IN VITRO EMBRYO PRODUCTION (IVP) PROTOCOLS IN CATTLE: LABORATORY STAGES AND OOCYTE MATURATION

Abstract

In vitro embryo production (IVP) is a widely used technique in bovine reproduction to increase reproductive efficiency and improve the genetic quality of herds. This process allows the production of embryos in the laboratory from selected eggs and sperm from animals with high genetic efficiency. IVP consists of three main laboratory stages: in vitro maturation of oocytes (IVM), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and embryonic culture. Among these phases, oocyte maturation is considered one of the most important, as it prepares the female gamete to be fertilized and initiate embryonic development after fertilization with the male gamete. Several factors can influence the success of the technique, such as the quality of the collected and selected oocytes, the characteristics of the donor, and the laboratory conditions. In addition, the culture environment needs to be carefully controlled to ensure the proper development of the embryos until their implantation in the recipient. Even with advances in technique, limitations still exist that can reduce the rate of viable blastocyst formation in IVM. Therefore, research continues to be conducted to improve the protocols used. Thus, a better understanding of each stage of IVP is essential to increase its efficiency and expand its application in animal production.