The Buffalo Research Institute in Pattoki has claimed to achieve an unprecedented breakthrough in the embryo transfer technology. While, disclosing the details to press on Monday, Livestock Department spokesman, Dr Asrar Hussain said the embryo was recovered from Elite (high yielding) buffalo.
Giving details about the experiment he said that the scientists of the Institute had transferred blastocyst and marula stage embryos into two buffaloes named P-158 and P-273 on April, 4, 2008. "The recipient buffalo P-158 has been found pregnant when checked for pregnancy on May 31," said the Chief Research Officer of the Project Dr Mushtaq Aziz.
He said it was a breakthrough in the history of Pakistan, That first time Embryo Transfer (test tube baby) pregnancy has occurred in buffalo. It is the rapid technology to multiply the high yielding animal with shortest possible time.
The project cost of Rs 400 million of the buffalo Research institute, Pattoki, is working on right directions in the vicinity of 10 districts and 3 Public Livestock farm. The breakthrough has been the result of devoted efforts of scientists and researchers, including Dr Mushtaq Aziz, Chief Research Officer Dr Ihsan ul Haq, Research Officer Dr Amir Ahmad Naizi, Assistant Research Officer, Muhammad Aslam Lab Assistant and team of officials.
The progeny testing programme for the production of pedigreed bull sire is also going on successful. After the completion of the project revolutionary can be observed in the production of milk and meat. Buffalo is the major milk-producing animal in Pakistan, and Economic survey of Pakistan 2007 maintained that 27.335 million buffaloes were found in Pakistan and out of it 65 per cent ie 17.747 million were raised in Punjab. To improve the production potential of world famous Nili Ravi Buffalo, a project of the Research Institute Pattoki is in progress.