OPU-IVF Calf Born in Badri Cattle

Why in News?

A healthy female Badri calf has been successfully born using Ovum Pick-Up and In Vitro Fertilization (OPU-IVF) technology.

• The achievement was a collaboration between
  •  ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI),
  • Karnal and GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand.

About Badri Cattle

• Badri is an indigenous cattle breed of Uttarakhand.
• OPU-IVF can help in the rapid multiplication of elite Badri germplasm.
• It can support breed improvement and conservation of indigenous cattle.

OPU-IVF Technology

• Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) – Oocytes are collected from genetically superior donor cows using ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) – Collected oocytes are matured and fertilised outside the body using semen from a genetically superior bull.
• Embryo Transfer – The resulting embryos are cultured under controlled laboratory conditions.
• Embryos are then transferred into synchronised recipient cows.

Significance

• Enables production of multiple embryos from elite female animals.
• Accelerates multiplication of superior germplasm compared with conventional breeding.
• Supports genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous breeds.
• Can reduce the time required to multiply desirable genetic traits.

ICAR-NDRI and OPU-IVF

• ICAR-NDRI has previously used OPU-IVF technology to produce calves of Sahiwal and Gir breeds.
• The next phase includes transferring OPU-IVF and cloning-derived embryos into suitable Sahiwal, crossbred and Badri recipient cows.

Reference

The Indian Express| OPU-IVF Calf Born in Badri Cattle