embryo transfer The embryos were thawed by holding the straws for 10 s in the air and then placing them in a 30°C water bath for 30 s. The cryoprotective was removed using a three-step procedure (6.6% glycerol [v/v] and 0.3M sucrose; 3.3% glycerol and 0.3M sucrose; 0.25M sucrose in culture medium, TCM-199 with 10% ECS). Subsequently, the embryos were washed with culture medium and transferred as soon as possible to heifers on Day 7 after their oestrus. The pregnancy rate was assessed by palpation per rectum on Day 90 after transfer.