From Concept to Field: Discussing ONGO's Impact on Animal Breeding with the Founder
Recent developments by ONGO Vettech have streamlined and improved semen quality assessments in breeding animals. The company's new product, the Ongo Vision, is a portable device that brings Computer Aided Semen Analysis (CASA) technology from laboratories to breeding farms. This facilitates quick and accurate assessments of sperm quality, including sperm count and motility. Tamás Bábel, managing director of ONGO Vettech, reports that the product is attracting interest from multiple countries.
This interview was conducted by Lajos Braunmuller, a professional agricultural journalist.
What inspired you, originally a physician, to develop a device for animal breeding?
Initially, our goal was to create an intelligent slide for observing sperm movement, not the device we ultimately developed. The concept arose from understanding the mating process, which involves the convergence of male and female reproductive tracts—microfluidic channels where fluid dynamics are unique. The essential challenge is ensuring sperm can effectively reach and fertilize the egg. Our vision was to replicate natural conditions on the slide to accurately observe sperm behavior, determining if they can perform their crucial task. This method is important because it moves beyond traditional testing methods, which can be likened to guessing a race winner based on warm-up performance—often unreliable as not all sperm are viable or consistently oriented towards the goal. The stakes are high in animal breeding, where the use of poor-quality sperm can lead to significant financial losses and wasted time.
Why did ONGO choose animal health over human healthcare for its initial market entry?
The regulatory environment in animal breeding, while stringent, is more permissive than in human healthcare and diagnostics. This influenced our decision to first develop technologies suited for animal breeding. However, expanding into human healthcare remains a strategic objective for us, acknowledging that it will require considerable effort and adaptation.
As a physician, how do you view the agricultural sector, which is somewhat distant from your original profession?
I quickly grew to appreciate the world of animal breeding and the people working within it. The agricultural sector is receptive to new technologies as well. As in medicine, it's often challenging to break through entrenched practices. But if a practical solution that simplifies daily work, provides benefits, or offers a competitive edge can gain acceptance much more quickly. ONGO embodies these advantages.
How did the initial concept of a specialized slide evolve into the ONGO device?
When we first conceptualized the intelligent slide, feedback from breeders quickly followed. Essentially, they indicated that our assistance could be more impactful in other areas, expressing a strong preference for portable Computer Aided Semen Analysis (CASA) technology to aid their work. The significance of this technology in animal breeding is profound. Unlike in human medicine, where patients can visit a hospital, portable technology is invaluable on farms, in stables, zoos, or even in remote locations like the savannah. Our goal then shifted to bringing CASA technology out of the lab and into the field in a user-friendly, compact form.
How does this innovation contribute beyond the current global practices in agriculture, where convenience isn't always a primary concern?
Firstly, this development provides breeders with crucial semen quality answers within minute. Importantly, it eliminates the need to transport sperm samples, which often deteriorate during transit. It's common for sperm to lose quality on their way back from the lab, or for samples rated as high-quality not to result in pregnancy. Another advantage is that traditional lab techniques require significant expertise and travel across regions, whereas the ONGO system is designed for ease of use. Anyone can quickly learn to operate it and conduct reliable assessments without specialized training. In cases of staff turnover or sickness, a new operator can be swiftly trained. Moreover, the ONGO system uses software for analysis, offering more precise evaluations than the human eye can provide. It also saves videos of the samples, which can serve as evidence of a breeding animal's value. In a few years, buyers might require such videos, much like they currently demand health certifications or pedigrees. This capability will likely be embraced by the livestock trade, as recorded videos can more effectively demonstrate that an animal with desirable traits can indeed pass those traits onto its offspring. These videos will essentially act as certificates in future animal breeding.
What potential market exists for such a solution?
The potential customers for our device include animal breeders and related companies worldwide. We value the Hungarian market due to its rich tradition in animal breeding and our local connections. Our product is already in use in many countries globally. Currently, the ONGO is suitable for evaluating semen quality in cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs. The device is also expected to play a significant role in the conservation of endangered species, attracting interest from zoos and wildlife reserves around the world.
What are your expectations for the coming years regarding this solution?
We are currently in discussions with several universities, seeking collaboration with agricultural and veterinary institutions. I believe all the conditions are in place for the ONGO to become a widely known and used tool in animal breeding within the next five years, offering undeniable benefits for breeding, insemination, and animal health diagnostics. Our ambitious goal is to turn "ONGO" into a verb in the industry, envisioning a future where phrases like “go and ONGO the sample” become common in breeding practices.
Ongo Vision: Precision semen analysis in the palm of your hand. Learn more →