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Commercial Success of ECLAIR Programme
AGRE-0018: The development, refinement and commercialization of a biotechnology based on the in vitro production, sex determination, freeze storage and transfer of bovine embryos |
AGRE-0018: The development, refinement and commercialization of a biotechnology based on the in vitro production, sex determination, freeze storage and transfer of bovine embryos
Science Background
There are commercial advantages in being able to manipulate the number, genetic background and sex of calves born to cattle. The natural biological and economic efficiency of suckled calf production is low, reflecting the reproductive rate. At the same time the greater proportion of beef calves are produced from the dairy herd, which has decreased in size as a result of imposition of milk quotas. Various attempts have been made to increase the number of calves for beef production using hormone treatments but with variable results. The transfer of additional fertilised ova (embryos) into recipient cows leading to twins, increases the efficiency of production and lowers the cost per calf. Selection of the embryos from heifers of desired genotype with good carcass characteristics and produced from high genetic merit bulls can also contribute to increased yields and quality of meat. The use of in vitro techniques to produce bovine embryos for production of beef calves from dairy cows using oocytes recovered from the ovaries of slaughterhouse cattle would enable production at relatively low cost. The ability to provide disease free frozen embryos would facilitate internatinal cattle movement and make it more feasible to capitalize on the genetic diversity that exists worldwide.
Objectives
The main objectives were to develop and refine various biotechnical applications related to the in vitro production of bovine embryos on an industrial scale. These embryos were to be of specific genotypes, which would be cultured for one week (to the blastocyst stage), then sex-determined and frozen-stored for subsequent transfer to recipient cows. The embryos were to be produced from oocytes harvested from ovaries collected from abattoirs. This required development of methods for storing the ovaries to give flexibility in timing of oocyte (ovum) recovery, methods to increase the numbers of oocytes recovered, maximization of oocyte maturation and fertilization rates, studies on sperm storage, in vitro fertilization and cultivation, a rapid method of sex determination and studies on freeze storage of embryos, as well as optimization of pregnancy and twinning rates. Finally the biological and economic efficiency of twinning using in vitro embryos was to be assessed.
Significant changes and results since end of ECLAIR
All of the objectives of the project with respect to embryo production, manipulation, cryopreservation and in vivo survival were met. The overall technology was proven in a major field trial (VALUE-CTT-479). However, other developments disrupted the effective commercialization of the results. For example, regulations arising from measures taken to control bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) meant that the use of abattoir material was restricted for the purpose of producing embryos in a commercial context. This, together with a series of acquisitions, transfer of technology from Ovamass to ABC (UK) and subsequent company liquidation, effectively brought this approach to a close. However, the activity stimulated other approaches to embryo production, manipulation and sex determination. Some of these incorporated technical advances arising from the ECLAIR project, while a number of the people associated with the project and subsequent commercial developments are still active in this area of activity, in research and in business in Europe and the USA.
Results
At the end of this ECLAIR project
By the end of the project some 100,000 cow ovaries had been collected from abattoirs. These gave over one million oocytes for in vitro embryo production. Methods were developed to freeze the embryos in the form of 7-day-old blastocysts, using ethylene glycol as a cryoprotectant, in liquid nitrogen. The viability of these embryos was established, using some 1,600 heifers and cows as recipients to which the embryos were transferred (non-surgically from the straws in which they were frozen). This activity was supported by a detailed analysis of the whole process, including impact on the embryos and animal performance, enabling optimization of an industrial scale production process. Pregnancy and twinning rates were recorded at 67% and 38% respectively for fresh embryos and at 65% and 32% for frozen embryos. The benefits in terms of feed-energy use and calf weight were determined and the expected benefits realized. Validation of the results was required, prior to full commercialization. A proposal to carry out this work was accepted for funding by the VALUE programme.
Current position
The original coordinator, an Irish SME - Ovamass Ltd., was acquired by Animal Biotechnology Cambridge Ltd (ABC), who developed and marketed the product as Mastercalf, carrying out or contributing to further research in the UK (see below). This included work at the Scottish Agricultural College leading to another product marketed as ScotCalf. Results at this unit were variable, depending in part on the skills of those involved. In some cases concern was raised due to incidence of large-calf syndrome, as well as calf deaths and fertility problems. The beef market did not develop as expected and the various companies that had evolved went into liquidation. At this time, ABC/Mastercalf also had rights to a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) developed technology for sex determination of bull semen. This residual business was sold to XY Inc, a joint venture with Cytomation (manufacturer of cell-sorting technology) in the United States. This has been applied in the UK by Cogent, while XY UK Ltd, revived the Mastercalf name. However, this is a completely new company registration carrying out a different business (meat testing). Several companies in Ireland, the UK, France, Germany and Italy have entered the market place and are producing embryos from living animals, using a process known as ovum pickup. This is a combination of in vivo and in vitro technology. The concepts and knowledge derived from the ECLAIR project have contributed in part to these continuing activities, with some of the people involved in the project still active in this area.
Impact
Commercial
The original technology developed under the ECLAIR project was not successfully commercialised by ABC, due mainly to BSE-related restrictions and the large-calf syndrome, etc. However, much of the research results have contributed to alternative approaches to embryo production and sexing and there is currently a considerable amount of commercial activity in this area.
Associated
Ovamass Ltd carried out further related work under VALUE CTT-479: Field testing of IVF cattle embryos following an in-straw freezing and thawing protocol. In the UK, the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) and the Meat and Livestock Commission supported further research at the University of Reading in association with Mastercalf, under a LINK programme . This ‘designer beef’ project carried out trials using in vitro embryos, looking at breeding, foetal losses, calf performance, carcass and meat quality. It was concluded that the technology had not advanced far enough to allow commercial exploitation (1994). In the next few years, results were published by the Scottish Agricultural College (UK), using in vitro embryos supplied by Animal Biotechnology Cambridge, indicating improvements that could be made in management of the technology. The technique is of value if applied to the preservation of rare or endangered breeds.
Further information
(1995) In vitro produced embryos as a means of achieving pregnancy and improving productivity in beef cows. Animal Science, 60, 55-64
Sinclair, K.D., Broadbent, P.J., Dolman, D.F., Watt, R.C. and Mullan, J.S. (1995) Establishing twin pregnancies in cattle by embryo transfer. Animal Science, 61 25-33
Sinclair, K.D. and Broadbent, P.J. (1996) Increasing the efficiency of suckled calf production using embryo transfer technology. Veterinary Record, October, 409-412.
Contacts
Author
Scottish Agricultural Col
TEAGASC
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Updated
by CPL Press:
03/07/2007
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