Lipid profile of in vitro embryos produced from Bos indicus cows with low and high antral follicle counts

Abstract The quantity of lipids available for the initial development processes of in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos can reflect directly on embryonic quality and pregnancy rates. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the lipid profile of IVP embryos from Bos indicus females with different antral follicle counts (AFCs). For this purpose, ovaries from 149 Nelore females were collected at a local slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory. AFC was determined by visual follicle counting on the surface of both ovaries of each animal. The animals were classified as low AFC (≤ 31 follicles; mean less SD) and high AFC (≥ 92 follicles; mean plus SD). Oocytes were matured, fertilized and cultured in vitro. Cleavage and blastocyst rates were evaluated on days 3 and 7, respectively. Blastocysts collected on day 7 (D7; n = 18 per group) were subjected to lipid profile analysis by desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS). In vitro production rates were evaluated by logistic regression using the Car R statistical package (R Development Core Team – 2008), and the differences were considered significant at P