Contrasting effects of heat shock during in vitro maturation on development of in vitro-fertilized and parthenogenetic bovine embryos.

This study investigated the influence of heat shock during in vitro maturation on embryo development following in vitro fertilization (IVF) or parthenogenesis (Part). Immature bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were exposed to heat shock (41.0°C) during the first 12 hr of in vitro maturation (IVM), followed by 12 hr at 38.

Effect of oxygen tension and serum during IVM on developmental competence of bovine oocytes.

With an aim to improve the in vitro production of bovine embryos, the present study investigated the effect of serum and oxygen tension during IVM on oocyte developmental competence. Four experimental groups were evaluated: G1, 10% oestrus cow serum (OCS) with 20% O(2); G2, 0.1% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with 20% O(2); G3, 10% OCS with 5% O(2); and G4, 0.