Explainer: India’s first IVF Gir calf born from a cloned donor cow

Adding another feather to its cap, scientists at the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) have successfully produced the country’s first Gir calf using a unique combination of three cutting-edge reproductive technologies — cloning, ovum pick-up (OPU) and in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). This landmark achievement has significantly shortened the breeding cycle from the conventional 46–50 months to just 39 months. The breakthrough paves the way for faster multiplication of elite indigenous cattle and offers new hope for breed conservation, genetic improvement and self-reliance in dairy production.

What are the main steps involved in combining cloning, ovum pick-up and IVF?

The process began with the cloning of a genetically superior Gir cow. The donor cow, named Ganga, was produced using cells taken from the tail of a high-yielding Gir cow with elite genetic traits. Once Ganga reached reproductive maturity in around 18 months, oocytes were collected from her using a non-surgical, ultrasound-guided OPU technique. These oocytes were then matured in a laboratory setting and fertilised with semen from a genetically superior Gir bull through IVF. The resulting embryos were implanted into a Sahiwal surrogate cow, which carried the pregnancy to term, resulting in the birth of a healthy Gir calf named ‘Shravani’ since she was born in holy Shravan month. This is for the first time in India that oocytes from a cloned donor cow were used for IVF.

What challenges were faced during the integration of cloning and IVF?

Integrating cloning and IVF presented multiple challenges for the scientists, as the technique differed significantly from traditional breeding methods. One of the primary challenges was ensuring that the cloned cow, Ganga, achieved reproductive maturity within the expected time frame and was capable of producing viable oocytes. Around 50 oocytes were successfully collected from her. The team also had to perfect the non-invasive OPU process to make it repeatable and safe. Besides, maintaining high embryo survival rates during fertilisation and ensuring successful implantation into the surrogate cow were critical hurdles. Proper pregnancy management and monitoring of the surrogate cow’s health added another layer of complexity. However, through careful planning and scientific precision, all these obstacles were successfully overcome.

What was the timeline from birth of cloned calf to the birth of Gir calf?

The entire process — from the birth of the cloned donor cow, Ganga, to her maturity, oocyte collection, IVF, embryo transfer, and finally the birth of the calf — was completed in approximately 39 months. This timeline is significantly shorter than the 46 to 50 months typically required through conventional breeding practices. Ganga was born on March 16, 2023, and her elite genetic makeup made her an ideal donor for this groundbreaking experiment.

What makes this calf birth a first-of-its-kind in India or globally?

This calf birth is considered a first-of-its-kind in India because it is for the first time that a Gir calf has been born through IVF using oocytes collected from a cloned Gir cow. While both cloning and IVF have been practiced independently, combining the two for the rapid propagation of an indigenous cattle breed such as Gir is unprecedented. This not only showcases India’s scientific capability, but also sets a global precedent in the field of animal biotechnology.

Were there any abnormalities or health risks observed in the new born calf?

No abnormalities or health risks have been reported in the newborn calf. The calf is healthy and growing normally, which demonstrates the safety, precision and success of the integrated cloning and IVF approach.

How will this breakthrough help in improving milk production in India?

This achievement allows for the rapid multiplication of genetically elite bulls and cows, which in turn can lead to higher milk production and improved breed quality across the country. It also ensures that superior germplasm can be utilised efficiently, helping to enhance the genetic traits of future generations of dairy cattle.

Can this technique be used to preserve indigenous breeds or endangered species?

Yes, the integration of cloning, OPU and IVF provides a powerful tool for conserving endangered and indigenous breeds. By multiplying elite animals more efficiently, the technique helps maintain and revive valuable genetic traits that are at risk of being lost due to declining populations.

Will this make high-yielding cows more accessible to small-scale farmers?

Eventually, yes. Although the process is currently high-tech and limited at lab level, but in future, the ability to produce more elite animals at a faster rate means that semen from superior bulls and high-yielding cows could become more widely available through artificial insemination programmes. This would benefit smallholder farmers, improving their productivity and income.

What are the next steps in research after this successful calf birth?

The next phase of research includes replicating the process on more cloned donors and indigenous breeds to confirm consistency and scalability. Long-term health monitoring of calves born through this technique will also be conducted to ensure safety.

Haryana Tribune