Record Details

African cattle benefit from embryo transfer technology

CGSpace

View Archive Info
 
 
Field Value
 
Title African cattle benefit from embryo transfer technology
 
Creator Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
 
Description The major protozoan diseases trypanosomiasis and theileriosis, cause heavy losses in African livestock. However, the practice of embryo transfer technology has been of increasing value in the production of genetically resistant stock.



Using embryo transfer technology an average of 15 calves per year can be produced from one donor cow. This is achieved by hormonally stimulating the donor cow to superovulate. Seven days after ova fertilization the uterus of the cow is flushed with an embryo culture medium. The embryos, which are collected hygienically and washed prior to breezing, are virtually free of infectious disease. They are then ready to be transferred to recipient cows.



The technique means that disease-resistant and genetically improved strains of cattle can be 'crossed' onto local breeds. The calf born to a native recipient cow will gain passive immunity to local disease from the dam's colostrum, so is protected until it can build up its own immunity.



The International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), has been carrying out work on embryo transfer technology on a semi-arid commercial ranch located 50 kilometers southwest of Nairobi.



The donor and recipient cows are kept under typical ranch conditions, with no special Provisions other than good handling facilities. ILRAD feels that embryo transfer techniques could be used on African farms if an appropriate technical service were available.



Dr David Kenny, ILRAD



PO Box 30709, Nairobi, KENYA
The major protozoan diseases trypanosomiasis and theileriosis, cause heavy losses in African livestock. However, the practice of embryo transfer technology has been of increasing value in the production of genetically resistant stock. Using embryo...
 
Date 2014-10-08T13:41:25Z
2014-10-08T13:41:25Z
1992
 
Type News Item
 
Identifier CTA. 1992. African cattle benefit from embryo transfer technology. Spore 41. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
1011-0054
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/45844
 
Language en
 
Relation Spore, Spore 41
 
Publisher CTA
 
Source Spore