The present report accounts successful production of blastocysts and birth of calves following OPU-IVEP technique in Sahiwal cows of Pakistani origin. A total of 9 transvaginal OPU sessions were performed in twelve Sahiwal cows and 520 immature COCs were recovered using commercially prepared media. These COCs were placed in maturation medium for 24 h in an incubator at 38.5°C with 5% CO₂. The matured oocytes were co-incubated with sperm cells in IVF medium for 22 h. After fertilization, the presumptive zygotes were transferred to culture medium for 7 days at 5% CO₂. The results showed that the cleavage rate of IVF was 68.6% out of which 26.3% were developed up to blastocyst. A total of 2 blastocyst-stage fresh embryos were transferred in a single synchronized recipient cow. The pregnancy was confirmed one month after transfer and resulted in successful calving demonstrating the possibility of performing embryo transfer in elite native herds.

To Cite This Article: Riaz H, Farooq MO, Farooq M, 2021. Birth of first IVF calves in Sahiwal cows of Pakistani origin. Pak Vet J, 41(2): 303-305. http://dx.doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2020.106