LECTURE I

ANS 416
ANIMAL BIOTECHNOLOGY
Course Outline
2
ANS 416: Animal Biotechnology

Definition of biotechnology; use of biotechnology in reproduction;
artificial insemination, embryo transfer; cloning and its concepts;
transgenic animals and their value; conservation of genetic
materials; biotechnology in animal nutrition: Types of rumen
microflora, modification of rumen microflora through nutrition and
biotechnology; probiotics and enzymes; metabolic modifiers:
types (e.g. somatotropins, bovine placental lactogen, conjugated
linoleic acid) and effect on animal performance and quality of
food products (e.g. designer eggs); chelation and utilization of
inorganic elements; biotechnology and animal health; vaccines;
oligosaccharides and competitive inhibition; safety and ethical
issues in animal biotechnology; patenting issues.
Definition of Biotechnology
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While biotechnology has been defined in many forms in essence it
implies the use of microbial, animal or plant cells or enzymes to
synthesise, break down or transform materials.
Biotechnology is MULTIDISPLINARY industry
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USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN
ANIMAL PRODUCTION
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Somatic
cell culture
Nuclear transfer
(cloning)
Vaccines
Hybridomas
Probes
Monoclonals
diagnostics
Artificial
insemination
Probiotics
Enzymes / hormones
Growth
promotion
Unlimited
asexual multiplication
QuickTime and a TI FF( Uncompr essed) decompr essor ar eneeded t osee t his pict ur e.
Limited
asexual multiplication
Altered
properties
Micro-injection
Transgenic embryo
R
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Animal Biotechnology
In vitro
fertilisation
Embryo transfer
Superovulation
Oocytes
Deep freezing
Embryo splitting
In vitro embryo culture
Artificial insemination?
Artificial insemination is the placing of semen in
the female reproductive tract by
artificial techniques.
The use of this technique has
increased over the past several years
due to advancements in
technology.
The process varies by species, but it typically
involves specialized equipment and a trained
technician.
Steps involved in artificial insemination?
The technician deposits a prepared unit of semen
into the reproductive tract of the female at a
predetermined time.
The objective of artificial insemination is to deposit
the semen at the appropriate time to achieve
fertilization.
Timing varies by species of animal and should be
closely studied prior to implementing artificial
insemination.
There are several different segments that support
the process of artificial insemination.
Some of the major segments include:
A. Semen CollectionArtificial insemination
requires that semen be collected from the male.
Semen may be collected via manual stimulation or
theuse of an artificial vagina.
The technique used depends on the species from which
the semen is being collected.
A. Semen Collection
B. Semen evaluationAfter semen is
collected from the male, it
is evaluated for quality.
Only the highest quality
semen is utilized for
artificial insemination.
The semen must be evaluated under a
microscope to verify that it contains an
appropriate number of living sperm cells.
If approved for use, the sperm is then
processed to increase utilization.
B. Semen evaluation
C. Semen extensionSemen is extended during the
processing phase, which allows for a single
collection to be divided into many units.
Only one unit is required for artificial insemination; by
extending it, the semen can be used for several
breedings.
To extend semen, specialized compounds are added to
enhance the viability and storage of the sperm cells.
Depending on the species, often nutrients are added to
expand the mass of each semen unit.
C. Semen extension
D. Semen storageSemen is stored in one of
two ways.
It is either frozen to extremely low temperatures or
maintained fresh until use.
How semen is stored depends on the species.
For example, cattle semen is slowly cooled and frozen
at a temperature of 320F (196C).
Liquid nitrogen is used to obtain these extreme
temperatures. Properly frozen and stored semen can
remain viable and be used 30 to 40 years later.
The frozen semen is thawed prior to use in a 95 to
98F (33 to 34C) water bath.
D. Semen storage
E. Sexing semen
X-chromosome-bearing bull sperm (which lead to females) have
about 4% more DNA than Y-chromosome-bearing ones (which
lead to males). By placing sperm in a solution of DNA-binding dye,
X-chromosome-bearing sperm become more brightly stained than
Y-chromosome-bearing sperm. By use of lasers plus a device
called a cell sorter, it is possible to separate the sperm into three
test tubes, male, female, and unsexable (the great majority).
Those in the sexed test tubes accumulate at about 1,000 sperm
per second, with an accuracy of just over 80%.
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L A S E R
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X s o r t Y s o r t
Sperm
Stained
With DNA
Sensitive
Fluorescent
Dye
Flow Cytometer Separation of X and Y Sperm
Advantages of AI
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Disadvantages of AI
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EMBRYO TRANSFER
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Embryonic stages
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Early stages of mammalian embryo development
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What is embryo transfer?
Embryo Transfer This procedure is when an
embryo in its early development is
transferred from its own mother to a recipient
mother.
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Embryo Transfer
Genetic progress is achieved fairly quickly than with
artificial insemination.
AI limits progress to male side of genetic
contribution

Embryo transfer allows each a cow to produce many
offspring and offers more rapid genetic gain.
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How is embryo transfer done?
1. The process of cattle embryo transfer begins by selecting
a genetically outstanding, well-nourished, non-pregnant
embryo donor (heifer or cow). At the same time, 10 to
15 non-pregnant females (embryo recipients) are
identified.
2. Super ovulation The donor cow is super ovulated by
using injectable hormones. An average donor cow
produces 6 transferable embryos. However 0-25
embryos can be expected.
3. Insemination Cattle that are super ovulated are heat
detected and inseminated at both 12 and 24 hours after
heat with two straws of semen.
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4. After 7 days, the embryos have developed into a
transferable state.
5. When the 7 days are up, a special solution is pushed into
the reproductive tract of the donor and the embryos are
washed out of her.
6. The solution that comes out of the tract is taken into a
laboratory and searched for embryos.
7. The embryos can be freshly transferred into another cow
that is in the same part of her cycle as the donor or, they
can be frozen.

How is embryo transfer done (2)
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Artificial
insemination
Embryo transfer : common practice
Donor
female
Recipient
female
Superovulation
(PMSG and/or FSH)
Induction of oestrus
(PGF
2a
)
Selection
Manipulation
Cryopreservation
Embryo placement
Embryo collection
- surgical (sheep)
- non-surgical (cattle)
Synchronized
1 x
100 x
PMSG: Pregnant Mare Serum
Gonadotropin
FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone
PGF: Prostaglandin F
ET -
Scheme
Stimulating Follicular Development
E
s
t
r
u
s

E
s
t
r
u
s

eCG or
FSH
Progesterone
From C.L.
First Follicular
Wave
10-12
Multiple
Ovulations
PGF
2a

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Foley catheter
Straw (0.25 ml)
Embryo collection
Cryopreservation
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What are the benefits of embryo transfer?
To produce more offspring from a valuable dam.
Some infertility problems can be avoided.
Prevents disease transmission.
Reproduce some endangered species faster than
normally possible.
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What are the limitations of embryo transfer?
Decreases genetic diversity
Decreased diversity often leads to mutations
Expensive and time consuming procedure

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Embryo Transfer
Who is this practical for?
Seed stock producers
An animal of genetic superiority whose offspring is demanded
by the industry.

Course Outline
31
ANS 416: Animal Biotechnology

Definition of biotechnology; use of biotechnology in
reproduction; artificial insemination, embryo transfer;
cloning and its concepts; transgenic animals and their value;
conservation of genetic materials; biotechnology in animal
nutrition: Types of rumen microflora, modification of rumen
microflora through nutrition and biotechnology; probiotics and
enzymes; metabolic modifiers: types (e.g. somatotropins, bovine
placental lactogen, conjugated linoleic acid) and effect on animal
performance and quality of food products (e.g. designer eggs);
chelation and utilization of inorganic elements; biotechnology and
animal health; vaccines; oligosaccharides and competitive
inhibition; safety and ethical issues in animal biotechnology;
patenting issues.