13); Article number 1638.
10. Del Prete C, Blanco Prieto O, Mislei B, Iacono E, Mari G, Cocchia N, Gasparrini B, Merlo B, Bucci D. Assessment of an open-access CASA software for bovine and buffalo sperm motility analysis. Animal Reproduction Science. 2022; 241: 107089. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107089
11. Merlo B, Del Prete C, Mari G, Iacono E. Overnight holding aids in selection of developmentally competent equine oocytes. Animal Reproduction Science. 2022; 245: 107071. DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2022.107071
12. Gonzalez-Plaza A, Brullo C, Cambra J M, Garcia M, Iacono E, Parrilla I, Gil M A, Martinez E A, Martinez C A, Cuello C. Equilibration time with cryoprotectants, but not melatonin supplementation during in vitro maturation, affects viability and metaphase plate morphology of vitrified porcine mature oocytes. Reprod Domest Anim. 2022; 57 (55):58-63. DOI: 10.1111/rda.14158
13. Dell’Eva G, Bolognini D, Iacono E, Merlo B. Superovulation protocols for dairy cows bred with SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54(5):756-761.
14. Merlo B, Mari G, Iacono E. In vitro developmental competence of horse embryos derived from oocytes with a different corona radiata cumulus-oocyte morphology. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 198: 233-237
15. Merlo B, Iacono E, Bucci D, Spinaci M, Galeati G, Mari G. Beta-mercaptoethanol supplementation of in vitro maturation medium does not influence nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of equine oocytes. Reprod Dom Anim 2019; 51: 992-996.
16. Iacono E, Merlo B, Rizzato G, Mislei B, Govoni N, Tamanini C, Mari G. Effects of repeated transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspirations performed in anestrous and cyclic mares on P4 and E2 plasma levels and luteal function. Theriogenology 2014;82(2):225-231.
17. Zaniboni A, Merlo B, Zannoni A, Bernardini C, Lavitrano M, Forni M, Mari G, Bacci ML. Expression of fluorescent reporter protein in equine embryos produced through intracytoplasmic sperm injection mediated gene transfer (ICSI-MGT). Anim Reprod Sci 2013;137(1-2):53-61.
18. Merlo B, Iacono E, Regazzini M, Zambelli D. Cat blastocysts produced in vitro from oocytes vitrified using the cryoloop technique and cryopreserved electroejaculated semen. Theriogenology. 2008;70(1):126-130.