**4. Main abnormalities observed as post-transfer consequences of bovine**  *in vitro***-produced (IVP) embryos in some breeds of cattle**

### **4.1 Holstein x beef breeds**

In Holstein x beef breeds, main abnormalities observed include problem of increased loss of embryos in Grade 2 IVP embryos, increased fetal size, increased fetal body weight in IVP, no placentomes in IVP [6]; increased birth weight, increased percentage dystocia, increased mortality in IVP in Holstein; Holstein x Angus cross-breeds [83]; increased birth weight and oversized calves at birth in IVP, increased percentage dystocia, increased heart weight at 13 months in IVP frozen in Simmental bulls [84]; increased percentage males, increased gestation length, increased percentage congenital malformations, increased birth weight, increased perinatal mortality and calving difficulty (all in IVP) in Holstein Friesian breed [85]; decreased pregnancy rates, increased percentage males, increased spontaneous abortion, increased birth weight, increased dystocia, increased calf mortality, increased abnormalities of the fetus and reduced intensity of labour in recipients (all in IVP) and removal of serum did not correct abnormalities in Holstein breed [3]; increased *IGF2* expression, increased dystocia and increased mortality in IVP in Holstein breed [86]; decreased fetal size in early pregnancy, decreased number of cotyledons, increased cotyledon size, increased birth weight in Angus; Angus x

Hereford cross-breeds [87] increased expression of genes (Heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 1A (HSP70.1), Sodium dimustase (Cu/Zn-SOD), Glucose transporter type 3 (GLUT3), Glucose transporter type43 (GLUT4), Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R)) in blastocysts and increased calf birth weight in Holstein-Friesian breed [88].
