Trans Ova Advanced Technologies

We cannot clone from frozen sperm.  Sperm is haploid, it contains one set of chromosomes.  When it unites with the oocyte or egg, which is also haploid, it forms a diploid (2 sets of chromosomes) organism.  A diploid cell is needed in order to clone.  

To place an order for a Genetic Preservation, Express Tissue Bank, or a cloning agreement, call 800.999.3586 or emailing Diane Broek or Brenna Jasper. You can also order through your Trans Ova Genetics customer service representative or visit our Genetic Preservation Kit order page.

In January 2008, the FDA released their Final Risk Assessment that stated that the products from cloned animals and their offspring are safe, that there is no difference in food produced from cloned animals and their offspring, thus there is no reason to require labeling on all products. The offspring of cloned animals are conventionally bred and are not cloned animals themselves.

As with all advanced reproductive technologies, cloning is part of a carefully planned and implemented genetic advancement program, uniquely defined to achieve individual client goals. For clients that have animals at the elite genetics level and marketing caliber for cloning, Trans Ova has dedicated their trained, professional team specialists to ensure the best possible care through the entire process.

For over 40 years, Trans Ova Genetics has partnered with livestock breeders to advance reproductive technologies. Through Trans Ova Genetics Advanced Technologies, we offer cloning services for cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and deer, as well as Genetic Preservation for exotic species. With 20+ years of cloning expertise and thousands of successful clones, our experience is unmatched in the industry.

Yes, an animal produced through cloning technology carries a nuclear genome (DNA) that is an exact genetic match to the donor. The nuclear genotype, used for breed registry DNA genotyping, will be identical to the genetic donor that provided the tissue sample for Genetic Preservation or cell line creation. If the breed utilizes genomic evaluations, the cloned animal’s genomics will also match the donor.

The word “cloning” is simply a term to describe Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT). Once cells are produced from the tissue sample provided by a genetic donor, they are combined with an enucleated oocyte (unfertile egg with the nucleus removed) and fused together using a process called electrofusion. The resulting embryos are cultured and transferred into recipient mothers within one week, with variation per species. “Dolly the Sheep” was the first mammal to be produced using SCNT cloning technology more than 20 years ago.

A cloned animal is a genetic twin to an existing animal, just born at a later place in time.

To preserve an elite animal’s genetics, a tissue sample is collected from the ear or tail and cultured into a cell linethrough Genetic Preservation (GP). These cells are cryopreserved for future use in the cloning process.

For a more economical option, the Express Tissue Bank (ETB) allows producers to store a large number of samples or keep genetic material on hand without an immediate cloning commitment. In this program, the tissue sample is frozen intact and can later be cultured into a GP cell line if cloning is desired.

Cloning allows progressive producers to replicate their most valuable animals, advancing their goals for healthier, more efficient livestock and higher-quality food products. By preserving superior genetics, cloning helps create a more consistent supply of desirable traits, such as tender, flavorful beef.

Cloning also provides a solution for animals lost early in their breeding careers due to injury or death—ensuring their genetic potential isn’t lost. Additionally, it extends the influence of elite animals by increasing embryo or semen production. For clients with exceptional castrated males (steers, geldings, barrows, wethers), cloning offers the unique opportunity to produce an intact male for breeding.

Not all animals have the same income potential. Whether your business is dairy cattle, beef cattle, bucking bulls, longhorns or exotic cattle, we help you identify, preserve and reproduce the genetics of your top-producing cattle. We can help you create multiple genetic ‘twins’ to your top-producing dam, thereby greatly increasing the number of embryos and offspring.

You also have the opportunity to simultaneously mate her genetic ‘twins’ to multiple sires, which can help you quickly identify the ‘magical mating’ that produces the next generation of exceptional genetics. Additional copies of a top-producing sire ensure that you’ll have enough semen supplies to meet demand and will expand your opportunities to offer natural service sires.

Some goats and sheep far outperform their peers. Trans Ova’s cloning services enable you to multiply the impact of these exceptional animals with superior performance and phenotype. By producing genetic ‘twins’, we can help you speed the production of the next generation of superior genetics, improving performance throughout the herd.

Whether you breed pigs for show or for food production, the ability to multiply the impact of exceptional animals on the breeding herd through conventional reproduction is limited. Trans Ova helps you more effectively leverage your most valuable pigs by creating genetic twins to enhance breeding efforts and improve performance throughout the herd.