META-ANALYSIS OF THE ACTION OF FORSKOLIN DURING IN VITRO CULTURE OF BOVINE EMBRYOS AND ITS IMPLICATION ON CRYOPRESERVATION

Abstract

Increased rates of embryonic re-expansion and implantation have been reported following the use of forskolin during embryo culture, primarily attributed to the reduction of intraplasmic lipids, which improves cryopreservation. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the occurrence of embryonic re-expansion among different studies that utilized forskolin in vitro for embryo production. Five articles, out of 159, assessing forskolin at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, and/or 10µM in embryo culture were considered from 1980 to 2022, comparing them to the control group (in vitro culture with forskolin). The Restricted Maximum Likelihood Method (REML) was employed to compare the results of the articles. The Q test was used to identify heterogeneity among the studies, and the I² analysis was used to quantify the heterogeneity between the studies and to quantify the heterogeneity between the studies. Based on the statistical analysis, it is inferred that embryos cultivated with forskolin at a concentration of 10µM are 71% more likely to re-expand, compared to the control group, with a 95% confidence interval, ranging from 27 to 132%. There was no statistically significant difference in the likelihood of embryonic re-expansion when comparing embryos treated with a forskolin at 5µM, and the control group, suggesting that a concentration of 10µM would enhance the quality of cryopreserved bovine embryos. Further experiments are required to define the correct concentration of forskolin in vitro for bovine embryos.