OPU-IVF Calf Born in Badri Cattle: A Major Milestone for Conservation and Genetic Improvement of Uttarakhand’s Indigenous Breed

Key Highlights:

• A Badri female calf was successfully born on 11 September 2026, using Ovum Pick-Up and In Vitro Fertilization (OPU-IVF) technology.
• This achievement marks a significant milestone for the conservation and genetic improvement of Badri cattle, an indigenous breed and state animal of Uttarakhand.
• The calf was born from a Badri embryo transferred into a Sahiwal recipient cow.
• The project is a collaborative effort between ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute (ICAR-NDRI), Karnal, and G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar.
• Financial support for the initiative was provided by the Uttarakhand Biotechnology Council, Haldi.

Detailed Insights:

• The successful birth demonstrates the potential of advanced reproductive biotechnology for rapid multiplication and genetic improvement of valuable Badri germplasm.
• OPU-IVF technology helps multiply elite female germplasm at a faster rate, supporting structured breed-improvement and germplasm-conservation programs.
• The research program was initiated in 2023 to establish advanced reproductive technologies for Badri cattle conservation and multiplication.
• Oocytes were collected from genetically valuable Badri donor cows and fertilized in vitro using semen from a superior Badri bull.
• The program is also exploring the cloning of elite Badri cows, with cloned embryos already generated in multiple stages of research.
• These efforts aim to accelerate the multiplication of superior Badri germplasm and contribute to sustainable livestock development in the Himalayan region.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Ovum Pick-Up (OPU): A technique to collect oocytes (unfertilized eggs) directly from the ovaries of live animals using ultrasound guidance.
• In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): A process where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a laboratory setting.
• Embryo Transfer: A procedure to place an embryo into the uterus of a recipient female to establish a pregnancy.
• Germplasm: The genetic material, especially the hereditary material, of an organism, used for breeding and conservation.