With the birth of the first IVF (in vitro fertilisation) calf of the Banni Buffalo breed in the country, India’s ovum pick-up (OVU)- IVF work has reached the next level, according to information provided by the ministry for animal husbandry and dairying.
This first IVF Banni calf is born out of 6 Banni IVF pregnancies established at farmer Vinay . L. Wala’s Sushila Agro farms, located at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had talked about the Banni buffalo breed during his visit to Kutch region of Gujarat on December 15, 2020. The very next day Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) and aspiration processes for the in vitro fertilization (IVF) of Banni Buffaloes were planned, the official statement added.
The scientists aspirated 3 Banni Buffaloes of which 29 oocytes (egg cells) were subjected to intervaginal culture device (IVC). The 15 embryo transfers that took place resulted in 6 pregnancies which works out to a 40% success rate.
Of these 6 pregnancies, the very first IVF Banni calf was born on Saturday.
Both the government and the scientist fraternity see a great potential in the field of IVF of buffaloes and are working to improve cattle wealth in the country, the official statement added.
