Research

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Title :

Exploration of bovine and caprine embryo secretory microRNA signatures to assess embryo quality

Area of research :

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Hanumanthu BalaDurga PrasadaRao, National Institute Of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad, Telangana

Timeline Start Year :

2024

Timeline End Year :

2027

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) in bovines has significantly impacted cow breeding practices and genetic development. The Department of Animal Husbandry has launched a programme for mass embryo transfers in indigenous breeds, with twenty Embryo Transfer Technology Centers being established across the country. However, the efficiency of ETT is less than 10%, and the quality of the produced embryos determines success rates. Embryo quality is evaluated using morphological factors such as size, shape, development rates, and fragmentation percentage of developing embryos. Despite being non-invasive, these procedures are not considered optimal due to reported abnormalities and reduced ETT efficiency. Researchers have discovered that microribonucleic acid (MicroRNAs) expression profiles are variably regulated in in vitro fertilized embryos, highlighting the potential for these nucleic acids as biomarkers in evaluating embryo quality. However, the secretory pattern of miRNAs in different quality embryos and under stress circumstances remains unknown. The proposed study aims to identify novel bovine and caprine embryo secretory microRNA signatures and their simple detection from the secretory media to check embryo quality. The findings will contribute to developing a unique non-invasive method for assessing embryo quality during IVF and understanding how miRNAs function throughout embryogenesis, potentially leading to the creation of diagnostics and therapeutics to enhance IVF.

Total Budget (INR):

42,87,510

Organizations involved