Four wood bison calves were born at the University of Saskatchewan Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s Native Hoofstock Center in July. Three of the calves were born using in vitro fertilization. The fourth calf was produced from a frozen embryo that was taken from a bison cow in 2012 and transferred to a surrogate mother in 2015. Both are reproductive firsts for the bison species, according to the university.
Source: Veterinary Practice News, July 27, 2016.
While there are many parallels with reproductive work in cattle, bison present their own unique challenges, according to the university. Foremost is the presence of disease in both the plains and wood bison herds. Bison herds are infected with brucellosis and tuberculosis, diseases that were introduced by exposure to infected cattle more than 80 years ago, and that can be spread to both cattle and people.
By using advanced reproduction techniques such as artificial insemination, superovulation and in vitro fertilization, researchers can disinfect the egg and sperm of the female and male bison. This minimizes the chances of producing diseased calves or spreading disease, according to the university.