Poster prepared by ILRI for the ILRI Annual Program Meeting (APM) 2010, held at ILRI campus, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, April 14-17, 2010.

1. Utilizing state of the art reproductive technologies to
produce and deliver appropriate cattle genotypes
 Suitable dairy heifer genotypes for low input systems are in short supply
 Some indigenous cattle breeds are threatened and should be conserved
Sexed semen, In-vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (SIFET) and Ovum Pick-Up
(OPU) technologies offer opportunities for better utilization and conservation of
indigenous cattle and can produce animals of strategic value
Exotic bulls Indigenous cows
SIFET Laboratory Harvested
Oocytes through
Sexed semen OPU
• High milk production potential • Highly reproductive
• Poorly adapted to low input systems • Adapted to harsh environments
Boran cows as surrogates
Embryo Transfer Results Comparative blastocyst yield for different
follicle sizes
45
40
Grade A
35 Grade B
IVEP Embryos 30
Blastocyst yield (%)
Average
• Natural grazing conditions 25
• Good recipient capabilities 20
15
10
5
0
SIFET Calves 1-3 mm > 3-6 mm > 6 mm
Follicle size group
From Boran cows, even small follicles
produce high quality (grade A) blastocysts
Embryos and oocytes available for conservation,
breed improvement and diagnostic studies
The good news is … And the not so good news is …
April 2010
Indigenous
breeds
are
excellent
oocytes
donors
and
surrogates
Availability
&
affordability
of
SIFET
is
limited
Partners:
UoN, EMBRAPA Brazil, ADC, CAIS, Kakuzi ranch, Ol Pajeta ranch, Dagoretti
Slaughter Houses
By: Mutembei H, Muasa B, Muraya J, Okeyo AM