Effect of IGFBP-4 during In Vitro Maturation on Developmental Competence of Bovine Cumulus Oocyte Complexes.

Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are essential for oocyte maturation. Their bioavailability is regulated by their respective binding proteins (IGFBPs) and proteases. IGFBP-4 blocks the biological effects of IGFs.

Melatonin improves rate of monospermic fertilization and early embryo development in a bovine IVF system.

The developmental competence of male and female gametes is frequently reduced under in vitro conditions, mainly due to oxidative stress during handling. The amino-acid derived hormone melatonin has emerged as a potent non-enzymatic antioxidant in many biological systems. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the effects of melatonin on post-thaw sperm quality, fertilizing ability, and embryo development and competence in vitro after in vitro fertilization.

Melatonin enhances in vitro developmental competence of cumulus-oocyte complexes collected by ovum pick-up in prepubertal and adult dairy cattle.

Bovine oocytes from prepubertal donors have been used for in vitro embryo production to decrease the generation interval. However, reduced cumulus-oocyte competence, mainly attributed to increased apoptosis, has been observed in oocytes/embryos collected from prepubertal donors. Here, we investigated the effects of the potent antioxidative molecule melatonin on cumulus-oocyte competence and embryo development in prepubertal and adult dairy cattle in vitro.

Chronic inflammatory and degenerative endometrial lesions in subfertile Criollo Limonero cattle; a B. taurus Latin-American breed threatened with extinction; A case-control study.

Criollo Limonero is a tropical Bos taurus breed for sustainable dual purpose (milk and beef) production in the South-American tropics, which is currently threatened with extinction. The objective was to perform a clinical evaluation and histopathological assessment of uterine biopsy samples of repeat breeder (RB) Criollo Limonero cattle to determine the occurrence of pathological conditions as potential causes of subfertility. Twenty-four Criollo Limonero cattle [18 cows (5-13 years old) and 6 heifers (6-7.