[Significance of biotechnology in reproductive biology and veterinary medicine]

In the last decade a good number of biotechnical methods have been developed. They are available in medical, biological, and ecological fields of work as well as techniques that can replace animal experiments. These methods have been developed on the basis of researchwork in andrology (AI and cryoconservation of spermatozoa), endocrinology (hormonal control of reproduction) and the availability of industrial produced hormones and their analog. On the other hand practical clinical techniques for examination like the availability of sonography advice and clinical practical techniques for non-surgical recovery and transplantation of gamets and embryos have been the prerequisites for a successful work in this field of action. These fields of action are extended from breeding aspects (genetical progress) over the control of epidemics to the exportation of genetic material (especially developing countries to overcome hygienic and adaptation problems), the creation of gen-pools (conservation of breeds-species) and as well as the elimination of genetic defects like BLAD or DUMPS by help of PCR-techniques or the identification of positive characters like milk components and sexing of embryos. The industrial use of bioproducts produced by especially designed biosystems is in work but in Germany not possible by reasons of legislative restrictions. In the light of these developments the veterinary fields of work should be discussed and focussed towards an understanding that the veterinarian should be active and in a polposition in the processing of reproduction and production and presentation of food of animal origin by using these new technologies.