High throughput non-invasive oocyte quality assessment: the search continues

Bols, P E JJorssen, E P AGoovaerts, L G FLangbeen, ALeroy, J L M R

Non-invasive oocyte quality assessment remains a major challenge of routine bovine in vitro embryo production (IVP). There is a major need for techniques allowing early selection of developmentally competent oocytes on the basis of a simple, quick, economic and feasible protocol. The availability of such a technique would clearly in crease IVP efficiency since only competent oocytes would be used, maximising blastocyst yield by ameliorating culture conditions. This mini-review summarizes briefly the currently available techniques that allow high throughput non-invasive oocyte quality assessment and indicates their possibilities and limitations.(AU)

1. bovine oocyte quality
2. in vitro embryo production (IVP)
3. non-invasive oocyte quality assessment
4. JCB
5. single oocyte culture