Modern Developments in Biotechnology Embryotransfer of the Kalmyk Meat Breed

In the Republic of Kalmykia, the state of Kalmyk meat cattle is alarming, since proper selection work with the breed has not been carried out for many years, which led to a significant reduction in purebred livestock (Willett et al. in Science 113:247–248, 1951). The problem of the speedy restoration of breed qualities is extremely acute and its solution is possible only under the condition of accelerated reproduction of purebred genotyped livestock using embryo transplantation methods. Despite the fact that the embryotransfer method is currently in a position of functional self-sufficiency, some elements of the technology, such as stimulation of superovulation, are time-consuming or unpredictable, and cryopreservation methods carry high risks in relation to the preservation of the viability of embryos. The aim of the study is to develop effective ways to stimulate poliovulation and cryopreservation of embryos, as one of the fundamental factors in the embryotransfer methodology, in connection with the accelerated reproduction of the Kalmyk meat breed in nomadic animal husbandry. The work was carried out in 2010 in JSC “Kalmytskoye” for breeding work”, in 2017 in CJSC “Ababkovskoye” of the Nizhny Novgorod region and LLC “Batu plus” of Kalmykia and in 2022 in the Regional Research and Production Center for the Reproduction of Farm Animals of the FSBEI HE “Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov”. When developing methods of stimulation of poliovulation and cryopreservation of embryos, cows and heifers of mating age of Krasnogorbatovskaya meat and dairy and Kalmyk meat breeds were used. As a result of the research, a method for stimulating poliovulation with a prolonged form of FSH and a method for balancing embryos in a cryoprotector during freezing and thawing were developed.