In vitro embryo production to preserve the genetics of a 16-year-old Rotes Höhenvieh cow

Abstract

The initiation of embryo cryopreservation programs is recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to preserve genetic resources of old farm animal breeds. Rotes Höhenvieh is one of the German breeds listed as “observation population” by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). In vitro embryo production (IVP) is an assisted reproductive biotechnology that can generate embryos from cows with reproductive disorders. A 16-year-old cow of the breed Rotes Höhenvieh with a history of failed natural breeding attempts was presented to the Institute of Farm Animal Genetics of the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) with the aim to produce and cryopreserve embryos by utilizing assisted reproductive technologies. A follicle stimulation protocol for the retrieval of in vivo matured oocytes by ovum pick-up (OPU) was applied to 3 sessions of IVP. Oocytes were fertilized in vitro with frozen-thawed semen of 2 Rotes Höhenvieh bulls. After adjustments on the IVP protocol, 3 viable embryos could be produced for cryopreservation and long-term storage in the German Gene Bank of Farm Animals at the FLI.

In conclusion, the implementation of in vivo oocyte maturation in combination with in vitro embryo production in aged cows offers a vital strategy for preserving the genetics of endangered old farm animal breeds.

Zusammenfassung

Zum Erhalt der Genetik alter Nutztierrassen empfiehlt die Ernährungs- und Landwirtschaftsorganisation der Vereinten Nationen (FAO), Programme zur Kryokonservierung von Embryonen zu initiieren. Das Rote Höhenvieh ist eine der Rinderrassen, welche von der Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) als Beobachtungspopulation aufgeführt sind. Die In-vitro-Embryonenproduktion (IVP) ist eine Technik der assistierten Reproduktion und erlaubt es mitunter, Embryonen von Kühen mit Reproduktionsproblemen zu erzeugen. Eine 16 Jahre alte Kuh der Rasse Rotes Höhenvieh, welche durch Natursprung nicht mehr tragend wurde, wurde dem Institut für Nutztiergenetik des Friedrich-Loeffler-Instituts (FLI) mit dem Ziel vorgestellt, Embryonen mittels assistierter Reproduktionstechniken zu gewinnen und zu kryokonservieren. Ein Follikelstimulationsprotokoll für die Gewinnung von in vivo gereiften Eizellen durch Ovum Pick-up (OPU) in Kombination mit IVP wurde dreimal durchgeführt. Die Eizellen wurden mit aufgetautem Sperma von 2 Bullen, ebenfalls der Rasse Rotes Höhenvieh, in vitro befruchtet. Nach Adaptation des IVP-Protokolls konnten 3 vitale Embryonen für die Kryokonservierung und Langzeitlagerung in der Deutschen Genbank für landwirtschaftliche Nutztiere am FLI erzeugt werden. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen, dass die Gewinnung von in vivo gereiften Eizellen mit anschließender IVP bei alten Kühen angewendet werden kann, um einen wertvollen Beitrag zur Erhaltung der Genetik gefährdeter Rassen zu leisten.

Keywords

Cattle - endangered breeds - embryo - gene bank

Schlüsselwörter

Rinder - gefährdete Rassen - Embryo - Genbank

Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 05. März 2025

Angenommen: 16. Juli 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
15. Oktober 2025

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