Marwari Horses Saved: 1st Ever Embryo Transfer Sparks Historic Comeback for Iconic Breed

In a landmark stride for wildlife preservation, scientists at ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (Bikaner) successfully delivered India’s first Marwari horse foal, Raj-Prathama, using embryo transfer technology on May 19, 2023. This innovation offers hope for the critically endangered breed, known for its cultural ties to Rajasthan’s heritage and distinctive curved ears, whose numbers are plummeting due to habitat loss and shifting traditions.

Funded by a ₹1 crore National Livestock Mission grant, the team transferred a 7-day-old embryo from a donor mare to a surrogate, achieving a healthy 23 kg filly. The project has also cryopreserved 10 embryos via vitrification, creating a “genetic bank” to safeguard diversity. Led by Dr. TR Talluri, the effort addresses challenges like low embryo recovery rates and reproductive synchronization, aiming to scale conservation for other vulnerable breeds like Kathiawari horses.

By blending cutting-edge science with cultural legacy, this breakthrough marks a pivotal step in reviving India’s equine heritage, urging collaborative action to ensure these majestic animals gallop into the future. 

Marwari Horses Saved: 1st Ever Embryo Transfer Sparks Historic Comeback for Iconic Breed

In a landmark achievement for wildlife conservation and veterinary science, India has welcomed its first Marwari horse foal born via embryo transfer technology—a pioneering effort to save the culturally significant but critically endangered breed. The historic birth took place at ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRCE) in Bikaner, Rajasthan, on May 19, 2023, marking a turning point in preserving India’s equine heritage.  

A Foal Named “Raj-Prathama”: Symbol of Hope 

The healthy female foal, named Raj-Prathama (literally “First Royal”), weighed 23 kg at birth, signaling a successful full-term pregnancy in a surrogate mare. The procedure involved transferring a seven-day-old embryo (blastocyst stage) from a donor Marwari mare to the surrogate, showcasing the potential of advanced reproductive technologies to revive dwindling populations.  

Why This Breakthrough Matters 

The Marwari horse, renowned for its curved ears, endurance, and historical ties to Rajasthan’s warrior clans, has seen its numbers plummet due to habitat loss, urbanization, and declining traditional equestrian practices. Recent data from the Livestock Census (2023) underscores an alarming decline, thrusting conservation into urgency.  

Embryo transfer offers a lifeline. Unlike natural breeding, which is slow and limited by mare fertility, this technology allows:  

• Genetic Diversity Preservation: Multiple embryos from high-value mares can be collected and implanted in surrogates.  

• Scalability: Scientists can produce more offspring annually from genetically superior pairs.  

• Cryopreservation: Embryos frozen today could revive the breed decades later, acting as a “genetic bank.” 

The Science Behind the Success 

Led by Dr. TR Talluri and a dedicated team at ICAR-NRCE, the project—funded by a ₹1 crore grant from the National Livestock Mission—has already cryopreserved 10 Marwari embryos using vitrification, a rapid-freezing technique that prevents ice crystal formation, ensuring embryo viability.  

Key steps in the process:  

• Embryo Collection: A fertilized embryo is extracted from the donor mare 7–8 days post-insemination.

• Transfer to Surrogate: The embryo is implanted into a recipient mare, which carries the foal to term.

• Monitoring: Strict health protocols ensure both surrogate and foal thrive.

Challenges and Future Goals 

Equine embryo transfer is notoriously complex due to horses’ unique reproductive biology. Previous attempts in India faced hurdles like low embryo recovery rates and synchronization challenges between donor and surrogate cycles. ICAR-NRCE’s success demonstrates growing expertise in this niche field.

The team now aims to:

• Expand the cryopreserved embryo bank.

• Refine techniques for higher success rates.

• Adapt the technology for other endangered Indian equine breeds, such as the Kathiawari and Manipuri ponies.

Cultural Legacy Meets Modern Science 

Marwari horses aren’t just animals; they’re woven into Rajasthan’s identity, celebrated in folklore, festivals, and royal history. Their decline threatens a living cultural artifact. By merging tradition with cutting-edge science, ICAR-NRCE’s work offers a blueprint for conserving heritage breeds worldwide.

A Call for Collaborative Action 

While technology provides tools, long-term survival requires grassroots efforts—promoting Marwari breeding among local communities, creating market demand through tourism and sports, and integrating conservation into policy.

As Raj-Prathama takes her first steps, she embodies more than a scientific triumph; she rekindles hope that with innovation and persistence, even the most vulnerable species can gallop back from the brink.