The effects of zinc (as ZnCl2) on in vitro production of bovine embryos (IVMFC) and components of the procedure, that is in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM), fertilisation (IVF) and embryo development in culture (IVC), and the effect of added zinc on sperm motility were studied. Immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from ovarian follicles (2-5 mm diameter) at slaughter, and matured, fertilised and cultured in chemically defined conditions. The presence of zinc (10, 100 or 1000 μg added per millilitre) throughout IVMFC inhibited fertilisation. After addition of 10 μg zinc per millilitre separately to media for IVM and IVF, fertilisation was inhibited only when zinc was present for IVM. When present for IVF, 80% of oocytes selected for IVM reached 2- to 4-cell stages by 46 h after insemination whereas 67% of control oocytes (inseminated without added zinc) cleaved. Higher zinc concentrations (100 and 1000 μg added per millilitre) for IVF inhibited fertilisation. Sperm motility was reduced with addition of 10 μg per millilitre of zinc for sperm preparation (i.e. capacitation interval). Addition of 1.0 μg zinc per millilitre to media used through IVMFC, or to the IVC medium alone, resulted in inhibition of development after 2- to 4-cell stages. When added to IVM or to both IVM and IVF media 1.0 μg/ml of zinc compromised development to the morula stage and beyond. Maturing bovine oocytes may be more sensitive to 1.0 μg ml of zinc in vitro than in vivo because a concentration of 3.0 μg/ml has been reported for bovine follicular fluid. Fertilisation was not adversely affected by 10 μg/ml of zinc; however, higher concentrations were inhibitory.