Background: An easy and user friendly protocol that produces consistent results will facilitate the commercial application of embryo vitrification technology in the field.
Objective: This study was designed to develop a simple and efficient vitrification, in-straw dilution and direct transfer method for bovine embryos.
Methods: After being vitrified and in-straw thawed, in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced bovine embryos were subjected to in vitro culture or embryo transplantation.
Results: There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in survival rates (100.0% vs. 93.9%) and expansion rates (93.8% vs. 87.5%) between in vivo-derived and in vitro-produced blastocysts after vitrification and in-straw dilution. And there was also no significant difference (P > 0.05) in conception rates (56.5% vs. 58.8%) after ET between cryopreserved and fresh in vivo-derived blastocysts.
Conclusion: Vitrification using EG-based vitrification solution and in-straw dilution with PBS-based diluent is a simple and efficient method for cryopreservation and direct transfer of bovine embryos.