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The possible use of superovulation and embryo transfer in cattle to increase response to selection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. B. Land  and
W. G. Hill
R. B. Land
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
W. G. Hill
Affiliation:
Institute of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh EH9 3JN
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Summary

The possible use of superovulation and embryo transfer in selection programmes in cattle is investigated theoretically, in terms of both rates of response and inbreeding.

In a selection programme for growth rate, it should be possible to achieve about twice the response of a conventional performance testing programme, so that 400-day weight, for example, could be increased by 16 rather than 9 kg per year.

The improvement of reproductive performance by the use of laparoscopy to measure the natural ovulation rate of animals over several oestrous cycles followed by superovulation of selected animals is investigated. The rate of progress is dependent upon the incidence of twin ovulations in the base population and is unlikely to exceed 0·6% per year unless the initial frequency is 8% or more.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 21 , Issue 1 , August 1975 , pp. 1 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1975

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References

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