Affiliation:
1. School of Animal Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Abstract
Several key developmental events are associated with early embryonic pregnancy losses in beef and dairy cows. These developmental problems are observed at a greater frequency in pregnancies generated from in-vitro-produced bovine embryos. This review describes critical problems that arise during oocyte maturation, fertilization, early embryonic development, compaction and blastulation, embryonic cell lineage specification, elongation, gastrulation, and placentation. Additionally, discussed are potential remediation strategies, but unfortunately, corrective actions are not available for several of the problems being discussed. Further research is needed to produce bovine embryos that have a greater likelihood of surviving to term.
Funder
Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Grants
Pre-Doctoral USDA-NIFA Grant
Subject
General Veterinary,Animal Science and Zoology