Laparoscopic ovum pick up in common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Ovum pick up (OPU) is a crucial assisted reproductive technique for transgenic research of non-human primates, and has commonly been performed via laparotomy in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Laparoscopy is minimally invasive and requiring smaller incisions compared to laparotomy. Four donor female (each 2 animals for laparoscopy and laparotomy) and one male (sperm collection) adult common marmosets were used in this study. Ovarian cycles were controlled and monitored for determining optimal time for OPU. Oocytes were obtained using a modified small laparoscopic system for small animals and human pediatric patients. Obtained oocytes were in vitro matured, fertilized and developed to blastocyst. The modified laparoscopic system provided the effective visualization of ovarian surface for OPU, and showed comparable rates of retrieval (78.57 % vs. 75.00 %), maturation (72.73 % vs. 85.19 %), fertilization (100.00 % vs. 91.30 %), and blastocyst development (63.50 % vs. 23.81 %) for oocytes between laparoscopy and laparotomy. Duration of operation, recovery time and post-operation treatment period were similar for both methods. There were no significant differences between two methods for any of the variables analyzed. In this study, the laparoscopic OPU in marmosets can achieve comparable results to laparotomy in terms of visualization, oocyte retrieval, and operation procedure. Furthermore, studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate the competency of oocytes for development, along with improvements in grasping methods to enhance accessibility to ovarian surfaces in laparoscopic OPU.