On 2-factors containing 1-factors in bipartite graphs (Q1292826)

For a fixed positive integer \(k\), it is shown that if \(G\) is a balanced bipartite graph of order \(2n\) with \(n \geq 9k\), and \(\delta (G) \geq (n + 2)/2\), then for any perfect matching \(M\) of \(G\), there is a \(2\)-factor \(F\) with exactly \(k\) cycles that contains \(M\). This generalizes a result of Las Vergnas in his doctoral dissertation that implies the existence of a hamiltonian cycle containing a perfect matching under the same minimum degree condition.