In vitro development of bovine embryos encapsulated in sodium alginate.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro development of bovine embryos encapsulated in alginate. Day-4 embryos produced in vitro (n = 110) were encapsulated with 1.5% sodium alginate and co-cultured with oviduct cells. Unencapsulated embryos (n = 106) were used as controls. In vitro development rate to the blastocyst stage at Day 7 was similar between encapsulated, 42.7%, (47/110) and control. 34% (36/106). embryos. Although encapsulated embryos were able to hatch on Day 9, they did so in a lower proportion than controls (P < 0.05). In conclusion, alginate encapsulation of bovine embryos does not disturb the in vitro development up to the blastocyst stage but significantly reduces the hatching process.