Phylogenetic relationships of Malayan gaur with other species of the genus Bos based on cytochrome b gene DNA sequences

The Malayan gaur (Bos gaurus hubbacki) is one of the three subspecies of gaurs that can be found in Malaysia. We examined the phylogenetic relationships of this subspecies with other species of the genus Bos (B. javanicus, B. indicus, B. taurus, and B. grunniens). The sequence of a key gene, cytochrome b, was compared among 20 Bos species and the bongo antelope, used as an outgroup. Phylogenetic reconstruction was employed using neighbor joining and maximum parsimony in PAUP and Bayesian inference in MrBayes 3.1. All tree topologies indicated that the Malayan gaur is in its own monophyletic clade, distinct from other species of the genus Bos. We also found significant branching differences in the tree topologies between wild and domestic cattle

Japan's embryo transfer technology and its feasibility in hastening livestock improvement in Southeast Asia

In Japan, progress has been achieved in the development of embryo transfer (ET) technology in the last few years. Research on the other related technologies such as cryopreservation, in  vitro fertilization, embryo manipulation and sexing are actively being carried out. However, its practical application is still limiteed. It is now being used for rapid proliferation of desirable dairy and beef cattle. About 100 organizations are involved in ET practice and research. The number of ET trained technicians has also increased. However, ET is still a relatively expensive technique which great effort and financial risk

Japan's embryo transfer technology and its feasibility in hastening livestock improvement in Southeast Asia

In Japan, progress has been achieved in the development of embryo transfer (ET) technology in the last few years. Research on the other related technologies such as cryopreservation, in  vitro fertilization, embryo manipulation and sexing are actively being carried out. However, its practical application is still limiteed. It is now being used for rapid proliferation of desirable dairy and beef cattle. About 100 organizations are involved in ET practice and research. The number of ET trained technicians has also increased. However, ET is still a relatively expensive technique which great effort and financial risk

Cryotop and development of vitrified immature bovine oocytes

The effectiveness of different cryodevices (open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EMG), and Cryotop was evaluated for vitrification of immature bovine oocytes. Polar body, metaphase II stage (MII), survivability, and subsequent developmental rates were determined. Only oocytes with four or five layers of cumulus cells were used. Oocytes were equilibrated in two vitrification solutions - 1: 10% DMSO + 10% ethylene glycol (EG) for 30-45sec and 2: 20% DMSO + 20% EG +0.5M sucrose for 25sec -, mounted on one of the cryodevices and directly plunged into liquid nitrogen for 10 days. Immature vitrified oocytes using Cryotop showed the highest rates of polar body extrusion (PB) and nuclear maturity (MII); 41 and 58% respectively. Vitrified oocytes using OPS and EMG showed 26 and 32%; and 35 and 46% of PB and MII rates, respectively. The highest survivability resulted from Cryotop and EMG groups and no significant difference was found between them. Vitrified oocytes using Cryotop had the highest cleavage and blastocyst rates. All of the mean rates for vitrified immature oocytes were significantly lower than that of control group (P<0.05). The results of this study showed the superiority of Cryotop device for vitrification of immature bovine oocyte