India’s First IVF Banni Buffalo Calf Born In Somnath, Gujarat

Name of Buffalo : Banni

IVF : in vitro fertilization (IVF)

State : Gujarat

Farmer: Vinay . L. Wala of Sushila Agro farms, located at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat.

• For the first time in India scientists have succeeded in having a calf of the Banni breed of buffaloes born Saturday through IVF (in vitro fertilization), officials said.

• The calf was born in the western state of Gujarat and district somnath

• Banni Buffalo, a rare breed of Gujarat arid region can survive in extreme weather and is known for its high milk production.

• "With the birth of the first IVF calf of a Buffalo breed namely Banni in the country, India's Ovum Pick-Up (OPU)- in vitro fertilization (IVF) work has reached next level," said a statement issued by the federal ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

• "This first IVF Banni calf is born out of 6 Banni IVF pregnancies established at the doorsteps of a farmer at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat."

• The scientists aspirated 3 Banni Buffaloes of Sushila agro farms of Vinay. L. Wala of Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat. They subjected 29 oocytes (egg cells) to intervaginal culture device (IVC) from these three Banni buffaloes. Total 20 oocytes from one of them were subjected to IVC.

• Experts say the birth of the Banni Buffalo calf would open up doors for the mass production of rare Banni Buffalo.

• The OPU and aspiration processes for the IVF of Banni Buffaloes were planned last year.