EMBRYO OPPORTUNITIES

A frozen embryo is created through the successful fertilization of a mare’s ovum and stallion’s sperm. After seven days of monitored development in the laboratory, the embryo is frozen at -197°C in liquid nitrogen to preserve its quality until shipment or implantation.

ICSI, or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, is a modern reproduction method in which a single sperm cell is injected directly into a mature egg to achieve fertilization. This allows for highly efficient embryo production using minimal semen doses. Through our partner laboratories, breeders also have the option to select the desired sex of the foal before freezing and shipment.

OPU stands for Ovum Pick-Up and refers to the collection of eggs directly from a mare. These eggs are retrieved under veterinary supervision using ultrasound-guided aspiration, allowing breeders to collect oocytes safely and efficiently.

In embryo creation, OPU comes first. The veterinary team collects eggs from the mare, examines them for quality, and selects the best candidates. Those eggs are then fertilized using the ICSI process, where a single sperm cell is injected into each mature oocyte to create an embryo.

An ICSI embryo results from fertilization that takes place entirely in the laboratory and is later frozen in liquid nitrogen for future use or shipment. A flushed embryo, on the other hand, is conceived naturally inside the mare’s uterus and then flushed by a veterinarian before being implanted directly into a recipient mare.

When purchasing a flushed embryo from ThisChicHasBigDreams, buyers will receive official AQHA Embryo Transfer Enrollment documentation and confirmation that all relevant registration and enrollment fees have been paid.

While our primary focus is on implanted embryos that can be shipped or scheduled for implantation at the buyer’s selected time, we occasionally have a limited number of foals out of ThisChicHasBigDreams available for purchase.

For current availability, please contact krista@diamondcreekranch.com.

At this time we do not offer recipient mare services, however if you are approved for embryo purchase after completing the application we may be able to assist you in connecting with the proper channels who do offer recipient mare implantation.