In Vitro Development of Cattle Embryo as Affected by Glucose Serum and EDTA

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different modifications of sequential synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) culture system on developmental competence of in vitro matured/fertilized cattle embryos. Bovine oocytes were matured and fertilized in vitro and then presumptive zygotes were randomly cultured for up to 9 days in different modifications of SOF culture system to consider the effects of glucose serum and EDTA on embryo development. All the embryo culture systems were efficient to support bovine embryo development till blastocyst stage. There was no significant difference in the ratios of embryos; however the ratios of blastocyst and also hatchability of embryos cultured in SOF C (51.3% 43.0% and 83.8% respectively) were significantly higher than those of all the other SOF groups. Furthermore while glucose had a partial improving effect on embryo development a significant decrease in embryo development beyond the morula stage was observed in embryos cultured in SOF system with initial supplementation of EDTA compared with all the other groups. It was concluded that appropriate modifications of SOF culture systems can result in significantly great in vitro embryo development.