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Text: Little Fish
Editor|Little Fish
——【· Preface ·】——》
"A mule is pregnant and will die?" This sentence sounds shocking, however, there is a deeper biological mystery behind why mules are unable to have children.
Mules, as hybrid offspring of horses and donkeys, have the excellent characteristics of both, but they are destined to not continue their bloodline.
Is this natural selection, or is it a genetic curse? What is it about their anatomy and reproductive system that prevents the mule from completing the miracle of gestation?
The Birth of the Mule: A Miracle of Nature
In the animal world, cross-species unions are not uncommon. However, the birth of the mule is a special example. It is the product of the union of two closely related species, the horse and the donkey, which inherit the excellent genes of both sides, but lose the ability to reproduce due to the incompatibility of genes.
The birth of the mule dates back to ancient times. At that time, horses and donkeys living in the wild met by chance, giving rise to the first mules. This miracle of nature quickly caught the attention of humans.
It was discovered that mules not only possessed the grace and intelligence of horses, but also inherited the endurance and strength of donkeys. This unique combination makes the mule an extremely valuable domestic animal. Over time, humans began to consciously nurture mules.
This human intervention accelerated the evolution and popularity of the mule. By the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, mules were introduced to China and soon took root in this vast land. The Chinese soon discovered the unique value of mules and began to breed and use mules on a large scale.
The genetic code of the mule: the fertility dilemma
However, the uniqueness of the mule is not only reflected in its appearance and abilities, but also in its genetic makeup. Scientific studies have shown that horses have 32 pairs of chromosomes, while donkeys have 31 pairs. When they are combined, the resulting mule has 63 chromosomes, and this odd number of chromosomes causes the mule to be unable to produce normal germ cells.
This genetic "defect" directly leads to the fact that mules are almost unable to reproduce. It is this characteristic that casts a veil of mystery over the mule, and also gives rise to the saying that "the mule must die if it is pregnant". Actually, this statement is not entirely accurate.
Although the probability of a mule getting pregnant is extremely low, it is not completely impossible. There have indeed been rare cases of successful births of mules in history. In 1924, there was a case in South Africa where a female mule and a male horse successfully bred offspring.
This case caused a huge sensation at the time and provided valuable research information for the scientific community. However, such cases are so rare that the saying that "a mule must die if it is pregnant" is still widely circulated among the people.
The Golden Age of the Mule: From Farming to the Battlefield
Despite their inability to reproduce, mules have played an extremely important role in human history. Their unique advantages make them an indispensable force in agricultural production and military transportation.
In agricultural production, mules show amazing endurance and strength. They are able to pull heavy farm tools with ease, working tirelessly for long hours in rugged fields. Compared to horses, mules are more hard-working and less expensive to raise. These characteristics make mules the labor of choice for many farmers.
In the military sphere, mules also play an important role. They are able to travel through difficult terrain and are far more capable of carrying heavy loads than ordinary horses. During the war years, mules were often used to transport military supplies and sometimes even directly participate in combat.
Their presence has greatly increased the mobility and constant combat capability of the army. By the Ming Dynasty, there were even more mules in China than horses. This data fully illustrates the importance of mules in society at that time.
Whether it is toiling in the fields or charging bravely on the battlefield, mules have contributed greatly to the development of human civilization in their unique ways.
The modern dilemma of the mule: the impact of mechanization
With the advent of the Industrial Revolution and the development of modern agriculture, the status of the mule began to be challenged. The advent of various agricultural machinery has greatly increased production efficiency, and many of the tasks that once relied on mules can now be done by machines.
This change led to the fact that the number of mules began to decrease dramatically. In many areas, mules have disappeared almost completely. People began to question whether mules were still necessary in this era of high mechanization.
However, it turned out that the value of mules has not completely disappeared. In some special environments, mules still play an irreplaceable role. For example, in steep mountainous areas or narrow alleys, where large machinery is difficult to access, mules are still the ideal means of transportation.
Their stamina, flexibility and adaptability give them an edge in these special environments. In addition, mules are still widely used in some military operations.
They are able to move silently through difficult terrain, which is difficult to do with mechanized equipment. Therefore, even in modern society, mules still retain their unique value in some areas.
The Future of Mules: A New Chapter in Genetic Technology
Although mules are difficult to reproduce in natural conditions, the development of science and technology has opened up new possibilities for the future of mules. On May 4, 2003, a major breakthrough occurred – the world's first cloned mule, the Idaho Gem, was born.
This achievement was made United States by Professor Gordon · Woods and his team at the University of Idaho. After 305 attempts, they finally succeeded in implanting the mule's genes into a mare's egg, and eventually gave birth to this cloned mule. This is not only the first cloned mule, but also the first cloned equine and hybrid.
This breakthrough opened up new avenues for mules to reproduce. While natural reproduction is still difficult, through cloning, humans can replicate those particularly good mule individuals, thus maintaining and expanding mule populations.
This technology is not only important for mules, but also offers new hope for the conservation of other endangered equines. In addition, Chinese scientists have also made important progress in this field. In 2012, a horse company in Shandong helped a mule give birth to a foal, the first time in thousands of years that a mule has been bred in China.
In the same year, a female mule gave birth to a sturdy foal in a farmer's home in Weichang Mongolia Autonomous County, Hebei Province, attracting locals to come and watch these success stories, which are rare but bring new hope for the future of mules.
They proved that, despite all the difficulties, the reproduction of mules was not entirely impossible. As genetic technology continues to advance, we may be able to find better ways to protect and reproduce this unique species in the future.
——[· Conclusion ·] ——"
The mule, a special life formed by the cross between a horse and a donkey, has left a deep mark on the long history of mankind. With their unique genetic combinations, they provide irreplaceable services to humans.
From the ancient agricultural battlefield to the special environment of modern times, mules have always won the respect and love of human beings with their indomitable spirit and outstanding ability. Despite the dilemma of reproduction and the impact of mechanization, the mule is opening a new chapter through the power of technology.
In the future, we look forward to seeing more scientific breakthroughs about mules and hope that this unique species can continue to play its unique role in human society.
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Information sources:
[1] How can an infertile mule give birth again? · Science and Technology Daily
[2] Today in history: May 4, 2003, the world's first cloned mule was born · Xinhuanet