We determined the transcript content of three genes involved in the metabolism of glucocorticoids (GC) in bovine in vitro fertilized embryos (2-blastomere stage until hatched blastocyst), trophoblast as well as the oviduct (Day 2-4 of the estrous cycle) and endometrium (Day 16 of the cycle and pregnancy). Since mRNA expression of the glucocorticoid receptor and two enzymes responsible for GC production (11β-HSD1 and 2) was demonstrated in the embryos in all pre-implantation stages as well as in the endometrium and oviduct, it is suggested that GC may serve as auto-/paracrine factors in the development of bovine pre-implantation embryos.