Research and technological development into the in vitro transfer of embryos, and their sexing and fertilization

• Grant number: 97/07222-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: January 01, 1998
• End date: June 30, 1998
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agronomy
• Principal Investigator: Jorge Nicolau Neto
• Grantee: Jorge Nicolau Neto
• Company: Embrionic
• City: São João da Boa Vista

Abstract

The objective of this project is to implement, in this country, two techniques of transferring embryos already employed abroad: Embryo Sexing and In Vitro Fertilization. The first enables the sex of the embryo to be identified immediately after being collected from the uterus of the donor. This opens up immense zootechnical possibilities, since, economically, it is rarely worthwhile to raise pedigree males. The breeder, therefore, opts for the insemination or freezing of female embryos. The technique most used around the world consists of puncturing (by micro-manipulation) the seven-day-old embryo, withdrawing a fragment whose DNA code will reveal the sex of the embryo in the laboratory in around an hour (by electrophoresis). The second technique, besides significantly multiplying the female, enables the multiplication of the semen itself, since the eggs collected will be fertilized. With the revolution in genetic engineering, embryo transfer has become universally established since it represents a technique which enables rapid expansion and greater productivity in cattle herds. (AU)