ICAR Achieves Breakthrough in Sahiwal Breeding Using IVF and Embryo Transfer

India has taken a major step in improving its indigenous dairy breeds with a breakthrough in assisted reproductive technology. Scientists at the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, have successfully produced Sahiwal calves using ultrasound-guided ovum pick-up (OPU), in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer (ET). The achievement is expected to accelerate the multiplication of high-quality indigenous cattle and strengthen India’s dairy sector.

The institute reported that five healthy Sahiwal calves were born within five days during trials completed in 2026. Researchers used eggs collected from elite Sahiwal cows and fertilised them in the laboratory before transferring the embryos into surrogate cows. Scientists say this allows superior animals to produce many more offspring than is possible through natural breeding, helping preserve valuable indigenous genetics.

Technology Can Multiply Superior Animals Faster

Under conventional breeding, a high-yielding cow produces only one calf at a time. With OPU-IVF-ET technology, scientists can repeatedly collect eggs from genetically superior animals, fertilise them in the laboratory and produce multiple embryos for transfer into recipient cows.

This significantly increases the number of quality calves born each year from elite breeding animals. Researchers believe the technology can shorten the time needed to improve milk production while maintaining the valuable characteristics of indigenous breeds such as disease resistance and heat tolerance.

Sahiwal is one of India’s best indigenous dairy breeds and is recognised for its high milk yield, adaptability to tropical climates and natural resistance to several diseases. However, the population of genetically superior animals remains limited.

The successful use of assisted reproductive technologies offers a faster way to conserve and expand these elite bloodlines. Scientists also standardised the technique for other indigenous breeds, including Tharparkar cattle and Murrah buffalo, opening opportunities for wider genetic improvement programmes.

Better Productivity Without Importing Genetics

India has invested heavily in conserving indigenous livestock while improving productivity through scientific breeding. Technologies such as IVF and embryo transfer help improve milk production without relying on imported cattle breeds that may not perform well under Indian climatic conditions.

Researchers say combining advanced breeding with proper nutrition, disease management and farmer training can significantly improve dairy incomes while protecting India’s native livestock diversity.

India is the world’s largest milk producer, but improving the genetic quality of dairy animals remains a national priority. Faster multiplication of elite Sahiwal cattle could benefit dairy farmers in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, where indigenous dairy breeds are widely reared.

As the technology moves beyond research farms, breeding centres, state animal husbandry departments and dairy cooperatives could use IVF and embryo transfer to produce more high-yielding indigenous animals. This would help improve milk productivity while conserving India’s valuable native breeds for future generations.

A Milestone for Indigenous Livestock Research

The successful birth of Sahiwal calves through advanced reproductive technologies marks an important achievement for Indian livestock science. Instead of depending only on conventional breeding, researchers now have a faster and more precise tool to multiply superior indigenous cattle.

If adopted on a larger scale, the technology could strengthen India’s dairy industry, improve farmer incomes and ensure that high-performing native breeds continue to play a central role in the country’s livestock sector.