In 63 years, the Humpback cow population has declined from 282,000 head to 230 head.
Specialists of the L.K. Ernst All-Russian Institute of Animal Husbandry reported that they managed to save the Humpback breed of cows from extinction. This breed of cows is considered one of the most valuable for its milk, which has a fat content of 6%, as well as for its extraordinary resistance to leukosis, tuberculosis and brucellosis.
However, in 2013 there were only 230 cows of this breed. The disappearance of the breed threatened the loss of valuable genomic components that are associated with adaptive traits, health status and product quality.
In order to preserve the number of cows, scientists selected purebred heifers and using the seed of purebred bulls of the Red Humpbacked breed obtained two bulls of the Red Humpbacked breed, which will be used to create a seed bank.
At the same time, the selected heifers will become egg donors for obtaining embryos by in vitro fertilization.
“It is planned to lay in the cryobank at least 2000 doses of seed and at least 200 embryos, which will allow to preserve this valuable national genetic resource”, - reported in the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.
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