Efficacy of mechanical micro-vibration in the development of bovine embryos during in vitro maturation and culture

It is currently unclear how mechanical micro-vibration affects the in vitro culture of embryos in Japanese Black cow. In the experimental groups, immature oocytes and fertilized embryos were cultured using the micro-vibration culture system with the vibration set for 5 sec at intervals of 60 min and frequency of 20, 40 or 80 Hz, respectively, during in vitro maturation and in vitro development. Compared with the control group, the rate of blastocyst development significantly increased in the 40 Hz group. In addition, the number of blastocyst cells reduced significantly in the 80 Hz group. In conclusion, the development of blastocysts in cows is facilitated by providing moderate mechanical micro-vibration to immature oocytes and embryos during the in vitro maturation and in vitro development.