Biotechnology in Livestock Production

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

Two areas genetic engineering embryo transfer

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

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

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

Examples disease resistant animals growth regulators new drugs and vaccines

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BST causing increased BST production in the cow

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)

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

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

PST production decreases as an animal matures

PST produced through RDNA technology

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.

PST C. improves feed efficiency and decrease fat deposition

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

Results must be injected daily

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

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

1. Two primary areas of biotechnology A. genetic engineering and tissue culture B. tissue culture and rDNA technology C. genetic engineering and embryo transfer D. rDNA technology and plasmid mapping

2. BST stands for: A. Been Seen Talking B. Bovine Somathing C. Bovine Somatotropin

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

3. BST is produced naturally in the cow in the ____ A. pituitary gland B. endocrine gland C. spleen D. thyroid gland

4. The use of BST has shown the following results in dairy cattle: A. increased milk production by 35% each day B. Decreased milk production by 15% over the lactation C. Increased fat deposition D. Increased milk production by 40% over a 305 day lactation

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

5. BST and PST are produced through: A. selective breeding of livestock B. genetic engineering and rDNA technology C. splicing the gene that controls BST or PST production into agrobacteria and injecting into the animal D. both B And C

Biotech in Crop Production the first plant patented

6. Functions of PST are: A. increasing feed efficiency B. increasing cell division of muscle tissue C. decreases fat storage and increases the accumulation of protein D. All of the above

Other areas researched herbicide resistance pest resistance frost resistance salt tolerant drought resistance

7. The first plant to be patented was: A. Wheat B. Rice C. barley D. sorghum E. corn

8. Corn plants have been developed that: A. have increased levels of creatine B. have increased levels of tryptophan C. have decreased levels of tryptophan D. have increased levels of argenine

Embryo Transfer well established in cattle industry, especially dairy

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

Process donor cow then artificially inseminated

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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