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In general, maternal age affects the quality of oocytes and embryos. The present study aimed to examine the features and age‐associated gene expression profiles of bovine oocytes and embryos as well as to discover possible countermeasures against age‐associated events. Comprehensive gene expression assays of germinal vesicle and metaphase II (MII)‐stage oocytes and 8‐ to 16‐cell‐stage embryos were conducted using next‐generation sequencing technology. The gene expression profiles of aged cows showed high expression of genes related to oxidative phosphorylation, eIF4 and p70S6K signaling, and mitochondrial dysfunction in MII‐stage oocytes. Oocytes derived from aged cows, compared with those derived from their younger counterparts, exhibited high levels of abnormal fertilization and blastocysts with low total cell numbers. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and SIRT1 were higher …