Guided by the University of Milan, the five-year project led to the birth of 4 calves using advanced assisted reproduction techniques to preserve the genetic resources of the Varzese breed at risk of extinction.
Four Varzese-Ottonese-Tortonese (VOT) breed calves result from advanced assisted reproduction technologies and represent a tangible outcome of the R-INNOVA project, the second phase of the INNOVA initiative, funded by Regione Lombardia. This project, led by the University of Milan and coordinated by Alberto Maria Luciano of the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, promotes the conservation of genetic resources for VOT cattle. These are the only indigenous cattle originally from Lombardy, with fewer than 900 animals across the national territory, and are therefore recognized by the FAO as being at risk of extinction.
The project, developed in its first phase during the three-year period from 2019 to 2022 with funding from the 2014-2020 rural development program of the Lombardy Region, primarily resulted in the cryopreservation of 120 fragments of ovarian cortex, 35 oocytes, and 142 embryos to establish a cryobank of female genetic resources. Using an innovative approach, the reproductive potential of 27 VOT cows was safeguarded by intervening in breeding by ovum pick-up (in vivo) or genetic rescue (ex vivo). This was made possible through the collaboration of the University of Milan with the Avantea Srl center, VOT breeders, and the ANABoRaRe breed association, along with the involvement of IBBA-CNR as a partner.
The second phase of the project, called R-INNOVA, which terminated at the end of 2024, aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the transfer of the embryos produced in vitro and cryopreserved in recipients of other widespread cattle breeds. In January 2025, the four VOT-breed calves were born, with the transfer of 6 embryos in six recipients Holstein Friesian made available by Avantea Srl. These cows have had the role of surrogate mothers to demonstrate the possibility of restoring individuals of the original breed from the cryobank of VOT embryos. “The success of this project – comments Dr. Giovanna Lazzari of Avantea Srl – confirms the important role of reproductive biotechnologies in safeguarding Italian cattle breeds”.
From the synergy of the project’s different souls, fundamental considerations have also emerged regarding the conscious conservation of livestock genetic resources and the essential role of the consumer. By making an informed choice of products of ‘biodiversity’ origin, consumers can support the breeders’ commitment to being ‘custodians’ of living heritage. “INNOVA and R-INNOVA projects have laid the foundations for an intervention model for zootechnical species – explains Professor Alberto Maria Luciano – adopting methods until now used for the conservation of other wild animal species at risk of extinction, such as the white rhinoceros of the North of BioRescue, offering the opportunity to expand the VOT population present on the national territory and ‘to resurrect’ the breed if it should be extinguished. The cryobank is configured as a long-term and 360° conservation tool of the genetic heritage of this as also of other breeds and species, to be extended as a paradigm to counter the rapid loss of genetic diversity and face the challenges posed by the climatic and environmental crisis that we are going through”.
