Embryos Into The Cow example essay topic

Embryo transfer is the process of taking fertilized embryos from one animal and inserting them into another. This is very useful today in cattle, because now it is economically feasible and it allows the producer a greater number of offspring from one cow with desirable traits. The process starts normally by artificially inseminating the cow. Exactly seven days later, the uterus is flushed, and the embryos and ova. Next, the embryos will be isolated.

The embryos are then inserted into the recipient cow. Artificially inseminating the cow is the preferred way to fertilize the eggs in the donor cow. The cow should be inseminated at least three times at intervals of twelve hours, to insure fertilization. In preparation for AI, a shot of FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) should be given to the cow to super-ovulate her.

This causes more eggs to drop from the ovaries, allowing more embryos. Seven days after the cow is inseminated the third time, her uterus should be flushed. Before flushing the cow, her posterior should be cleaned up as much as possible. After this is complete, an instrument known as the "introduced" is inserted into the vagina.

The instrument is much like a long syringe with a plunger going through the center. The vet then will push his hand through the anus and guide the introduced along the cervix. The instrument is pushed through the cervix and into the uterus. Once it reaches the uterus, the plunger is pulled out and a catheter is inserted into the uterus, against the uterine horn, through the center of the introduced.

The "cuff", a small balloon type object, is inflated in the cow's uterus, and a sodium based phosphate is released for lubrication. It is then pumped back through the introduced, and filtered by an embryo filter. The liquid caught by the filter is then examined to determine the number of good embryos. At this stage, the sex can even be determined. They are graded, then placed in straws or frozen for later use. Implanting the embryos into the cow is done just like artificial insemination.

The straw is inserted in the vagina, while the vet's hand guides the straw through the cervix, and then released into the uterus. Success of the process can be determined one to three months later through palpation. The embryos can be stored safely at 37 degrees Fahrenheit for six-eight hours, however implanting as soon as possible is recommended for the best results. They also can be frozen and stored for long amounts of time. They are frozen in liquid nitrogen, and can last for up to five years through this method. This makes it considerably easier in that a farmer can buy embryos in any part of the world and receive them fairly cheap.

The first successful embryo transfer was in England in the early 1890's by Walter Heap, done on rabbits. It was not reasonable for this process to be done in cattle until the late 1980's. The major break through came with the discovery of FSH, but even then, embryo transfer could only be done surgically. Even though this method was effective, it required much work and was not worth the money. Just recently has it caught on as a smart practice on many farms. As with everything dealing with genetics, this is still being researched, and better ways to complete this process are still being discovered.

This is a smart practice for large farms!