Single-cell RNA-Seq reveals gene regulation differences between bovine IVF and NT embryos

Many obstacles that affect the further development of nuclear transfer (NT) embryos have not yet been clarified, which greatly limits the application of nuclear transfer technology. To explore gene regulation differences between bovine in vitro fertilization (IVF) and NT embryos, and further reveal the relevant molecular defects of NT embryos. We conducted sampling and single-cell RNA sequencing at each preimplantation development stage of IVF embryos, and nuclear transfer embryos with somatic cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) nuclei as donors, respectively. Our study provided a theoretical basis for in-depth understanding SCNT embryo development and improving the efficiency of nuclear transfer.