More offspring
from valuable lines.
In Vivo and In Vitro bovine embryo production, controlled-rate freezing, vitrification and transfer to prepared recipients.
KAZAKHSTAN · SCIENCE · LIVESTOCK
Genetics
that shapes
generations.
The world's finest genetic lines —
for your herd's next generation.
Qazembryo is a reproductive biotechnology centre based at Nazarbayev University. In Vivo and In Vitro embryos, genomic analysis and a cryobank come together in one livestock development programme.
One cell.
Possibilities for generations to come.ASTANA
51° N · 71° E
Possibilities for generations to come.ASTANA
51° N · 71° E
$400k
initial investment
up to 10 000
embryos per year · 2029 stage
up to 100 000
embryos per year · 2030+ target
Kazakhstan — a future
regional leader
in livestock genetics.
01 / PROJECT
Local science. Regional scale.Two stages.
One shared ambition.
The Astana laboratory and the Arkalyk genetics centre bring together global genetics, Kazakhstani science and practical farming expertise. The programme is operated by QazEmbryo, a private company in the AIFC.
Based at Nazarbayev UniversityWhere genetic
Full-cycle laboratory equipment ↗
Where genetic
progress begins.
Stage one is a full-cycle In Vivo and In Vitro laboratory: embryo production, oocyte maturation, fertilisation, culture, cryopreservation and transfer to recipients.
Nazarbayev University has provided premises that meet GMP standards, together with all the necessary utilities and technical infrastructure.
$400kinitial investment
up to 10kembryos per year by 2029
Arkalyk · second development stageFrom a laboratory —
From a laboratory —
to a genetics centre.
Stage two establishes a genetics centre with a donor herd, a laboratory, genomic evaluation and on-farm programmes. The model combines the centre's own facilities with a network of partner farms.
15–20 hasite area
600–800 m²laboratory
2mobile laboratories
37staff positions in the centre's programme
The centre's programme includes a separate quarantine area, an OPU facility, a veterinary unit and feed infrastructure. Mobile laboratories connect the centre with partner farms.
Scaling to 100,000 embryos per year depends on expanding the donor network and production capacity.
BREEDING PROGRAMME
The centre's genetic foundation.
A nucleus breeding herd and a network of farms support the development of donor lines and the production of valuable biological material.
- Donor cows
- 100
- Breeding bulls
- 40
- Breeding rams
- 50
DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP
From launch to regional scale.
- 2026
Preparation
Design, equipment procurement and professional development for the team.
- 2027
Equipping the laboratory
Completion of procurement, installation, configuration and laboratory commissioning.
- 2028
Pilot launch
Accreditation and production of up to 2,000 embryos.
- 2029
Market entry
First sales and scaling to 10,000 embryos per year.
- 2030+
International growth
Target capacity of up to 100,000 embryos per year and exports to 8+ countries.
02 / TECHNOLOGY
Precision in the laboratory. Results on the farm.The best of both
parents.
An embryo carries the genetics of a valuable cow and a selected bull. The recipient cow carries the calf to term.
In Vivo embryos develop inside the donor. In Vitro involves oocyte maturation, fertilisation and culture in the laboratory. Both technologies increase offspring from the best maternal lines and preserve their genetics for beef and dairy farming.
QAZEMBRYO / LIFE IN MOTION
DNA / PRESSMASTER
01 / DONOR SELECTION
3D DNA animation · Pressmaster / Pexels ↗It all starts with selection.
Pedigree and genomic evaluation help select lines for the farm's goals: milk, beef, reproduction and adaptation.
AREAS OF WORK
One system.
Four areas of work.
From selecting genetics to training specialists — a comprehensive programme for herd reproduction and breeding.
More offspring
Breeding
guided by DNA.
Genomic evaluation, genotyping and monitoring of inbreeding coefficients help select animals and plan matings around farm objectives.
Genetics
with verified parentage.
Cryopreservation of semen from breeding bulls, DNA profiling and frozen semen quality control to GOST 26030-2015.
Knowledge
put into practice.
Training in artificial insemination and embryo transfer: courses of up to 40 hours with an interactive electronic handbook.
03 / FOR YOUR FARM
Genetics for your farm's objectives.Different farms.
Your path to growth.
A genetic programme reflects the breed, husbandry conditions, breeding objectives and economics of each farm.
DAIRY FARMS / DAIRY BREEDINGThe next generation
The next generation
of your dairy herd.
Multiply valuable maternal lines faster to breed your own replacements. Select genetics for milk yield, fat and protein, udder health and productive longevity.
01
More offspring from your best cowsMultiply selected maternal lines through a herd of recipients.
02
Purposeful herd replacementSelection indices, pedigree and inbreeding management.
03
Measurable progress across generationsTrack milk yield, milk components, health and culling.
Genetics, balanced nutrition, veterinary care and herd management together shape the productivity of the next generation.
04 / POTENTIAL IN NUMBERS
Measure. Verify. Improve.From embryo
to confirmed
pregnancy.
Embryo transfer outcomes depend on embryo quality, recipient preparation and precise transfer technique. Pregnancy checks at defined diagnostic stages measure programme effectiveness.
FRESH IVP EMBRYOS56.1%
pregnancies on days 32–35
after ovulation
in the study by Crowe et al.
FROZEN IVP EMBRYOS41.6%
pregnancies on days 32–35
after ovulation
in the study by Crowe et al.
Study by Crowe et al.
The 2024 study covered 863 transfers in lactating dairy cows. Pregnancy was assessed on days 32–35 after ovulation.
View the source ↗CALCULATE YOUR SCENARIO
Outcome of 100 transfers
20500
25%65%
CALCULATED SCENARIO
pregnancies
in this scenario
in this scenario
100 transfers × 45% = 45 pregnancies
The calculation shows the number of pregnancies at the selected transfer success rate. The next programme indicators are live births and calf survival.PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Yield of transferable embryos
Pregnancy rates at diagnostic stages
Live births and calf survival
Genetic merit of offspring
05 / INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE
Technology already in use worldwide.The world has embraced
embryo technologies.
Leading markets combine laboratories, genomic evaluation and farm networks. Kazakhstan needs its own infrastructure to bring these opportunities closer to local farmers.
2.03million
bovine IVP embryos recorded
in the IETS global report for 2024
87.2%share of in vitro in total
bovine embryo production
bovine embryo production
+8.1%growth in IVP production
year on year
year on year
Industrial scale
2024 / IETSIn vivo and in vitro bovine embryo production.
The IETS report brings together data from 41 countries.
Total in the IETS report2 325 527
Source: IETS, 2024 data ↗Laboratory + farms
Donors and recipients are part of a single programme with the laboratory. This network makes it possible to scale production.
Genetics suited to your conditions
Pedigree, genomic indices and adaptation matter more than any single record-breaking trait.
Cryobank and traceability
Preserving lines, identifying every batch and managing logistics for farms.
06 / LABORATORY AND CRYOBANK
Quality begins with infrastructure.A complete cycle.
Care for
every cell.
The equipment programme combines embryology, genotyping and a cryobank. IMV Technologies and Minitube technologies support the laboratory cycle from biological material collection to storage and use on the farm.
Seven equipment categoriesThe specification centres on a controlled environment, precision optics, reliable cryostorage and traceability of every sample.
01 Oocyte collection and transfer +
A veterinary ultrasound system with an OPU probe and needle guide, an adjustable aspiration pump, needles, tubing and a tube heating block. In Vivo embryo recovery kits and transfer catheters.
Outcome: controlled procedures with donors and prepared recipients.02 Aseptic handling and optics +
A workstation with HEPA filtration and a heated surface, a stereomicroscope for oocyte recovery and embryo evaluation, a phase-contrast microscope (inverted where required for evaluation), micropipettes and heated stages.
Separate areas for sample reception, media preparation and embryology.03 IVF and culture +
Tri-gas incubators with CO₂/O₂ control, an independent backup incubation chamber, gas cylinders and regulators, a centrifuge, water bath, heating blocks, refrigerator and freezer.
Validated media, consumables and temperature records.04 Freezing and cryobank +
IMV Technologies semen processing line: a programmable Digitcool Alpha freezer and ISevo V2 Alpha Flex for automatic straw filling and sealing. For embryos: controlled-rate freezing and a vitrification kit. The cryobank includes Dewar vessels, separate storage for quarantined material, backup capacity and transport dry shippers.
Nitrogen monitoring, backup storage, batch records and sample location tracking.05 Quality control and safety +
Temperature, CO₂/O₂ and nitrogen level sensors, media pH and osmolality meters, independent alarms, cryostorage area ventilation, room oxygen sensors and protective equipment.
Emergency procedures and regular instrument calibration.06 Reliability and traceability +
UPS protection for critical equipment and backup power, a water purification system or validated ready-to-use media, sterilisation in line with the adopted protocol, a digital log/LIMS and data backups.
Identification of the donor, biological material, embryo and recipient at every stage.07 Genotyping and DNA profiling +
PCR laboratory: DNA extraction and reaction preparation areas, a thermal cycler, centrifuges, pipettes, refrigeration equipment and a sample tracking system.
Genomic analysis, parentage verification and inbreeding management in one breeding programme.07 / REGIONAL MISSION
Created in Kazakhstan.
For the future
of the whole region.
Our mission is to make Kazakhstan a regional leader in livestock genetics. Two Kazakhstani centres form the foundation for future programmes across Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
AstanaLaboratory and cryobank
················ArkalykGenetics centre
The regional programme combines genetic selection, veterinary support and logistics in line with each country's import requirements.
CENTRAL ASIA
Kazakhstan ↗
UzbekistanKyrgyzstanTajikistanTurkmenistan
SOUTH CAUCASUSAzerbaijanGeorgiaArmenia
Local production
Reducing dependence on imported live cattle and semen. Developing full-cycle laboratories and local production of culture media.
Specialist training
Training embryologists, geneticists and insemination technicians with NU and National Laboratory Astana.
Digital breeding
Developing a genomic database, a marketplace for livestock and embryos, IT solutions and TURAN AI agents.
08 / PROJECT PARTNERS
Science. Business. International cooperation.Building the future together.
Zhongnong Xing’an
Cattle Breeding Technology Co., Ltd. · Genetics centre · China
09 / PROJECT TEAM
People who
connect science
with practice.
Project management, veterinary medicine, embryology and laboratory infrastructure — expertise across the entire cycle.
Project director
Bolat Seisenov
Candidate of Veterinary Sciences. Genetics and biotechnology in livestock production.
Project manager
Zhylkybai Aiza Erikkyzy
International cooperation and engagement with project partners.
Laboratory technologist, embryologist
Kasymov Timur Kanapiyauly
Laboratory equipment and commissioning, equipment oversight and IT infrastructure.
Veterinary embryologist
Maigarin Sayan Beisenovich
Donor management, In Vivo embryo production and transfer to recipients.
Embryologist
Moldakimova Nazira Asylbekovna
Oocyte maturation, fertilisation and In Vitro embryo culture.
Embryology laboratory technician
Sairan Akbota Tashenkyzy
Preparation for embryo culture, controlled-rate freezing and vitrification.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Questions
that matter.
How does embryo transfer differ from artificial insemination?+
Artificial insemination changes the paternal genetics, while your cow remains the calf's genetic mother. Embryo transfer produces offspring from a selected pairing: a donor cow and a bull. The recipient carries the embryo.
How is a programme introduced on a farm?+
The programme begins with an assessment of health, reproduction, nutrition and farm conditions. A group of prepared recipients is selected for the first transfers, then the programme expands based on the results.
What determines programme results?+
High-quality embryos, prepared recipients and precise adherence to protocols determine transfer outcomes. The genetic merit of offspring is realised through balanced nutrition, veterinary support and herd management.
How are genetics selected for the cryobank?+
The cryobank development programme focuses on valuable global lines for beef and dairy farming. Selection criteria include pedigree, genomic evaluation, donor health and suitability for the needs of regional farms.
How can we start working together?+
Tell Ansara about your farm: region, production type, breed, herd size and objectives. This will help prepare a discussion with the project team about the programme, recipient requirements and next steps.
YOUR NEXT GENERATION
Let's start with
your farm's potential.
Tell us what you want your herd to look like in a few years.
Together, we will identify the first step.