Analysis of trophectoderm markers in domestic cat blastocysts cultured without zona pellucida.

Domestic cat embryos generated by fertilization (IVF) and cultured without the zona pellucida have a reduced implantation capacity after embryo transfer at the blastocyst stage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression of trophectoderm markers in domestic cat blastocysts cultured without the zona pellucida. Two experimental groups were selected: (1) domestic cat embryos generated by IVF and cultured normally (zona intact group, ZI); and (2) domestic cat embryos generated by IVF and cultured without a zona pellucida (zona-free group, ZF).