Breeding technologies

Question 1

Describe how ART could be used in animal breeding.

Answer 1

Farming, species preservation

Question 2

What problems does a small population pose.

Answer 2

The extinction vortex: A smaller population leads to increased inbreeding and the genetic disease this brings causing inbreeding population depression and further population reduction.

Question 3

How can ART help with extinction?

Answer 3

genetic biobanks can be used to introduce more genetic material to the gene pool and prevent the extinction vortex.

Question 4

Describe the methods for embryo ART in cattle.

Answer 4

In-vivo- super ovulated cows + bull sperm allows internal fertilisation then embryos flushed.
In-vitro- Oocytes obtained from abatoirs and fertilised via IVF then implanted into foster cow.

Question 5

Describe how sperm is collected and used in cattle ART.

Answer 5

Extracted from most desirable bulls and sex sorted with flow cytometry.
Artificual insemination:
a) Oestrus synchronisation- controls the point at which oocyte is ovulated e.g. PGF2 alpha, progesterone
b) Insemination- uterus, cervix or vagina via hand or long catheter.