Conservation and Multiplication of Indigenous Animals (Bos indicus) Through in vitro Embryo Production

Abstract

The objectives of the study were conservation and multiplication of superior germplasm in cattle by ovum pick up-In vitro fertilization technology, standardization of OPU process and standardization of IVF techniques/process. for this purpose, indigenous breeds viz. dangi, deoni, gaolao, gir, red kandhari and sahiwal reared in BAIF’s central cattle breeding farm were selected on the basis of minimum standard protocol set by Govt. of India. OPU was performed to aspirate the oocytes followed by IVM and the matured oocytes were processed for IVF which then kept for In vitro Culture (IVC). A total of 891 OPU Sessions were carried out. Totally 6416 oocytes were processed for In vitro culture and 2016 embryos were produced. The effect of breed, age of the animal and interval between two OPU sessions were evaluated for both number of oocyte and embryos produced per session. The average breed wise oocyte recovery was 6.58±0.45 and the average breed wise embryo production was 2.11±0.33 per session. Breed of cow and age at collection of oocyte were found to be significantly affecting the oocyte and embryo production. It was found that Gir breed has better oocyte recovery and embryo production efficiency in our study. Gir, Dangi and Sahiwal presented higher oocyte recovery and embryo production followed by Deoni, Gaolao and Red Kandhari. In conclusion, the process is standardized for Ovum Pick Up, In vitro Maturation, In vitro Fertilization, and In vitro Culture.