World’s first IVF-born female calf ‘Lakhimi’:Assam Veterinary University welcomes baby cattle, marking major livestock milestone

Assam has achieved a major milestone in veterinary biotechnology with the birth of a female Lakhimi calf through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The calf was born at the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU) in Khanapara, Guwahati. The development was announced by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 22, 2026. It has been described as the world’s first IVF-born female calf of the indigenous Lakhimi cattle breed. The achievement is significant because it brings advanced reproductive technology into efforts to preserve and multiply one of Assam’s native cattle breeds. A milestone for Assam’s indigenous cattle Lakhimi cattle are native to Assam and form an important part of the state’s indigenous livestock resources. Like other native breeds, they have traits that can be valuable for local farmers and livestock development. Scientists can use technologies such as IVF to select animals with desirable characteristics and increase the chances of producing more calves with those traits. This can be particularly useful for indigenous breeds, whose populations and genetic diversity need to be carefully maintained. How does IVF work in cattle? In-vitro fertilisation, or IVF, is a reproductive technology in which an egg and sperm are brought together in a laboratory instead of fertilisation taking place naturally inside the animal. The process broadly involves these steps: 1. Selecting the animals
Scientists identify suitable female cattle and collect semen from a selected male with desirable traits. 2. Collecting eggs
Egg cells, also called oocytes, are collected from the female animal’s ovaries. 3. Fertilisation in the laboratory
The eggs are combined with sperm under controlled laboratory conditions. If fertilisation is successful, an embryo begins to develop. 4. Embryo development
The fertilised egg is kept under laboratory conditions for a few days while it develops into an early-stage embryo. 5. Embryo transfer
The embryo is then transferred into the uterus of a suitable surrogate cow. 6. Pregnancy and birth
If the embryo successfully implants and the pregnancy progresses normally, the surrogate cow carries the calf until birth. This means the calf is produced through laboratory-assisted fertilisation, while the surrogate animal provides the environment needed for the embryo to grow during pregnancy.
Why is IVF important for indigenous breeds? Traditional breeding can take considerable time and may not always allow scientists to quickly multiply animals with specific desirable traits. IVF and related reproductive technologies can help speed up this process by allowing scientists to produce multiple embryos from selected animals. For indigenous cattle, this could help researchers and breeders focus on traits such as disease resistance, adaptability to local conditions and milk production, while also supporting the preservation of valuable genetic characteristics. The technology could therefore become an important tool in preventing the gradual loss of native cattle breeds. What could this mean for farmers? The benefits could eventually extend beyond laboratories and research centres. If animals with desirable traits can be multiplied more efficiently, farmers could have greater access to improved indigenous cattle. Healthier and more productive animals could potentially lead to better milk yields and improved returns from dairy farming. The wider use of reproductive technologies could also help create a stronger breeding programme for Assam’s native cattle. Chief Minister calls it a biotechnology milestone Reacting to the achievement, Sarma congratulated the scientists and veterinary professionals involved in the project. The world’s first IVF female calf of the Lakhimi breed – native to Assam – has been born at the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University. He described the achievement as a ‘beautiful convergence of Sabhyata, Sanskriti Srijan’, referring to civilisation, culture and creation. Sarma also highlighted the larger significance of the birth, saying: She may be a tiny calf, but she carries a huge milestone for biotechnology in our State. More than the birth of one calf The birth of the Lakhimi calf is being viewed as more than an isolated scientific achievement. It demonstrates how modern reproductive technology can be combined with India’s efforts to protect indigenous livestock. For Assam, the development could provide a new approach to conserving native cattle while working towards better disease control, higher milk productivity and improved livelihoods for dairy farmers.