The effect of oleic and linoleic acids on in vitro bovine embryonic development and embryo quality

The present study was aimed at the investigation of the effects of oleic and linoleic acid on the in vitro development of Anatolian native black crossbred bovine embryos. Following the in vitro maturation and fertilization of oocytes, embryonic development stages were monitored using embryo culture medium supplemented with three different doses of oleic and linoleic acid (10, 100, and 1000 mu M). Examination of the culture media 48 h after fertilization demonstrated that linoleic acid had no effect on embryo cleavage rates, while oleic acid produced a significant increase in cleavage rates (P < 0.01). It was determined that the highest dose of linoleic acid (1000 mu M) and all three doses of oleic acid significantly increased the proportion of cultured oocytes developing to the morulablastocyst stage (P < 0.001). As a result, while oleic acid significantly increased (P < 0.001) the proportion of embryos developing to the morula-blastocyst stage, linoleic acid had limited effects on embryonic development and quality. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of Anatolian native black crossbred bovine embryo cultures with oleic acid may induce positive effects on embryonic development and quality.