Successful Calving Following Transfer of Bovine Embryos Produced by In Vitro Fertilization in Korea

Abstract

The objective of this study was to produce calves derived from in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) of bovine follicular oocytes. Oocytes aspirated from small antral follicles (2-5 mm) of ovaries obtained at a local abattoir were matured and fertilized in vitro. At 18 h after insemination with frozen-thawed semen from Korean Native Cattle, oocytes were co-cultured for 6-7 days in tissue culture medium 199 with bovine oviduct epithelial cells. After co-culture, good quality late morulae or early blastocysts were selected by morphological criteria under stereo microscopic evaluation and were transferred to recipients on day 6 or 7 of the cycle (estrus=day 0). Recipients were monitored by observation for estrus and rectal palpation every 30 days beginning 55 days after transfer. Four of seven recipients became pregnant and one of them delivered a normal calf. This result is the first production of calf derived from IVM and IVF in Korea.