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Application of Reproductive Biotechnology for the Recovery of Endangered Breeds: Birth of the First Calf of M urciana– L evantina Bovine Breed Derived by OPU , In vitro Production and Embryo Vitrification
Author(s) -
Ruiz S,
RomeroAguirregomezcorta J,
Astiz S,
Peinado B,
Almela L,
Poto A
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
reproduction in domestic animals
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.546
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1439-0531
pISSN - 0936-6768
DOI - 10.1111/rda.12179
Subject(s) - breed , biology , vitrification , cryopreservation , embryo transfer , endangered species , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo , herd , embryo cryopreservation , in vitro fertilisation , zoology , veterinary medicine , andrology , medicine , ecology , genetics , habitat
In a conservation project, reproductive biotechnology was implemented for the recovery and conservation of an endangered bovine breed in Spain. The breed Murciana-Levantina, declared to be worthy of special protection status (http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000464/index.html), is of great interest because of its hardness, longevity, docility and disease resistance. This contribution describes the birth of the first calf of this breed obtained by reproductive biotechnology, using ultrasound-guided punction and aspiration of ovarian follicles, in vitro embryo production, vitrification of embryos by a cryotop device and, finally, the transfer of cryopreserved embryos to recipient heifers of a commercial dairy herd.