World's first month-old cloned yak named 'Namtso No. 1' in Xizang

(ECNS) -- Authorities in Damxung County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, announced Monday that the world's first cloned yak to survive a full month has been named "Namtso No. 1."

In 2023, a research institute in Xizang partnered with experts from Zhejiang University to address the drawbacks of traditional breeding, including long cycles and low efficiency, by launching a program that combines somatic cell nuclear transfer with whole-genome selection.

After more than 700 days of research, the world's first cloned yak was successfully born on July 10 this year in Damxung County.

Professor Fang Shengguo from Zhejiang University said that because Xizang yaks are adapted to high altitude, they have unique cell metabolism, making successful cloning dependent on optimized oocyte maturation, activation and embryo culture. He added that the core challenge of yak cloning lies in innovating a cultivation system that maintains cell vitality and genomic stability, which differs significantly from cloning ordinary cattle in terms of environmental adaptation requirements.

The cloned yak currently shows normal physiological indicators and is monitored daily and weighed weekly by dedicated staff, with its health reported as good.

The team plans to further improve cloning efficiency, increase blastocyst rates, and study embryo implantation mechanisms.

(By Gong Weiwei)