Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A019
Published online: 22 April 2026
Analysis of the developmental potential of parthenogenetic embryos of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus)
Katarzyna Kostarczyk*1, Jakub Wyroba2, 3 and Joanna Kochan1
1 Department of Animal Reproduction, Anatomy and Genomics, University of Agriculture in Krakow, 24/28 Mickiewicza Ave., 30-059 Krakow, Poland
2 Malopolski Institute of Fertility Diagnostics and Treatment – KrakOvi, 130 Bronowicka St., 30-121 Krakow, Poland
3 Fertility Disorders Clinic, Medical College, Andrzej Frycz Modrzewski Krakow University, 1 Gustawa Herlinga-Grudzińskiego St., 30-705 Krakow, Poland
* Corresponding author: katarzyna.kostarczyk@student.urk.edu.pl
Both animal and human reproductive studies increasingly rely on experimental embryology models to improve assisted reproductive techniques (ART). One of the ART precedures used in humans is the additional activation of oocytes in cases of poor semen quality. The domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus) is widely used due to its high similarity to human gametes and embryos. The aim of this study was to evaluate the developmental potential of parthenogenetic rabbit embryos activated using commercial medium riutinely applied in human in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures to enhance oocyte activation.
Rabbit oocytes were collected post mortem by ovarian scarification and subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM). Mature oocytes at the metaphase II stage were activated using the commercial Cult Active medium. A total of 157 oocytes were activated, of which 68 (43%) initiated parthenogenetic cleavage. The resulting embryos reached different developmental stages: 23 (34%) developed to the 2-4 blastomere stage, 9 (13%) to the 4-8 blastomere stage, 32 (47%) to the morula stage, and 4 (6%) to the blastocyst stage.
The results demonstrate that commercial activation medium designed for human IVF procedures can induce parthenogenetic development of rabbit oocytes without sperm involvement. Although not intended for this purpose, the medium supported embryo development up to the blastocyst stage. These findings highlight both the usefulness of parthenogenetic embryos as experimental models and the potential risk of unintended activation in clinical settings.
Parthenogenetic rabbit embryos may serve as valuable models in embryological research and in the optimization of ART in both veterinary and human medicine. However, the use of activation media in clinical practice should be carefully controlled to minimize the risk of generating monoparental embryos.
Keywords: chemical activation; domestic rabbit; embryo; IVF; parthenogenesis
How to cite
Kostarczyk K., Wyroba J., Kochan J., 2026. Analysis of the developmental potential of parthenogenetic embryos of the domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus f. domesticus). In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A019