BOVINE IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION

In this short review, recent investigations of bovine in vitro fertili zation are discussed. The technical and biological influences to maxim ise the oocyte yield are of particular importance especially for the c ollection of oocytes. Embryo quality is affected by the culture condit ions,, in that the smaller number of inner cell mass cells reduces the ir quality. Also, serum and cell containing media are possible sources of viral infections for embryos. For example, bovine herpesvirus 1 an d bovine viral diarrhoea virus can readily infect and replicate in emb ryonic cells. Further research arch is required on the development of sl specific media to prevent viral infection? and to improve embryo qu ality.