OPU–IVF–ET technology and Cattle Breeds

News: The Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, has successfully produced five healthy Sahiwal calves, including a female, through test-tube embryo transfer (OPU–IVF–ET) technology.

About OPU–IVF–ET technology

• The ‘OPU–IVF–ET’ technology stands for ‘Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Embryo Transfer.
• Mechanism of technology
  • In this process, mature eggs are collected from animals using ultrasound-based techniques and fertilized with sperm in the lab.
  • The embryos can also be stored and used as needed.
  • These lab-developed embryos are then implanted into the uterus of surrogate cows or buffaloes, often those with lower milk yield, helping spread better genetic traits more widely.
  • These “test-tube” offspring are likely to produce milk similar to the original animal, helping improve breeds and increase overall milk production.
• Advantages: Under normal breeding, cows and buffaloes can become pregnant only once a year.
  • However, with the OPU–IVF technique, around 10 calves can be produced from a buffalo and about 20 from a cow annually.

About OPU-IVF-ET Programme

• The OPU-IVF-ET programme was initiated during 2022-23.
• Launched by: ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly
• Aim: It is aimed at strengthening the genetic improvement of indigenous bovine breeds, targeting the three major dairy breeds.
• The breeds targeted are – Sahiwal, Murrah and Tharparkar.

About Cattle Breeds

• Sahiwal

• • The Sahiwal breed originates from the Sahiwal district in the Punjab region of Pakistan.
  • It is found in the Punjab provinces of both Pakistan and India, particularly in Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
  • This breed otherwise known as Lola (loose skin), Lambi Bar, Montgomery, Multani, Teli.
  • The best indigenous dairy breed.
  • The colour is reddish dun or pale red, sometimes flashed with white patches.
  • Heavy breed with symmetrical body having loose skin.
  • The average milk yield of this breed is between 1400 and 2500 kg per lactation.
  • Age at first calving ranges from 37 to 48 months and the calving interval is 430 to 580 days.
• Tharparkar

• • Originated in Tharparkar district (Pakistan) of undivided India and also found in Rajasthan.
  • Otherwise known as White Sindhi, Gray Sindhi and Thari.
  • They are medium sized, compact and have lyre-shaped horn.
  • Body colour is white or light grey.
  • The bullocks are quite suitable for ploughing and casting and the cows yield 1800 to 2600 kg of milk per lactation.
  • Age at first calving ranges from 38 to 42 months and inter calving period from 430 to 460 days.
• Murrah

• • It is the most important breed of buffaloes whose home is Rohtak, Hisar and Jind of Haryana and Nabha and Patiala districts of Punjab.
  • Synonyms: Delhi, Kundi, Kali
  • The colour is usually jet black with white markings on tail and face.
  • The tightly curved horn is an important character of this breed.
  • The body size is massive, neck and head are comparatively long.
  • Head of females is short, fine and clear cut.
  • Hips are broad and fore and hind quarters are drooping.
  • The buffalo cows of this breed are one of the most efficient milk and butter fat producers in India.
  • Butter fat content is 7% Average lactation yield is vary from 1500-2500 kg the average milk yield is 8 kg/day.
  • While a few individual animals yield much as 19.1 kg/day.
  • Age at first calving is 45-50 months and inter calving period is 450-500 days.