The Bovine Embryo Collection and Transfer Regulations 1993

Regulations 6(1)(d) and (3)

SCHEDULE 1 CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE PROCESSING OF BOVINE EMBRYOS

1.  Embryos shall be processed (that is, examined, washed, treated and placed in identified and sterile containers) in either a permanent laboratory facility or a mobile laboratory facility, which is not situated in a zone subject to prohibition or quarantine measures.

2.  All implements which come into contact with the embryos or the donor animal during collection and processing shall be properly disinfected or sterilised before use.

3.  Products of animal origin used during collection of the embryos and in the transport medium shall be obtained from sources which present no animal health risk or are to be so treated prior to use so that such risk is prevented.

4.  Storage flasks and transport flasks shall be properly disinfected or sterilised before the commencement of the initial filling operation.

5.  The cryogenic agent used shall not have been previously used for other products of animal origin.

6.  Each embryo container and the containers in which they are stored and transported shall be clearly marked with—

(a) the registration number of the collection team;

(b) the date of the collection of the embryo; and

(c) either—

(i) the breed and identification of the donor sire and donor cow, or

(ii) a code from which this information can be readily established.

7.  Each embryo shall be washed at least 10 times in a special fluid for embryos which shall be changed each time.Each wash shall be a 100-fold dilution of the previous wash and a sterile micropipette shall be used to transfer the embryo on each occasion.

8.  After the last wash each embryo shall be subjected to microscopic examination over its entire surface to determine that the ‘zona pellucida’ is intact and is free from any adherent material.

9.  Each consignment of embryos that has successfully undergone the examination provided for in paragraph 8 above shall be placed in sterile containers marked in accordance with paragraph 6 above and which shall be sealed immediately; and in this paragraph “consignment of embryos” means a quantity of embryos removed in one operation from a single donor.