In a groundbreaking achievement, China has successfully cloned two endangered cattle breeds from Xizang—the Zhangmu and Apeijiaza cattle! 🐮✨ Scientists announced on Monday that four male calves of each breed were born in Yunyang County, Chongqing Municipality, marking the world's first successful cloning of cattle from Xizang.
\"We collected ear tissues from the two breeds and established fibroblast cell lines in the lab,\" explained Yu Dawei, a researcher at the Institute of Animal Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. \"Then we used somatic cell nuclear transfer technology to prepare cloned embryos, which were transplanted into surrogate cattle. After full-term pregnancy, we welcomed eight healthy cloned calves!\"
These endangered cattle are native to the stunning Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, and preserving them is crucial for biodiversity. 🌍❤️ In 2022, a rescue and protection initiative was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the National Animal Husbandry Station, and local departments in Xizang. Through cutting-edge technologies like somatic cell conservation and cloning embryo restoration, scientists are giving these rare breeds a new lease on life.
Yu added, \"Next, we'll continue cloned embryo transplantation of Zhangmu and Apeijiaza cattle in Xizang. By integrating cloning with conventional breeding methods, we aim to build a complete system for the protection and utilization of genetic resources.\"
This milestone not only signifies a leap forward in biotechnology but also a commitment to conserving China's rich animal heritage. 🌿💪 Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey of science and conservation!
Reference(s):
China confirms first successful cloning of endangered Xizang cattle
cgtn.com
