TRANS OVA GENETICS

1

More Possibilities Sooner
Sioux Center, Iowa By Abby Sandbulte Junior
Animal Science/Pre-Vet
E M B R Y O T R A N S F E R S E R V I C E S
TRANS OVA GENETICS
E.T. SERVICES
Trans Ova Genetics has played a major role in the
development of the embryo transfer industry and
continues to develop new technology and services
for customers. Main Office in Sioux
Center, IA Satellite Office in Chillicothe,
MO
Satellite Office in Belgrade, MT

• On farm or In Clinic Embryo Transfer
• Embryo Freezing Conventional or Direct Transfer
• Select Recipient Pool
• Fetal Sexing
• Ultrasonagraphy
• Embryo Splitting and/or sexing
• Dominant Follicle Removal

DUTIES
COLLECTION OF EMBRYOS The internship provided me
the opportunity to assist with embryo transfer.
Non-surgical techniques are used to recover
embryos from each uterine horn.
EMBRYO SEARCHING The embryos are washed,
identified, and classified under dissecting
microscopes. Embryos to be transferred are
aspirated into artificial insemination tubes.
TRANSFER OF EMBRYOS Embryos can non-surgically be
transferred to a recipient cow by using a cassou
gun. This technique takes considerable practice
to achieve satisfactory pregnancy rates. Here
are results of a very successful flush and
successful embryo transfers.
OVERVIEW
Dr David Faber and Dr. Daryl Funk developed an
in clinic facility in response to the demand
for embryo transfer services. The in clinic
program expanded to the current facility in 1985.
Additional facilities to house IVF donors and
export donors have also been added, some in
cooperation with Dordt College.
Dr. Daryl Funk with a client
The home base has a capacity for 350 beef donors
and 2000 recipients. The Heat Watch system was
put into use to monitor heats on both donors and
client recipients.
IN-VITRO FERTILIZATION (IVF) I also assisted with
oocyte retrieval, a method in which a
non-surgical transvaginal probe and needle are
carefully guided to each follicle on an ovary
with help from an ultrasound monitoring device.
IVF is beneficial to problem cows or terminally
ill donors, and it can be used for embryo
splitting or embryo sexing.
BENEFITS

• Gained hands-on experience in working with
  cattle, embryo transfer techniques and
  applications
• Learned valuable information about the
  reproductive system, about precursors and
  guidelines to embryo transfer, and about genetic
  advancements
• Had opportunity to travel extensively to many
  different regions for on-farm visits
• Made valuable contacts with producers and leaders
  in the embryo transfer industry

NEW FACILITIES
The renovated barn contains a donor and
recipient area (with hydraulic chutes), an inner
and outer lab, office and storage space, and a
sterilization room.
CONTACTS
The Genetic Advancement Center was designed
specifically for and devoted to the production of
transgenic and cloned livestock. Special
laboratory areas are devoted to IVF production,
micromanipulation, cloning, and gene injection.
For more information contact
Additional Facilities Dr. Daryl Funk,
DVM 12425 Liv 224 Trans Ova Genetics Chillicot
he, MO 64601 2938 380th Street 1-800-372-3586
Sioux Center, IA 51250 1-800-999-3586 9033
Walker Road darylf_at_transova.com Belgrade, MT
59714 1-888-722-3586