Researchers have made a significant scientific breakthrough after successfully cloning two Tibetan lambs using the body cells of adult sheep.
The two Tibetan lambs were born in China’s Qinghai province on Sunday, 25th February, as part of a programme aimed to prevent the plateau livestock breed from degenerating.
The Chinese scientists from the Northwest A&F University located in the province of Shaanxi, harvested the donor cells from three rams and one ewe, one of which was a 200-kilogramme-heavy (440 lbs) Oula sheep.
Chief scientist and head of the cloning program Su Jianmin said: “Two cloned sheep have been born in Qinghai. The first-born weighed 3.4 kilogrammes [7.5 lbs] and is healthy.”
Jianmin added that the cloning research made in the country can help the breed sustain its adaptivity to the plateau environment after birth.
A researcher at the centre, Zhang Chengtu, said that a programme will help promote the good varieties of Tibetan sheep and increase the income of local farmers and herdsmen.
Ma Yuehui, from the Institute of Animal Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said that the successful outcome was a major breakthrough in Tibetan sheep breeding technology.
Ex-Iceland President Clones Pet 9mnths After Pooch Dies
Yuehue emphasised that the result is of great significance for the improvement of the quality and efficiency of the Tibetan sheep industry.
The industry has become the main source of income for herders in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, who often face challenges in breeding sufficient livestock.
According to reports, the initial rate of pregnancy among the 43 recipients following the transfer of cloned embryos was 58.1 per cent, which decreased to 37.2 per cent after four months.
To find out more about the author, editor or agency that supplied this story – please click below.
Story By: Georgina Jedikovska, Sub-Editor: Simona Kitanovska, Agency: Asia Wire Report
The Ananova page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.
