Research on use of matured oocytes taken from slaughter-house wins award

A completed research study titled “Buffalo and Bovine Embryo Development from In-vitro Matured Oocytes Derived from Slaughter House through Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Technique (ICSI)” won the best paper award in the recent R&D In-House Review of the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC).

The study tackled the ICSI technique in facilitating the genetic improvement of livestock. It was conducted to develop skills using the technique and to establish ICSI procedure for buffaloes.

The study was also meant to examine the development of buffalo embryos after ICSI and to establish efficient activation protocols.

Dr. Prudencio B. Pedro, scientist and researcher of the PCC’s Reproductive Biotechnology Unit, led the team that conducted the study. Other members of the team were Dr. Eufrocina P. Atabay, Dr. Edwin C. Atabay, Dr. Flocerfida P. Aquino, Dr. Lerma C. Ocampo, Dr. Excel Rio S. Maylem and Dr. Libertado C. Cruz.

Dr. Pedro presented the study in one of the sessions of the in-house review held last May 29-30 at the PCC National Headquarters and Genepool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija.

Dr. Pedro also romped-off with the best presenter award.

The holding of the in-house review was coordinated by the Research and Development (R&D) unit of PCC under Dr. Eric P. Palacpac.

“A total of 32 research studies, 18 of which are undergraduate student thesis while 14 are PCC led, were presented during the in-house review,” Dr. Palacpac said.

The student thesis was conducted under the guidance and supervision of particular researchers.

The study titled “Effectiveness of Computer Game in Improving Elementary School Pupil’s Intake of Fresh Buffalo Milk”, won the award for best undergraduate student research. The student who conducted the research was Ian Kim P. Gahoy as supervised by Rotacio S. Gravoso from the Visayas State University. Mr. Gahoy also presented the paper during the event.

Their study measured the effectiveness of a customized computer game in children’s intake of fresh buffalo milk. It was also designed to promote milk drinking to children for nutritional purposes.

The in-house review, Dr. Palacpac said was participated in by PCC scientists and researchers who have on-going or completed research studies. The students, on the other hand, were from the PCC regional centers’ host universities who conducted their undergraduate thesis.

Information generated from the completed researches are expected to be used or applied in continuing efforts for carabao development in the country.