Seven (7) purebred Holstein Friesian dairy cattle under the Dairy Development Project of the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera (DA-CAR) have undergone Embryo Transfer (ET) at the Baguio Animal Breeding Research Center (BABRC), Dontogan, Baguio City on July 22, 2022.
ET is the process of moving an embryo, fertilized egg from the donor cow, to surrogate dams (mother cattle) and heifer (female cattle that has not had any offspring). It is an alternative procedure to increase the conception rate, and improve the genetic and/or preserve the breed.
Before conducting the embryo transfer, several procedures have been undertaken in order to select and prepare the recipient cows that are reproductively sound, exhibit calving ease, and have good milking and mothering ability.
Hence, a total of 24 dams and heifers were presented to the technical experts of Bionova Livestock Inc. Here, 14 heads were selected for pre-conditioning. The pre-conditioning includes the administration of Controlled Internal Drug Release (CIDR) for the synchronization of estrus or heat periods of the dairy cattle. Also, Estradiol, a hormone that is important for the development and maintenance of the reproductive organ, was given. Further, hormones and other preparations to enhance fertility and improve the reproductive organ of dairy cattle were conducted.
Afterward, the 14 heads were subjected to an ultrasound to determine the size of the corpus luteum or the mass of cells that forms in an ovary and is responsible for the production of the progesterone hormone during early pregnancy. Based on the parameters, the dairy cattle with a large corpus luteum in the range of 15 millimeters (mm) to 22 mm are qualified for the ET. With this, a total of seven cows passed and were qualified for the ET based on the ultrasound results.
After 20 days, the dairy cattle will be subjected to another ultrasound to determine if they are pregnant. Once the field trial is successful, the National Dairy Authority (NDA) will signify that they will import the embryo. The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) will also provide the technical aspects of the project. The technology will also be adopted at the BABRC due to its higher conception rate and upgrading the cattle presents fewer complications.
This undertaking is a collaborative project of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD); NDA; PCC, and the DA-CAR that aims to establish dairy cattle breeder through embryo transfer. Also, this is in partnership with Bionova Livestock Inc., a private company contracted service provider of PCC on biotechnologies for the conduct of the embryo transfer and selections of the qualified animal.//Sherielyn Mayao, Livestock Program
