PROJECT ON LIFE CYCLE OF DROSOPHILA

MELANOGASTER

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Dr. Soma M Ghorai Deependu P S
Dept. of Zoology 536
HINDU COLLEGE Bsc. Hons Zoology
UNIVERSITY OF DELHI HINDU COLLEGE
Purpose of visit:
On 1st February 2023, a visit was organized to gain practical insights into dairy
management and production, with a special focus on Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART) involved in dairy animal husbandry. The aim of the visit was
to explore the latest technologies and techniques involved in dairy farming and
understand the best practices for managing a successful dairy business. The
visit also provided an opportunity for participants to interact with industry
experts and gain insights into the latest trends and developments in the field of
dairy farming. Overall, the visit was an informative and valuable experience for
all participants and helped to deepen their understanding of the various
aspects of dairy management and production.

About NDRI:
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is a premier research institution in
India located in Karnal, Haryana. It was established in 1923 and was originally
named the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It was later
renamed as the National Dairy Research Institute in 1955.
NDRI is also a leading research institution in the field of animal genetics and
breeding, livestock production and management, and animal nutrition. It has
state-of-the-art research facilities, including laboratories, animal houses, and
pilot plants, to carry out cutting-edge research in these fields.
The institute has collaborations with several national and international
organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote research
and development in dairy science and technology.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AT NDRI:

NDRI's R&D program is focused on several areas, including animal genetics and
breeding, livestock production and management, animal nutrition, and dairy
processing and technology. The institute has a team of highly qualified and
experienced scientists who carry out research in these areas using state-of-the-
art facilities and equipment.
The research activities at NDRI are funded by several national and international
agencies, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), the
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the World Bank. NDRI also
collaborates with several leading research institutions and universities around
the world to promote knowledge-sharing and research collaborations.
Some of the notable research achievements of NDRI include the development
of high-yielding cattle breeds, the use of assisted reproductive technologies
(ART) for improving animal genetics, the development of cost-effective animal
feed supplements, and the development of novel dairy products with health
benefits.
Overall, NDRI's R&D program is focused on developing innovative and
sustainable solutions to the challenges faced by the dairy industry and
contributing to the growth and development of the sector in India.

HISTORY OF NDRI:
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) is a premier research institution in
India located in Karnal, Haryana. The institute has a rich history dating back to
the early 20th century.
In 1923, the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying was
established in Bangalore, which was then the capital of the Mysore state in
British India. The institute was established with the aim of improving the
quality of dairy farming and animal husbandry practices in the country.
In 1936, the institute was shifted to a new location in Bangalore, and in 1947, it
was renamed the National Dairy Research Institute. In 1955, the institute was
relocated to Karnal in Haryana, which is its current location.
Over the years, NDRI has played a significant role in the growth and
development of the dairy industry in India. The institute has been instrumental
in developing new breeds of cattle that are more productive and disease-
resistant, as well as in developing new technologies and techniques for
improving the quality of milk and dairy products.
NDRI has also been involved in training and capacity-building programs for
dairy farmers and industry professionals. The institute offers undergraduate,
postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various fields of dairy science and
technology.

Mandate of NDRI was:

The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal has been established
with a clear mandate to conduct research and development activities aimed at
promoting the growth and development of the dairy industry in India.
The main objectives of NDRI's mandate include:
 1. To conduct research and development activities aimed at improving the
productivity and quality of milk and milk products in India.
2. To develop and disseminate innovative technologies and practices for
dairy farming, animal nutrition, animal health, and milk processing.
3. To conduct training and capacity-building programs for dairy farmers,
industry professionals, and students in the field of dairy science and
technology.
4. To provide technical assistance and advisory services to the dairy
industry in India.
5. To collaborate with national and international institutions and
organizations to promote knowledge-sharing and research
collaborations in the field of dairy science and technology.

DIFFERENT BREEDS OF COW/BUFFALOES PRESENT IN NDRI:

1. Murrah Buffalo:
Murrah buffaloes have a shiny black coat and are known for their high milk
production, as well as their ability to adapt to different environmental
conditions. The average milk yield of a Murrah buffalo is around 2200-2500
liters per lactation period of 310 days, making it one of the highest yielding
buffalo breeds in the world.
The breed is named after the village of Murrah in Haryana, where it was first
developed. The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, Haryana,
has played a key role in the genetic improvement of the Murrah breed through
selective breeding and assisted reproductive technologies.
NDRI has developed several high-yielding strains of Murrah buffalo, which are
well-suited to the Indian climate and conditions. The institute has also
developed new technologies and techniques for improving the reproductive
efficiency of the breed, including embryo transfer and artificial insemination.

2. Kankaran bull:
Kankrej cattle are tall and sturdy, with a broad forehead and long ears. They
have a hump on their shoulders and a dewlap under their chin. The breed is
typically gray or silver in color, with a white blaze on the forehead and white
markings on the tail and feet.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the Kankrej breed of
cattle due to its hardiness and adaptability to different climatic conditions. The
National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal has also been involved in the
genetic improvement of the Kankrej breed through selective breeding and
assisted reproductive technologies. This has led to the development of a high-
yielding strain of Kankrej cattle that is well-suited to the Indian climate and
conditions.

3. Tharparkar cow:
The Tharparkar cow is a breed of cattle that is native to the Thar Desert region
of Rajasthan, India. It is a hardy and adaptive breed that is well-suited to the
harsh and arid climate of the region. The Tharparkar cow is known for its high
milk yield and is considered to be an important breed for the dairy industry in
India.
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal has played a significant
role in the genetic improvement and conservation of the Tharparkar breed.
NDRI has conducted extensive research on the breed's genetic makeup,
reproductive performance, and milk production characteristics. This research
has led to the development of a high-yielding strain of Tharparkar cattle that is
well-suited to the Indian climate and conditions.
4. Haryana cow:
The Haryana breed of cows is a hardy and resilient breed that is well-suited to
the harsh climatic conditions of the state of Haryana in India. The breed is
known for its high milk yield, good quality of milk, and disease resistance.
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal has played an important
role in the development and genetic improvement of the Haryana breed of
cows. NDRI has conducted extensive research on the breed, with a focus on
improving its milk yield, quality, and disease resistance.

5. Sahiwal cow:
The Sahiwal cow is a breed of cattle that is native to the Punjab region of India.
The breed is known for its hardiness, disease resistance, and high milk yield.
Sahiwal cows have a distinctive reddish-brown coat and are well-adapted to
the hot and humid climate of the Indian subcontinent.
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) has conducted research on the
nutritional requirements of Sahiwal cattle and has developed feeding
strategies to improve their milk yield and quality. The institute has also
conducted research on the health and disease management of Sahiwal cattle,
including the development of vaccines against common diseases.

6. Red Sindhi cow:

The Red Sindhi breed of cattle is a popular breed in India that is known for its
hardiness, disease resistance, and ability to produce high-quality milk. The
breed is named after the Sindh region of Pakistan, where it originated.
Red Sindhi cows are typically red or brown in color, with white markings on
their face and feet. They are medium-sized, with a sleek and muscular body.
Red Sindhi cows are highly valued for their milk, which is high in fat and
protein and is used to produce a variety of dairy products such as butter, ghee,
and cheese.
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) has developed a high-yielding
strain of Red Sindhi cows that is well-suited to the Indian climate and
conditions. This has helped to increase the productivity and profitability of
dairy farming in India, as well as to improve the livelihoods of dairy farmers
and industry professionals.
NDRI DEVELOPED TWO BREEDS OF CATTLE:
1. KARAN SWISS: Karan Swiss is a crossbred dairy
cattle breed developed by the National Dairy
Research Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, India. The breed
is a cross between Brown Swiss bull and Sahiwal
breeds of cattle
Karan Swiss cattle are highly valued for their milk
production, which is significantly higher than that
of purebred Sahiwal cattle. The breed is also well-
suited to the Indian climate and conditions, as it has
a high tolerance for heat and humidity.

2. KARAN FRIS: Karan Fries is a crossbred dairy cattle

breed developed by the National Dairy Research
Institute (NDRI) in Karnal, India. The breed is a cross
between Holstein Friesian and Tharparkar breeds
of cattle, with a genetic composition of 62.5%
Holstein Friesian and 37.5% Tharparkar.Karan Fries
cattle are highly valued for their milk production,
which is significantly higher than that of purebred
Tharparkar cattle. The breed is also well-suited to
the Indian climate and conditions, as it has a high
tolerance for heat and humidity.

ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNIQUES(ARTs) FOR CATTLE BREEDING USED IN

NDRI:
The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) in India is a premier institute for
research and development in dairy production and related technologies. As
part of their research efforts, NDRI has developed several assisted
reproductive techniques (ARTs) for cattle breeding. Here are some of the ARTs
used by NDRI for cattle breeding:
1. Artificial Insemination (AI): This
is the most common ART used for
cattle breeding. In this technique,
semen from a selected bull is
collected and then artificially
introduced into the reproductive
tract of a cow at the right time to
achieve fertilization. NDRI has
developed several high-quality
semen straws from different
breeds of bulls for AI.

Benefits:
• Genetic improvement: AI allows breeders to access high-quality semen
from superior bulls that are located in different parts of the world. This
provides an opportunity to improve the genetic potential of the herd
and produce offspring with desirable traits such as higher milk
production, better disease resistance, and improved growth rates.
• Disease prevention: AI helps to prevent the spread of sexually
transmitted diseases, such as brucellosis, which can be transmitted
through natural breeding. This helps to reduce the incidence of disease
in the herd and protects the health of the cows.
• Improved reproductive efficiency: AI enables breeders to time
insemination accurately, increasing the chances of conception and
reducing the number of non-productive days. This can lead to higher
fertility rates, increased calving rates, and a shorter calving interval.
• Increased production: AI can be used to synchronize estrus cycles in a
herd, which can lead to more consistent breeding and calving intervals.
This can help to increase milk production, as cows that calve regularly
produce more milk than those that do not.
• Cost-effective: AI is a cost-effective alternative to natural breeding, as it
reduces the need for maintaining a bull and the associated costs of
feeding, housing, and veterinary care.
2. In vitro Fertilization (IVF): In this technique, eggs are collected from the
cow's ovaries and fertilized with semen in a laboratory setting. The resulting
embryos are then transferred back into the cow's uterus for further
development. NDRI has developed a robust protocol for IVF, resulting in high
success rates for embryo production.

Benefits:
• Increased Efficiency: IVF allows for the production of multiple embryos
from a single cow, increasing the efficiency of breeding programs. This is
particularly useful for elite cows or heifers that have desirable genetic
traits that breeders want to propagate.
• Reduced Generation Interval: IVF can reduce the generation interval by
producing calves from young cows or heifers that have not yet reached
sexual maturity. This can help breeders to accelerate genetic progress in
their herds.
• Access to Elite Genetics: IVF allows breeders to access genetics from
animals that are not able to breed naturally due to age, illness, or death.
This can help to preserve valuable genetic traits that might otherwise be
lost.
• Increased Genetic Diversity: IVF allows breeders to access genetics from
animals in other countries, increasing genetic diversity and reducing
inbreeding.
• Improved Reproductive Health: IVF can be used to breed animals that
have fertility issues, such as low sperm count or poor egg quality. This
can help to improve the overall reproductive health of the herd.
3. Embryo Transfer (ET): This technique involves collecting embryos from
superior cows or heifers and transferring them into surrogate cows or
heifers for further development. NDRI has a well-equipped ET laboratory
that has been producing and transferring high-quality embryos from elite
cows and heifers.

Benefits:
• Increased genetic progress: ET allows breeders to produce offspring
from genetically superior cows or heifers without having to wait for
them to calve. This speeds up the rate of genetic progress and allows
breeders to produce more offspring from their top animals.
• Multiple offspring from one female: By collecting and transferring
multiple embryos from one female, breeders can produce multiple
offspring from a single superior cow or heifer. This allows for the
multiplication of superior genetics and increases the number of high-
quality animals available for breeding.
• Improved fertility: ET can improve fertility in females that have
reproductive problems, such as poor estrus expression or low
conception rates. By using a surrogate to carry the embryo, the female's
reproductive system is bypassed, and the chance of pregnancy is
increased.
• Reduced disease transmission: ET can help to reduce the risk of disease
transmission from one animal to another. By using a surrogate to carry
the embryo, breeders can avoid the transmission of diseases that may
be present in the genetic donor animal.
 • International trade: ET can facilitate international trade of genetics. By
shipping embryos instead of live animals, breeders can transport
superior genetics across international borders more easily and without
the risk of disease transmission.

4. Oocyte Pick-up (OPU): This technique involves collecting eggs from a cow's
ovaries using a special needle under anesthesia. The collected eggs can then
be used for IVF or other related procedures. NDRI has developed an
efficient OPU protocol that has been used successfully in various research
and breeding programs.

Benefits:
• Increased genetic progress: OPU allows breeders to collect oocytes from
genetically superior cows or heifers and use them for IVF or other
related procedures. This can help to accelerate the genetic progress of
the breeding program by producing more offspring from top-performing
animals.
• Reduced generation intervals: By collecting immature oocytes from
young heifers, OPU allows breeders to breed them at an earlier age,
thereby reducing the generation interval and increasing the rate of
genetic progress.
• Increased number of offspring: OPU allows breeders to collect multiple
oocytes from a single animal in one cycle, thereby increasing the number
of offspring produced per animal.
• Reduced risk of disease transmission: OPU is a minimally invasive
procedure that reduces the risk of disease transmission between
 animals, unlike traditional breeding methods that require direct contact
between animals.
• Preservation of genetics: OPU allows breeders to preserve the genetics
of valuable animals, even after they are no longer able to produce
offspring naturally, by freezing the collected oocytes for future use.

5. Sexed Semen Technology: This is a recent ART that allows the separation of
X and Y chromosome-bearing sperms, resulting in the production of gender-
specific semen. NDRI has developed a reliable and efficient protocol for
sexed semen production, resulting in the birth of desired male or female
calves.

Benefits:
• Increased accuracy in breeding: With sexed semen technology, breeders
can choose the sex of the offspring they want, which allows for more
precise and accurate breeding programs. This results in the production
of more superior and desirable traits in the offspring.
• More efficient use of resources: By producing gender-specific semen,
breeders can plan their breeding programs better and avoid wasting
resources on animals that are not useful for their breeding objectives.
This leads to better utilization of resources such as feed, labor, and
space.
• Improved animal welfare: By producing fewer male calves, sexed semen
technology can help reduce the number of unwanted male calves that
are typically culled or sold for meat. This reduces the stress on animals
and can help improve animal welfare.
• Increased profitability: Sexed semen technology can increase
profitability for cattle breeders by allowing them to produce more
desirable offspring and increase the overall productivity of their herd.
This can lead to increased revenue and profits for breeders.
• Reduced environmental impact: By producing fewer male calves, sexed
semen technology can help reduce the environmental impact of cattle
breeding, such as the carbon footprint associated with raising and
disposing of unwanted male calves.
Acknowledgment:
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Hindu College Zoology
Department for providing me with the opportunity to visit the National Dairy
Research Institute (NDRI). The trip was an enriching experience that allowed
me to learn about the various aspects of dairy research and development.
I would also like to thank the NDRI staff for their hospitality and for sharing
their knowledge with us. The trip has deepened my understanding of the dairy
industry and its contribution to the Indian economy.
Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Hindu College Zoology
Department for organizing this informative and insightful trip to NDRI.