Production, cryopreservation, and transfer of Murrah embryos through Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) technology in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has approximately 0.32 million buffaloes experiencing stagnant growth over the last few decades. MOET would be a better approach for the rapid multiplication of existing genetically superior buffalos. The objective of the study was conducted over 15 months to establish MOET for buffalos to improve milk production and the genetic value of their population in Sri Lanka. Superovulation (n=10) of buffalos was conducted using a modified, FSH-based standard protocol. Three artificial inseminations (AI) were conducted in 12 hrs. intervals from the estrous with imported Murrah semen. At the embryo flushing, 18 embryos were collected using a retrograde flushing technique. Out of that, Compacted morulae (n=3), Morulae (n=12), Damaged (n=2), and Degenerating oocytes (n=1) were identified while classifying those into 'Excellent' (n=4), 'Good' (n=8), Fair (n=2), Poor (n=3) and Degenerated/Unfertilized (n=1) categories. A set of embryos (n=6) were cryopreserved under vitrification technology for 6-8 months. One pregnancy in each fresh (n=8) and frozen (n=6) embryo transfer was reported at day 56 of post-insemination. However, those were terminated before the term. The study highlights the feasibility of MOET for buffalo population expansion in Sri Lanka. Optimizing MOET would be an important biotechnological tool to expedite the expansion of the buffalo population while providing genetically superior buffalo calves to the farmers in Sri Lanka.