KASUR: The University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore achieved a major breakthrough in reproductive biotechnology as its embryology laboratory at Ravi Campus, Pattoki, has achieved first pregnancy following the use of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technique in Sahiwal cows.

This was claimed by UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Nasim Ahmed during his visit to Ravi Campus of the university at Pattoki on Thursday.

Sahiwal cow’s origin is traced in Ganji Bar of Punjab, the area between the rivers of Sutlej and Ravi. Known for its milk yield and beauty, the breed is found in areas of Sahiwal, Okara, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh and Multan.

Talking toDawn, the UVAS VC said the IVF was an advanced reproductive biotechnology for hastening breed improvement in livestock animals. He added that the procedure involved ultrasound-guided aspiration of eggs from elite cows followed by its fertilisation with processed sperms of a high merit bull under specialised culture conditions in a laboratory.

“The embryos are then transferred to recipient cows for the production of live calves.”

Answering a question, Mr Ahmed said the technology at the UVAS was being used under a project funded by the Higher Education Commission Islamabad.

Giving further details, he said the experiments of the project were conducted at the Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI) Bahadur Nagar Farm Okara and embryology laboratory of the UVAS at its Ravi Campus Pattoki.

Mr Ahmed further said experts from Pakistan, China and USA had contributed to achieve this success. He expressed hope that if government supported this project, Pakistan could compete with Brazil, the largest producer in the world to develop embryo production.

Regarding its importance, he said the UVAS, in collaboration with the Livestock and Dairy Development Department, aimed to use this technique for enhancing the milk and meat production potential of our native breeds.

The VC lauded the efforts of Dr Amjad Riaz, in-charge embryology laboratory and chairman Department of Theriogenology, and his research team, including Dr Mudussar Nawaz and Dr Muhammad Saleem, for the achievement.

University of Education VC Prof Dr Talat Naseer Pasha (former VC UVAS) also appreciated the embryology team of the UVAS.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2020