Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Domestic Animals

Question 1

Define Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs)

Answer 1

to describe treatments and procedures which involve the manipulation of reproductive cycles, gametes or embryos.

Question 2

Rate of genetic improvement depends on….

Answer 2

Selection intensity
Accuracy
Amount of genetic variation
Generation interval

Question 3

How many calves does an average cow have per lifetime

Answer 3

5 calves

Question 4

What are the advantages of embryo transfers in cows?

Answer 4

Control sex of calf.

Multiply genetically superior females.

Twinning in cattle.

Reduce risk of disease transmission.

Question 5

Who is responsible for In vitro fertilization?

Answer 5

Ian Gordon

Question 6

Benefits of IVF in cows?

Answer 6

Low-cost embryos
Sexed embryos
Ovum Pick-Up (OPU)
Flexibility in sire use

Question 7

What is MOET?

Answer 7

Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer

Question 8

What is the purpose of Transvaginal Ovum Pick Up (OPU)?

Answer 8

To collect oocytes from high genetic merit females for embryo production.

Question 9

How often can OPU be performed without hormonal stimulation?

Answer 9

Once per week.

Question 10

Can OPU be done during early pregnancy?

Answer 10

Yes

Question 11

At what age can heifers undergo OPU?

Answer 11

As young as 2 months (called JIVET).

Question 12

What is the goal of Laparoscopic OPU/JIVET?

Answer 12

To produce offspring from elite females too young or unsuitable for transvaginal OPU.

Question 13

What does the phrase “calves from calves” refer to?

Answer 13

Producing offspring from very young heifers using JIVET.

Question 14

When was sexed semen technology first reported and validated?

Answer 14

First reported in 1983 (Garner)

validated in 1989 in rabbits (Johnson).

Question 15

Why is sexed semen used in dairy and beef cattle?

Answer 15

Produces more replacement heifers for herd expansion

Avoids low-value dairy bull calves

Males grow more efficiently for beef