Several Key Aspects of the Research on Bovine Preimplantation Embryos at the Research Institute for Animal Production (riap) in Nitra

This short review attempts to describe several important aspects of research at the RIAP Nitra in the area of embryo manipulation with in vivo-derived or in vitro produced cattle embryos performed from the beginning of an embryo transfer era and up to date. The paper summarizes results of more important studies including: manipulations on embryos (embryo transfer, embryo bisection for creation of identical calf twins, embryo cryopreservation), in vitro embryo production (IVP), the assessment of embryo quality according to morphology, nucleic acid synthetic activity in the blastomeres or the fine ultrastructure of embryo organelles, the use of bovine embryos as a model for testing bovine virus transmission, gamma-irradiation at the Chernobyl ́s disaster and other influences, with referring to the articles, written by the employees of the RIAP during this period and published in the national and international literature. All obtained results as well as accumulated knowledge and methodical experience in this area provide a strong basis, which can be used at creating the gene bank of animal genetic resources.