A FROZEN-THAWED IN VITRO-MATURED BOVINE OOCYTE DERIVED CALF WITH NORMAL GROWTH AND FERTILITY

The growth and fertility of a female calf obtained from a frozen-thawe d bovine oocyte was assessed. The birth weight of the calf was lower t han the mean birth weight of calves from in vitro fertilized embryos ( IVF-controls) and calves obtained by artificial insemination (Al-contr ols). The growth rate of the calf up to 6 months was slower than that of the IVF-controls, but similar to that of the Al-controls. When the calf developed into a heifer (200 kg), she was inseminated with frozen semen and 280 days later delivered a male calf. The chromosoms of thi s cow were normal. These findings suggest that the growth and fertilit y of the calf derived from the frozen oocyte are normal.