UNAIR NEWS – The growth of cattle in Indonesia has been slowing down from year to year. Data from the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health shows that in 2017, bred cattle reached 16.4 million, and they are still concentrated in Java.
Prof. Dr. Widjiati, drh., M.Si. during her conferment as a professor of Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) delivered a scientific oration on embryo transfer program (TE) as a solution for breeding cattle in Indonesia. Prof. Widjiati said that it is time to think of other assisting reproductive technologies besides artificial insemination to overcome the slow growth of cattle population.
To improve the TE program, embryo stock is needed. The embryo stock will be able to sustain the success of a program that affects the pregnancy rate of cattle. It is no longer dependent on the results of natural reproductive process or artificial insemination but can be through TE. Embryos can be produced in vivo or in vitro.
“In vitro fertilization technology can be used as a way to mass produce embryos,” she said.
“With the stock of donor female cow with superior genetic sources of oocytes and males that are genetically superior as a source of spermatozoa,” she added.
The results of her research found that embryo does not need glucose as a source of nutrient before passing cell block because it cannot break down glucose, so embryo still uses genomes or genetic material from the parent.
Cow embryos produced in vitro play an essential role in increasing livestock productivity. In vitro embryo production can make a genetic selection, making it possible to maintain superior genetics. This technology can also be used to improve infertility.
Prof. Widjiati also revealed that Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is the latest technology that can be used to overcome the failure of fertilization. ICSI helps with several important processes during fertilization. The ICSI technique is applied to help the spermatozoa penetrate the oocyte and increase the rate of fertilization.
Prof. Widjiati concluded her oration with a recommendation to the government, to implement embryo transfer as a solution to reduce meat imports. The cattle farming industry in Indonesia is no longer afraid of the lack of processing cattle. Also, labor training in the laboratory is necessary to improve embryo transfer skills. (*)
Author: Aditya Novrian
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
