Female Sahiwal Calf Born Through Embryo Transfer at FVAS, Banaras Hindu University
Varanasi : A significant milestone was achieved at the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (FVAS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU) with the birth of a female Sahiwal calf on November 19, 2024, as part of a project under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). This project aims to conserve elite indigenous cattle breeds, such as Gangatiri and Sahiwal, using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including embryo transfer and surrogacy.
The calf is the result of the first successful embryo transfer of the Sahiwal breed at BHU. The Sahiwal cow was inseminated with semen from a high-pedigree bull to ensure the transfer of superior genetic material. In February 2024, 8 high-quality embryos at various stages (compact morula, early blastocyst, and expanded blastocyst) were successfully recovered. These embryos were transferred into synchronised surrogate cows.
The successful birth of the calf, which weighs 19.5 kg and is in good health, marks a significant achievement in the conservation efforts for this valuable indigenous breed. The Sahiwal breed is renowned for its high milk production and adaptability, making it a vital part of India’s dairy industry.
This research project is led by Dr. Manish Kumar, Principal Investigator, and supported by Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Kaustubh Kishor Saraf and Dr. Ajeet Singh. Looking ahead, Dr. Kumar and his team plan to adopt newer, more advanced techniques such as OPU-IVF-ET (Ovum Pick-Up, In Vitro Fertilization, and Embryo Transfer) to further enhance the efficiency of these reproductive technologies.
Prof. S.V.S. Raju, Director of the Institute, Prof. N.K. Singh, Dean of the Faculty, and Prof. Amit Raj Gupta, Head of the Department, congratulated the team on this achievement and encouraged them to continue their work, which will significantly benefit the dairy farmers of the Vindhyan region by improving the genetic quality of indigenous cattle breeds and uplifting their economic status.
