Dr. henry Mutembei, shows off IVF-Kapiti 1, a test-tube calf produced by the University of Nairobi and the International Livestock Research Institute

Scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute and the University of Nairobi recently bred a test-tube calf using a technique called in vitro embryo production (IVEP). The technology, they say makes it possible to rapidly multiply and breed genetically superior cattle within a short generation interval.

Is this much different from previous technologies?

IVEP does not—and should not—completely replace traditional reproductive technologies such as conventional embryo transfer (ET) and artificial insemination. Each of these techniques has its place, and each of them utilizes tissues, embryos and semen for improvement and reconstruction of cattle breeds.

The difference is that while the traditional ET techniques involve more animals and are wholly done in the field, IVEP is undertaken in the lab and involves fewer surrogate animals in the field. IVEP eliminates the tedious steps of synchronizing donor cows. Specifically, IVEP technology as a breeding tool has the distinct advantage of maximizing utilization of appropriate dam and sire genotypes by:

• increasing efficiency of multiplication in breeding;
• permitting determination of sex of the offspring; and
• permitting pre-testing of actual fertility status of the bull.

Thus, while natural mating or artificial insemination are necessarily slow and inefficient, producing only 10-15 offspring per life span of a cow. IVEP can produce up to 300 offspring per life span.

Read more… (Daily Nation)