Developmental Competence of Oocytes from the Ovaries of Repeat-Breeding Cows after In Vitro Fertilization

Abstract

The present study examined the developmental competence of oocytes from the ovaries of repeat-breeding cows after in vitro fertilization (IVF). The number of oocytes recovered from eight repeat-breeders averaged 45. Following IVF, the average number of blastocysts obtained was 5 (range from 1 to 7) per cow. Twenty-two frozen-thawed blastocysts were transferred to recipient animals and produced nine pregnancies (41%). Eight normal calves were subsequently born.