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CCMB scientists spawn spotted fawn(The Times of India Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)HYDERABAD: Scientists here used artificial insemination, a technique commonly applied to domesticated animals but never in conservation of wildlife, to produce a spotted deer fawn, which they have named 'Spotty'. Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) are exulting over India's first artificial insemination (AI) success story in the wildlife arena, and say this could lead to a breakthrough in conservation of endangered species. 'Spotty' was born on March 14 at the Nehru Zoological Park. The birth of the fawn was disclosed to the media by CCMB director Dr Lalji Singh on Tuesday. With this unique feat, India joins the US and Australia in a select club of countries that have achieved birth of a live fawn using the non-invasive procedure. Artificial insemination is routinely used to breed cattle. CCMB scientists G Umapathy, S D Sontakke and Anuradha Reddy recalibrated the technique and applied it to spotted deer. Using hormones, they synchronised the estrus (menstrual cycle) of three spotted deer, which were then intra-vaginally inseminated with semen from a buck using an AI device for cattle. 'Spotty' was born after an anxious eight-month wait. This effort was part of a long-term project of the Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES), which is coming up in Attapur in Rangareddy district. The Rs 14 crore scientific facility will be ready by June. Though 'Spotty' may not create ripples like 'Dolly' did a few years ago, it is likely to serve as a shot in the arm for conservation efforts. "This could become a model for future attempts to increase the numbers of endangered species like the white-backed vulture, and the Asiatic lion,"Dr Singh said. Andhra Pradesh chief conservator of forests K S Rao said: "It's a big success for CCMB and a small step in the conservation of endangered species."Apart from CCMB, Nehru Zoological Park, the Central Zoo Authority and the Union and state departments of biotechnology took part in the project. |