Inner Mongolia sees world-first camel embryo transfer

An embryo transfer expert from Iran was invited to do the first domestic camel embryo transfer during Spring Festival by the Inner Mongolia Institute of Camel Research and Alxa League Animal Husbandry Research Institute, nmgnews.com.cn reported.

At the camel breeding base of Altan-Oboo town, Alshaa Right Banner, southwestern Inner Mongolia autonomous region, the University of Tehran’s professor Amir, who has studied camel breeding for more than 30 years, carried out in the field the camel embryo transfer, which is expected to finish by the end of February.

According to Amir, each cow camel can produce seven to eight calves in its lifetime. With embryo transfer technology, each cow can produce 20 embryos or 10 calves every year. When the number of cow camels increases, the yield of milk will also rise. An Alxa bactrian camel produces about a kilogram of milk a day, while the international bactrian camel can make at least 5 kilograms of milk a day. If an Alxa bactrian camel could generate 5 kilograms of milk daily, the milk capacity of raising one camel would equal that of five camels, helping to boost the income of herdsmen.

"This is the first bactrian camel embryo transfer in the world, and it is also the first attempt in our country. About 30 embryos will be implanted this year,” Juramt, the director of the Inner Mongolia Institute of Camel Research, introduced.

The offspring produced by embryo transfers have superior genetic quality compared to hybrid improved varieties. At the same time, embryo transfers are also conducive to the preservation of variety resources, the establishment of a gene pool of improved varieties and the promotion of improved varieties, playing a positive role in the development and protection of the Alxa bactrian camel industry.