Influence of long-term thermal stress on the maturation on embryo development and Heat Shock Protein abundance in zebu cattle.

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of long-term temperature stress during the maturation (IVM) of oocytes on the embryo production (IVP) and the abundance of HSP70 and HSP90 in zebu cattle. Viable cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were incubated for 24 h at 37 °C, 38.5 °C, or 40 °C for the low-, physiological, and high-temperature stress treatments, respectively.

Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) as a predictor of antral follicle population in heifers.

Antral follicular population (AFP) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration are strongly associated. Thus, analyzing AMH concentration is a reliable method to predict animals with high AFP, an important feature to select donor cows for embryos and oocytes. However, not much is known about this parameter in heifers, particularly in crossbred animals.