Ashikho Pfuzhe
Dimapur | September 22
A breakthrough standardized protocol on artificial insemination (AI) in Mithun (Bos frontalis) developed by the National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM), Jharnapani, may serve as a booster injection to the dwindling mithun population in Nagaland. Using the standardized protocol, the institute has been able to successfully produce AI calves both in the farm and field condition.
In the first experiment carried out at the institute’s farm, Jharnapani, three mithun cows were inseminated with cryopreserved mithun semen. All three animals conceived and the first AI mithun calf in India was born in August 2006. After the successful experiment, the institute decided to percolate this technology to the farmer’s level.
A mithun rearing area of Khonoma village was selected and two mithun cows were synchronised into estrus (female heat) by using the protocol. Both the mithun cows conceived and one of the animals gave birth to a healthy male calf on May 6, 2010, the first AI mithun calf born in field condition.
Scientists at NRCM said cryopreserved semen used for inseminating the Mithun cows were collected from genetically superior bulls and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen using tris-egg yolk-glycerol diluent.
Though AI is probably the most popular and extensively used biotechnological tool in the area of animal husbandry, in the case of mithun reared in semi-wild free range condition, it becomes difficult to monitor reproductive parameters like onset of estrus and early pregnancy diagnosis.
Director of NRCM, Dr. C Rajkhowa said that under semi-intensive system the detection of heat in mithun cow is not an easy task it is a “shy animal” and very often expresses “silent heat.”
However, NRCM scientists have been able to regulate estrus and manipulate the reproductive processes in the mithun cow through estrus synchronization protocol, Rajkhowa said.
The institute has also devised novel techniques to collect and preserve mithun semen for AI. Scientists said that collection of mithun semen is a tough task as the mithun bull has “poor sex drive.”
The advantages of AI include maximum possible use of a superior sire for selective breeding and prevention of infectious genital diseases to bull through female and improving mithun productivity.
NRCM has also another mithun farm in Porba village under Phek district and besides other research activities, the institute also conducts mithun fairs to train and educate farmers on animal health care and reproduction and propagation of mithuns.
Declared the official animal and logo of Nagaland state, mithun plays an integral role in the economic, social and cultural life of the Nagas and the meat of this ceremonial animal is mostly consumed during traditional festivals.
However, there is a marked decline in mithun population in Nagaland over the past years.
The decline is attributed to natural resources becoming limited and decrease in green cover due to jhumming and deforestation, collusion between farmers rearing mithun and other villagers over forest jurisdiction and slaughter of the animal for meat.
NRCM scientists feel that the majestic mithun is presently in a “vulnerable position” and may face possible extinction if special attention is not paid to conserve this species without further delay.
