The managing director of Embryo Plus Dr. Morné de la Rey on Thursday introduced to the public the World’s first Cape buffalo calf conceived in through in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
“The use of Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART’s) in wildlife management, although still in its infancy, is becoming more of a reality. This success is of major importance for the prospective breeding of endangered species, and that is the reason why we are undertaking this work,†De la Rey said.
The three-month-old calf named Pumelelo was born on 28 June 2016 on the farm Lekkerleef Buffalo Ranch, near Marble Hall, Limpopo.
The assisted reproductive technology used in the production of this calf was developed by Embryo Plus from Brits in the Northwest Province, and is a world-leader in the embryo industry.
The IVF procedure that was used was similar to the procedure used on women who need invitro fertilisation.
“Extensive preliminary research was necessary to mature and fertilise the eggs, and to incubate the embryos to an advanced stage of development, as all species have different requirements for growth and utilise different nutrients during the laboratory phase of the largely uncharted path of IVF/IVP in African game species,†De la Rey said.
“This breakthrough is of great significance as it is the first of its kind in the world and holds great promise for the continued survival of endangered species.â€
There are currently only three Northern white rhino left in the world. The rhino bull named Sudan, and his two cows, Najin and Fatu, are at home at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
De la Rey said every success achieved with ART’s in wild animals was a step closer to understanding other species’ reproduction requirements and how to apply assisted reproduction techniques in different species.
– African News Agency (ANA)
