Why In News?

A purebred Badri calf was successfully delivered by a surrogate Sahiwal cow in Uttarakhand using OPU-IVF technology.

What is the Badri Cattle Breed?

Indigenous Breed: Officially registered as Uttarakhand's first native cattle breed by ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) under accession code INDIA_CATTLE_2400_BADRI_03040.

Himalayan Cattle: A compact, agile Bos indicus breed weighing 200–250 kg, genetically adapted to navigate rugged mountain elevations up to 2,500 meters. Locally called “Pahadi” cattle.

Local Adaptation: 

  • Well adapted to steep terrains, cold climate, and scarce fodder.

  • Grazes mainly on herbs and shrubs of the mountains.

  • Milk is valued for its medicinal properties and organic purity.

Physical Appearance

  • Colours: Black, Brown, Grey (rarely white in females).

  • Horns: Curved upward and inward.

  • Body: Small, active, sure‑footed; straight forehead, prominent poll, medium‑large hump.

Genetic Resource: Yields premium A2 beta-casein milk rich in antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids without requiring chemical antibiotic regimens.

Livelihood Support: Serves as a primary milk, manure, and draught source for hill marginal farmers, though average milk output remains modest at 1–3 litres/day.

How was the Badri Calf Produced?

Stage

Description

1️⃣ Genetically Superior Badri Donor

High-genetic-merit Badri cows with proven milk yield records were selected as donor mothers in Uttarakhand.  

2️⃣ Collection of Oocytes

Using ultrasound-guided transvaginal aspiration, technicians collected immature oocytes (egg cells) from the elite Badri donors. 

3️⃣ In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

The oocytes were matured in a controlled laboratory environment and fertilized with cryopreserved semen from an elite pedigreed Badri bull.  

4️⃣ Embryo Development

The fertilized embryos were cultured for seven days until they reached the blastocyst stage, which is optimal for implantation. 

5️⃣ Sahiwal Recipient Cow

A healthy Sahiwal cow was hormonally synchronized using prostaglandin to match the embryo’s developmental stage. She served as the surrogate mother for gestation.

6️⃣ Successful Birth

The embryo transfer led to full-term gestation, resulting in the birth of a pure Badri calf.

Why choose Sahiwal as a Surrogate?

While the native Badri cow is short-statured (200-250 kg) with smaller pelvic dimensions, the Sahiwal cow is larger and hardier (350-400 kg) with a mature uterine volume. Choosing a Sahiwal cow as a surrogate ensures excellent fetal growth space, zero calving difficulties (dystocia), and maximum gestational safety for the premium embryo.

Source: INDIANEXPRESS

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to Badri cattle and assisted reproductive technologies in India, consider the following statements:

1. Badri cattle is the first certified indigenous cattle breed registered from the state of Uttarakhand by ICAR-NBAGR.

2. Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) allows non-surgical collection of oocytes from live donor cattle without requiring hormonal superovulation.

3. The milk produced by Badri cattle contains the A1 beta-casein protein variant predominantly found in European dairy breeds.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only

B) 2 and 3 only

C) 1 and 3 only

D) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Badri cattle is recognized as the first certified indigenous cattle breed from Uttarakhand by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). It is also designated as the state animal of Uttarakhand.  

Statement 2 is correct: Ovum Pick-Up (OPU) is an advanced reproductive technique that retrieves oocytes (immature egg cells) transvaginally and non-surgically from live donor cows without needing hormonal superovulation.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Indian indigenous cattle breeds like Badri produce milk that predominantly contains the A2 beta-casein protein variant, whereas A1 beta-casein is typically found in crossbred or European dairy cattle.