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Angrau & #8217;S Breakthrough In Embryo Transfer

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Our Regional Bureau BUSINESS STANDARD

Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) here has successfully experimented with non-surgical multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) technique to save the world-famous Ongole cattle breed from extinction.

The first-of-its-kind experiment in the Ongole breed has already caught the attention of the dairy industry -- the dairy division of Glaxo is currently making use of the varsity expertise. It may be noted that the Ongole breed, referred to as Neluri abroad, is highly valued for its productivity and the Latin American countries earn a lot by way of embryo sales. An Ongole cattle embryo sells at $ 300 abroad.

 

Announcing the success of the experiment here at a media conference, ANGRAU vice-chancellor I V Subba Rao said Ongole breed was nearly on verge of extinction.

Due to long gestation period and short life span, a cow could produce only around 100 off-springs in her lifetime. However, the MOET methods developed at ANGRAU scientists can enable a cow to produce 8-10 calves in a year and about 50-70 calves in its lifetime.

The multiplication of Ongole breed as being practised abroad does not produce 100 per cent pure breed as effected by ANGRAU, Rao pointed out.

The two scientists, M Babu Rao and K Muttarao, who have produced seven calves so far through MOET project taken up a year back, said that so far 18 elite Ongole cows had been used for conservation of germ plasm and embryo transfer. They produced 129 embryos of which 72 are transferable.

The scientists of CCMB here have examined the authenticity of these embryo transfers with DNA Fingerprinting techniques and confirmed the positive results.

The vice-chancellor added that the university was actively considering setting up a unit at Biotech Park here to carry on further research and involve the industry for commercialise of the same.

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First Published: Feb 14 2003 | 12:00 AM IST

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