August 2008 Biotechnology in Livestock Production

August 2008 Definition the science of altering genetic and reproductive processes in plants and animals

August 2008 Two areas genetic engineering embryo transfer

August 2008 Genetic Engineering is based on a technology involving recombinant DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid

August 2008 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

August 2008 Genetic Engineering purpose - to have the recipient organism take on the characteristic controlled by the transferred gene

August 2008 Examples disease resistant animals growth regulators new drugs and vaccines

August 2008 Examples specify size and sex of animals organism that “eats” oil used in the Persian Gulf

August 2008 BST Bovine Somatotropin (Bovine Growth Hormone) Somatotropins are proteins that affect the utilization of energy in the body

August 2008 BST causes energy derived from feed to be used for milk production rather than weight gain

August 2008 BST does not reduce energy available for body maintenance increases energy available by improving breakdown of fat and increasing appetite

August 2008 BST small amounts of BST are produced naturally in the cow by the pituitary gland

August 2008 BST previously, the only source of BST for research has been from pituitary glands of dead cows

August 2008 BST now, because of genetic engineering, large quantities of BST can be produced

August 2008 BST gene that controls BST production is spliced into the DNA of a bacteria “Agrobacteria” is injected into a cow

August 2008 BST causing increased BST production in the cow

August 2008 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)

August 2008 Formula 20,000# X 40% = 8000# of extra milk $10/cwt =$800

August 2008 Porcine Somatotropin is produced naturally by the pituitary gland of the pig it acts as a growth regulator

August 2008 PST production decreases as an animal matures

August 2008 PST produced through RDNA technology

August 2008 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.

August 2008 PST C. improves feed efficiency and decrease fat deposition

August 2008 Results A. increase in feed efficiency 29% B. increase daily gain 19% C. increase loin eye area 12% D. decreases fat 33%

August 2008 Results must be injected daily

August 2008 Opposition to “Biotech” people fear production of new uncontrollable disease freak animals

August 2008 Opposition to “Biotech” long term adverse effects of environment from products

August 2008 Biotech in Crop Production lowered costs and increased yields improved feeding values new corn plant

August 2008 Biotech in Crop Production produces higher levels of tryptophan amino acid essential for protein formation in an animals body.

August 2008 Biotech in Crop Production the first plant patented

August 2008 Other areas researched herbicide resistance pest resistance frost resistance salt tolerant drought resistance

August 2008 Embryo Transfer well established in cattle industry, especially dairy

August 2008 Process cow is treated with hormones to cause “superovulation” can produce as many as 25 eggs

August 2008 Process donor cow then artificially inseminated

August 2008 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.

August 2008 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.

August 2008 Process ovaries and oviducts are massaged & flushed with fluid-which washes the fertilized eggs out of the body into a cylinder

August 2008 Process individual embryos are located under a microscope and put into a straw

August 2008 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

August 2008 Process freezing protocol now widely used most transfer work is done non-surgically with success rates of approximately 75%

August 2008 Splitting research has also successfully split embryos resulting in as many as 5 identical calves

August 2008 Slow Progress many characteristics are controlled by multiple genes instead of a single gene

August 2008 Slow Progress lack of money for research government regulations environmental groups filing lawsuits to stop research and testing

August 2008 Slow Progress many farmers don’t support genetic engineering because they feel we already have surplus production