Can AI improve IVF results in cattle? Ohio State research shows promise

By John Fulton and Grace Koppelman, Ohio State University

Cattle producers are paying close attention to reproductive technologies that can improve herd genetics and efficiency, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains a promising, but imperfect, tool. IVF allows producers to collect eggs (oocytes) from donor cows, fertilize them in a lab, and transfer resulting embryos into recipient females. While the approach can rapidly multiply elite genetics, one of the ongoing challenges is inconsistent embryo quality and low conception success rates compared to conventional breeding systems.

A major factor behind these limitations is the subjective nature of oocyte selection. Before fertilization, technicians evaluate cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), immature egg cells surrounded by support cells, and assign a quality grade. This grading process directly influences embryo development, yet it relies heavily on human judgment and can vary between technicians.

Researchers in The Ohio State University’s Department of Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering (FABE) are working to improve this step using precision technology and artificial intelligence (AI).… Continue reading