Transcriptomic evaluation of bovine embryo quality on blastocysts obtained from peri-pubertal oocyte donors [11 mo vs 14 mo]

Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) and high selection pressure observed in the dairy industry are leading towards the use of younger females for reproduction purpose, reducing the interval between generations. This situation might have an impact on 10 young Holstein cows were used 3 times each at different ages for ovarian stimulation protocols and oocyte collections (at 8, 11 and 14 months). These oocytes were then fertilized in vitro with adult bull semen, generating 3 lots of embryos per animal.