Conservation of bovine genetic resources in Latvia using embryo transfer and related biotechnologies (BioReproLV) Project leader Ilga Šematoviča Vita Antāne Team of project Ilga Šematoviča Olga Ponomarjova Baiba Grāvere Vita Antāne Ivars Lūsis Guna Ringa-Karahona Lauris Štelfs Andris Grasbergs Santa Skuja Duration 2017 - 2020 Research focus 2. Preservation of biological diversity in agro- and forest biocenoses, ecosystem protection and services Source of funding National grant Project partners SIA Griezes LejiekiMPS VecauceKurzemes CMAS Description of project The aim of research The goal of the project is to preserve the genetic diversity of red dairy breed cows raised in Latvia, multiply the population of these animals, and stabilize the conservation of the gene pool of the LB and LZ breeds using embryo transfer and related biotechnology methods. The tasks of project: To establish a laboratory suitable for the needs of embryo acquisition, transfer and cryopreservationIn cooperation with specialists from the Latvian Breed Animal Breeders' Union and the Latvian Blue Cow Preservation Association, to select genetically based breeding stock and donor cowsTo carry out clinical, laboratory examination and preparation of embryo donor cows and recipients for embryo acquisition and transferEmbryo acquisition, quality assessment, cryopreservationConfirmation and accounting of the genetic identity of the obtained offspring in accordance with the procedure specified in the Breeding LawStorage of cryopreserved embryos in an embryo bank for the further implementation of the genetic program in Latvia Results The Embryo Flushing (EF) procedure has been mastered by: Šematoviča, I. Kanska, T. Martinsons, A. Vanaga, B. Grāvere, A. Grasbergs; obtained certificate to do ET in LV: I. Šematovića, I. Kanska, B. Grāvere (Appendices); acquired laboratory procedures with embryos: V.Antāne, M.Mangale, B.Grāvere, G.Ringa-Karahona, O.Ponomarjova, I.Kanska.T.Martinsons. Also, I. Šematovića is a member of AETE (Association of Embryo Technology in Europe) and IETS (International Embryo Technology Society). A set of equipment, tools and materials - a laboratory unit for the realization of the MOET field trip to different parts of Latvia where the gene pool cow lives - has been created. The study program Vete9046 has been supplemented and by studying livestock gynaecology and reproduction, students are provided with information on MOET and ART options, and students were able to participate in written MOET when it was held at LLU MPS. In addition, non-transferable embryos were frozen for student training purposes. Cryo-preserved embryo bank for further implementation are set and will be used for future aims. Now there is the foundation, the base to develop further and master the OPU / IVF and related things.
