Calf born through IVF | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Thiruvananthapuram: A hybrid jersey cow belonging to the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) that used to give 30 litres of milk during lactation period was gravely injured in a fall and was beyond the help of doctors. The only option remaining was animal euthanasia.
But with the help of modern technology and advanced science, the doctors created a new life from her. Before the cow was buried, her eggs were collected through In vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryos were developed from it.
One such embryo was implanted in the womb of another cow. The pregnancy was confirmed in a test that followed. Dr Paveen Kumar of Mattupetty farm informed the birth of a calf on April 22. The calf is named KI-19365.
IVF in cows
The procedure is the same as in humans. Eggs are collected from the uterus and grown in the laboratory in an artificial set-up. The eggs that reach a certain growth are fused with the sperms collected from a well-grown bull. Several embryos are formed this way. These embryos are then implanted on the uterine wall of a healthy female.
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