Development and application of ovine reproductive technologies: an Indian experience

Sheep play an important role in the Indian economy by providing employment to a large population of marginal and landless farmers. The production from native breeds is relatively low due to their poor reproductive efficiency. Embryo transfer technology can be utilised for faster multiplication of elite animal to increase the genetic gain. A great deal of research is involved to overcome the constraints in the technology, i.e. expensive and complicated nature of the technology and low success rate. In order to avoid surgical involvement, procedures of laparoscope aided embryo collection and transfer have been developed. Although the use of FSH of ovine origin has given more consistent superovulatory response, but it is still too low to get sufficient numbers of progeny from a donor ewe. The progress made in cryopreservation of ram semen has opened the possibility for conservation and utilisation of frozen semen of elite rams in sheep improvement programme. The lambing rate obtained after laparoscope aided intrauterine artificial insemination with frozen semen is encouraging but the impetus is now to develop the non-invasive transcervical insemination technique.