IntroductionIt has been proven that the morphological and physiological quality of in vivo-derived embryos is better than that of in vitro-derived embryos (1,2). One of the major reasons for the relative inadequacy of in vitro embryonic development is the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (2). ROS generation occurs as a result of the reduction of free oxygen during the metabolism of molecular oxygen required for embryonic development. The major ROS produced by the embryo itself are the superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxyl radical. When released at a basal level, ROS have a regulatory effect on embryonic metabolism, embryonic development, and embryo implantation (3).Oxidative stress-induced damage to the embryo arises from excessively released ROS, and these radicals pass the cell membrane, causing structural changes in cellular molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, which, in turn, result in mitochondrial alterations, blockage of cellular development in the embryo, excessive consumption of ATP, and apoptosis (3-5). Eventually, embryonic development is inhibited and the implantation of the embryo is negatively affected (3).Against the oxidative stress and damages caused by ROS, in vivo antioxidant defense systems, which protect the embryo, exist in both the embryo and the female reproductive tract that it resides in. These antioxidant systems include, among others, glutathione, taurine, hypotaurine, ascorbate, pyruvate, vitamin E, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase (3). Under in vitro conditions, as the embryo depends only on the antioxidant systems it is itself equipped with against oxidative stress, additional preventive measures need to be taken (6-8). However, the elimination of oxidative stress and oxidative stress factors from the embryo culture medium is both an inevitable and complex problem. The selection of antioxidants and antioxidant doses for the supplementation of culture media can be challenging, as excessive antioxidant doses in the medium may cause negative impacts (6,9).Previous research has shown that fatty acids incorporated into in vitro culture media exhibit positive effects on oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryonic development (10,11). The feeding of ruminants on rations of high fat content produces positive impacts on reproductive performance and enables high blastocyst