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Biotechnology in Livestock Production

Explore how genetic engineering and embryo transfer revolutionize livestock production, enhancing traits like disease resistance and growth rates. Discover the benefits and controversies surrounding biotech advancements in agriculture.

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Biotechnology in Livestock Production

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  1. Biotechnology in Livestock Production Modified by Georgia Agricultural Education Office June, 2002

  2. Definition • the science of altering genetic and reproductive processes in plants and animals

  3. Two areas • genetic engineering • embryo transfer

  4. Genetic Engineering • is based on a technology involving recombinant DNA • Deoxyribonucleic acid

  5. Genetic Engineering • involves taking a tiny bit of DNA containing the desired gene from one organism and splicing it into the DNA strand of another organism

  6. Genetic Engineering • purpose - to have the recipient organism take on the characteristic controlled by the transferred gene

  7. Examples • disease resistant animals • growth regulators • new drugs and vaccines

  8. Examples • specify size and sex of animals • organism that “eats” oil used in the Persian Gulf

  9. BST • Bovine Somatotropin (Bovine Growth Hormone) • Somatotropins are proteins that affect the utilization of energy in the body

  10. BST • causes energy derived from feed to be used for milk production rather than weight gain

  11. BST • does not reduce energy available for body maintenance • increases energy available by improving breakdown of fat and increasing appetite

  12. BST • small amounts of BST are produced naturally in the cow by the pituitary gland

  13. BST • previously, the only source of BST for research has been from pituitary glands of dead cows

  14. BST • now, because of genetic engineering, large quantities of BST can be produced

  15. BST • gene that controls BST production is spliced into the DNA of a bacteria “Agrobacteria” • is injected into a cow

  16. BST • causing increased BST production in the cow

  17. BST • research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Cornell University in New York has showed an average increase of 40% over lactation (305 days)

  18. Formula • 20,000# X 40% = 8000# of extra milk • 8000# @ $10/cwt =$800

  19. Porcine Somatotropin • is produced naturally by the pituitary gland of the pig • it acts as a growth regulator

  20. PST • production decreases as an animal matures

  21. PST • produced through RDNA technology

  22. PST • how it works • A. causes an increase in cell division in muscle tissue. • B. causes decrease in fat storage and increases in accumulation of protein.

  23. PST • C. improves feed efficiency and decrease fat deposition

  24. Results • A. increase in feed efficiency 29% • B. increase daily gain 19% • C. increase loin eye area 12% • D. decreases fat 33%

  25. Results • must be injected daily

  26. Opposition to “Biotech” • people fear • production of new uncontrollable disease • freak animals

  27. Opposition to “Biotech” • long term adverse effects of environment from products

  28. Biotech in Crop Production • lowered costs and increased yields • improved feeding values • new corn plant

  29. Biotech in Crop Production • produces higher levels of tryptophan • amino acid essential for protein formation in an animals body.

  30. Biotech in Crop Production • the first plant patented

  31. Other areas researched • herbicide resistance • pest resistance • frost resistance • salt tolerant • drought resistance

  32. Embryo Transfer • well established in cattle industry, especially dairy

  33. Process • cow is treated with hormones to cause “superovulation” • can produce as many as 25 eggs

  34. Process • donor cow then artificially inseminated

  35. Process • during this process, “Recipient” cows or heifers are treated with hormones to synchronize their heat cycle to be the same as the donor cow.

  36. Process • after the eggs are fertilized and before they leave the oviduct, the cow is “flushed” with a saline solution or a solution of egg yolk and D.M.S.O.

  37. Process • ovaries and oviducts are massaged & flushed with fluid-which washes the fertilized eggs out of the body into a cylinder

  38. Process • individual embryos are located under a microscope and put into a straw

  39. Process • embryos may be frozen much the same as cattle semen samples • first research in the U.S. was done in central WI in 1982

  40. Process • freezing protocol now widely used • most transfer work is done non-surgically with success rates of approximately 75%

  41. Splitting • research has also successfully split embryos resulting in as many as 5 identical calves

  42. Slow Progress • many characteristics are controlled by multiple genes instead of a single gene

  43. Slow Progress • lack of money for research • government regulations • environmental groups filing lawsuits to stop research and testing

  44. Slow Progress • many farmers don’t support genetic engineering because they feel we already have surplus production

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