Why isn’t ICSI a cumbersome method?
ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is sometimes perceived as an invasive or artificial technique, but in reality it is based on rigorous protocols that respect animal welfare and aim to optimize your mare’s reproduction in a reasoned and ethical way.
1. A gentle, supervised method
Contrary to popular belief, ICSI does not subject the donor mare to cycles of heavy hormonal treatment and repeated uterine lavage. In fact, oocytes are harvested without ovarian stimulation , which reduces physiological constraints and respects the mare’s natural cycle.
2. Careful oocyte retrieval
Oocyte aspiration is carried out under transvaginal ultrasound guidance, a precise, minimally invasive technique performed by specialized veterinarians. The mare is lightly sedated to ensure her comfort and avoid unnecessary stress. She feels no pain, and if she did, the mare would move, and such a precise procedure could not be performed. At the Chatenay center, our speed of execution and the precision of our teams make us the only center in France to have developed the technique without an epidural.
3. A more respectful alternative than other methods
Ovocyte puncture saves the mare from having to undergo ultrasound scans at all hoursrepeated inseminations or multiple embryo transfers, which can be more demanding in the long term.
4. A technique that preserves genetic diversity
By making it possible to obtain several embryos from a single sample, ICSI offers an interesting alternative for mares of high genetic merit who could not be bred long enough to fully exploit their genetic potential. This contributes to the preservation and transmission of exceptional bloodlines, such as the great jumpers, without jeopardizing the health of the animals.
5. An approach serving breeders and animal welfare
ICSI is not a technique imposed for no reason: it is a targeted solution, used with discernment to optimize reproduction while respecting the physiological needs of horses. It is part of a responsible approach, where the comfort and health of the animals remain an absolute priority.
So far from being a “barbaric” method, ICSI is a scientific advance that combines ethics, precision and efficiency for the benefit of breeders.
