After years of work, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are celebrating the successful birth of four wood bison calves, a record-breaking achievement.
The calves were born through in-vitro fertilization, a first for bison. Adding to the excitement, one of the four was born of a frozen embryo originally harvested in 2012.
“The babies look great,” said Dr. Gregg Adams, a professor and reproductive specialist at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM), in a release. “They’re keeping up with mom, and I’m really happy about it.”
World’s first IVF bison calves – Western College of Veterinary Medicine from WCVMToday on Vimeo.
“It is tremendously gratifying to see this. I’m excited. I’m hoping all the different interest groups will see this as a real possibility, a solution to the problem.”
Adams hopes this research will help conserve the species and preserve genetic diversity.
The research was done with the help of PhD students, a post-doctoral fellow and researchers from the University of Calgary.