In Vitro Fertilization in Kazakh Whiteheaded Cattle: A Comparative Study

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Conservation Genetics

Background:

• The Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle breed faces a drastic population decline, necessitating conservation efforts.
• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) show promise for preserving endangered livestock populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer for the conservation of the Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle breed.
• To compare the reproductive parameters of Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle with the Aberdeen Angus breed using IVF.

Main Methods:

• Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up (OPU) was performed on donor cows.
• Oocytes were matured in vitro, fertilized, and embryos were cultured to morula/blastocyst stages.
• Embryos were transferred to recipient cows, followed by pregnancy diagnosis and calving.

Main Results:

• Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle yielded fewer viable oocytes (6.2 ± 0.83) and morula/blastocyst embryos (0.18 ± 0.05) per OPU compared to Aberdeen Angus (8.7 ± 0.85 and 1.4 ± 0.15, respectively).
• From 2585 aspirated oocytes in Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle, 7.5% developed into morula/blastocyst stage embryos, resulting in 4 live births from 12 pregnancies.
• The study achieved an average of 1.12 embryos per donor animal.

Conclusions:

• Reproductive technologies, including IVF, are applicable for conserving the endangered Kazakh Whiteheaded cattle breed.
• The findings provide valuable insights into the reproductive characteristics of this breed, aiding in the development of specialized conservation protocols.
• This research contributes to the broader understanding of applying ART for endangered domestic animal preservation.