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"India's First Horse Foal Born Through Cryopreserved Embryo - Raj-Sheetal's Historic Birth in Bikaner"

 India’s First Horse Foal Born Through Cryopreserved Embryo: The Birth of Raj-Sheetal

India’s first livestock census was conducted in 1919-1920, with the 21st livestock census currently underway in 2024, awaiting results. According to the 20th livestock census held in 2019, the total population of horses and ponies in India was approximately 340,000, showing a 45.2% decrease compared to the previous census. This census highlighted a sharp decline in the horse population, which the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) is working diligently to address.

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The NRCE, headquartered in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is dedicated to preserving the population and breeds of indigenous horses, ponies, mules, and donkeys in India. Recently, NRCE Bikaner achieved a major milestone by successfully producing the country’s first foal born from a cryopreserved embryo. This foal has been named Raj-Sheetal, marking a significant step in the preservation of India’s native horse breeds and presenting new possibilities for livestock advancements.

Addressing the Decline of the Horse Population in India

The horse population in India has been declining rapidly. Between the 19th and 20th livestock censuses, from 2012 to 2019, the horse population fell by 52.71%. As per the 20th livestock census in 2019, the total number of horses and ponies in India was recorded at 340,000, which is 45.2% lower than the 19th census figures. This decline has put India’s indigenous horse breeds at risk of extinction.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) - NRCE is working to preserve native horse and donkey breeds through techniques such as artificial insemination, cryopreservation, and embryo transfer.

The Journey of Raj-Sheetal’s Birth

Raj-Sheetal, a Marwari foal, was born through cryopreservation and embryo transfer techniques at ICAR-NRCE. In this process, scientists first fertilized an embryo using semen collected from Marwari and Zanskari horses. On day 7.5, the embryo was flushed, vitrified in a customized cryodevice, and stored in liquid nitrogen.

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Two months later, the embryo was thawed and transferred into a synchronized surrogate mare, who gave birth to Raj-Sheetal, a foal weighing 20 kilograms, after a full gestation period.

Key Points

  1. Marwari Horse
    The Marwari horse, also known as Malani, is a prominent breed from Rajasthan’s Marwar region. Known as India’s most beautiful horse breed, it has a rich legacy tied to Maharana Pratap’s legendary horse, Chetak. The breed is renowned across India for its bravery, loyalty, and endurance, and it shares a historical connection with Rajput rulers who selectively bred it for cavalry needs.

  2. Origin of the Marwari Horse
    Originating in the dry and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan, the Marwari horse's primary breeding center is the Malani region in Barmer district. It is found in villages like Nagar, Gudha, Jasol, Sindhari, Bakhasar, Posana, Bardgaon, and Daspan, as well as parts of the Sanchore tehsil in Jalore district and certain regions in northern Gujarat. The breed was developed through selective breeding by Rajput rulers to meet their cavalry needs, influenced by Central Asian Turkoman horses and potentially by horses from Alexander’s army. The Marwari breed takes its name from the Marwar region of Rajasthan.

A New Beginning for India’s Indigenous Horse Breeds

The birth of Raj-Sheetal, a foal born through cryopreservation and embryo transfer, represents a significant achievement in the conservation of India’s horse breeds. This technology will pave the way for preserving native horse breeds in India in the future.

"India’s first horse foal, Raj-Sheetal, is born from a cryopreserved embryo in Bikaner, marking a major breakthrough in equine conservation."

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How to identify a Marwari horse?
The Marwari horse, also known as Malani, is a prominent breed from the Marwar region of Rajasthan. This breed is famous across India for its bravery, loyalty, and endurance. One of the most striking features of these horses is their inwardly curved ears, which can rotate up to 180 degrees.
Which is the best horse in Rajasthan?
The Marwari horse is considered the most beautiful breed in India. The horse of Maharana Pratap, named Chetak, belonged to the Marwari breed and is celebrated for its bravery.
What is special about Marwari horses?
Marwari horses are known for their unique physical traits, such as their curved ears and adaptability. They are well-suited to the harsh climate of Rajasthan and possess an excellent sense of smell and hearing.
Which is the best horse in India?
The Marwari breed is considered the best horse in India. It is renowned for its bravery and loyalty and was bred by Rajput rulers for their cavalry.
What is the name of the most beautiful horse in India?
The Marwari horse is known as the most beautiful horse in India, recognized for its unique physical features and bravery.
What is the height of a Marwari horse?
The average height of Marwari horses is 154 centimeters for females and 156 centimeters for males.
Why is the birth of Raj-Sheetal significant?
The birth of Raj-Sheetal marks a historic milestone in the conservation of Indian horse breeds. It is the country’s first foal born through cryopreserved embryo technology. This birth not only opens new possibilities for indigenous horse breeds in India but also represents a major advancement in the field of agricultural research and development. Through this, new techniques can be employed to prevent population decline and ensure the conservation of horse breeds.
What technology was used for the birth of Raj-Sheetal foal?
Raj-Sheetal was born using cryopreservation and embryo transfer technology. In this process, scientists collected semen from Marwari and Zanskari horses, fertilized it to develop an embryo, which was then vitrified and stored in liquid nitrogen. Later, the embryo was transferred to a surrogate mare, which gave birth to Raj-Sheetal.
What is the role of cryopreservation in horse conservation?
Cryopreservation is a revolutionary technique in horse conservation that helps maintain the biodiversity of indigenous breeds. This technology allows long-term storage of horse semen and embryos, creating new possibilities for breed regeneration and conservation in the future. Through this, scientists play a significant role in adaptation, breeding, and conservation efforts, which help prevent the declining horse population.
What is the horse population in India?
According to the 2019 livestock census, the total population of horses and ponies in India is 340,000, showing a 45.2% decline compared to previous figures. This decline, observed during the 19th and 20th livestock censuses, highlights that indigenous horse breeds are rapidly nearing extinction. To address this situation, the National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE) is making continuous efforts.