ISLAMABAD, Sept 24 (INP): Pakistan recently achieved a significant milestone in biotechnology with the birth of buffalo calfs through OPU-IVF-ET (Ovum Pick-Up, In-Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Transfer) technique for the first time in the country’s history. Royal Cell Biotechnology (Pakistan), a subsidiary of the Royal Group of China, introduced the technology in Pakistan. In trials at Ibrahim Dairy Farm, Faisalabad, embryos from elite buffaloes were successfully implanted into recipient buffaloes, resulting in 6 pregnancies from 8 transfers and ultimately 5 births, Dr. Qaiser Shahzad, a senior official at the Royal Cell Pakistan, told Gwadar Pro.

Similarly, two calves were born from 5 transferred embryos at the HAS Dairy Farm, Gujranwala, he said. This development is part of the Royal Group’s broader ‘Buffalo Breeding Project’ under \China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Dr Shahzad added. The IVF procedure aims to improve buffalo breeds for higher milk production, significantly reducing the breeding cycle, he concluded. OPU-IVF-ET involves ultrasound-guided collection of eggs from superior breeds (OPU), production of embroys via IVF and finally transfering the embryos into healthy buffalos to achieve pregnancies and eventually births of elite animals.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China