Bioactive supplements influencing bovine in vitro embryo development.

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Embryology
• Animal Science

Background:

• In vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos is increasingly used but faces inefficiencies and lower post-transfer competency compared to traditional methods.
• Factors affecting IVP success include maternal, paternal, embryonic, and culture-related elements.
• Optimizing IVP requires understanding and replicating the uterine and oviductal environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review efforts in improving in vitro produced (IVP) bovine embryo development and post-transfer competency.
• To explore the role of supplementing hormones, growth factors, and other bioactive factors (embryokines) in enhancing IVP success.
• To assess the potential benefits of embryokines on embryo survival, cell number, blastocyst quality, pregnancy retention, and neonatal calf health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies investigating the supplementation of bioactive factors in IVP embryo culture and transfer.
• Analysis of over 40 identified embryokines and their effects on embryo development and post-transfer outcomes.
• Examination of research on combined embryokine supplementation and its potential impact.

Main Results:

• Several embryokines demonstrate the ability to promote embryo development, enhance survivability, increase cell numbers, and improve blastocyst cell type distribution.
• A limited number of studies show embryokines can benefit pregnancy retention and neonatal calf health after IVP embryo transfer.
• Simultaneous supplementation of multiple embryokines shows promise for improving IVP embryo development and competency.

Conclusions:

• Embryokine supplementation offers a promising strategy to enhance bovine IVP embryo development and post-transfer success.
• Further research is crucial to identify optimal embryokine combinations and investigate potential adverse effects like large offspring syndrome.
• Replicating the natural oviductal and uterine environment through embryokine supplementation is key to advancing bovine IVP technology.