SCHEME1| Experimentaldesign.Bovinecumulusoocytecomplexeswere invitro matured(day-1)andfertilized(day0).Presumptivezygotes(day1)weredivided into four groups and cultured in synthetic oviduct fl uid (SOF) with (i) bovine serum albumin (BSA), Standard SOF (ii) delipidi fi ed > 96% fatty acid free (FAF) BSA, FAF SOF (iii),FAFBSAcomplexedwith25 µMunsaturatedoleicacid,C 18:1 or(iv)withsaturatedstearicacid,C 18:0 .8 dayspostfertilization,blastocystswerecollectedandstained for lipid droplets, apoptosis and necrosis or cryopreserved (slow freezing procedure). Frozen-thawed blastocysts were stained for apoptosis and