Assam has achieved a significant milestone in indigenous cattle conservation with the successful birth of the world’s first IVF-born female calf of the Lakhimi breed.
The calf was born at the IVF Laboratory of the College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati. The facility was established with financial support provided under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission.
Using advanced in-vitro embryo production technology, an embryo was developed from a pure Lakhimi donor cow and semen collected from a pure Lakhimi bull. The embryo was then transferred to a crossbred recipient heifer, resulting in the successful birth of the female calf.
As Assam’s only registered indigenous cattle breed, Lakhimi cattle stand to benefit significantly from this technology. The achievement could help accelerate breed conservation, increase the number of genetically superior animals and retain the breed’s distinctive characteristics.
The milestone represents another important step in using assisted reproductive technologies to conserve and strengthen indigenous livestock breeds.
