Impact of Advances in Reproductive Technologies on the Dairy Industry
Published:June 25, 2013
By:Dr. William W. Thatcher (Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, USA)
Fertility is a critical component of efficient dairy production. Failure to attain and maintain a timely pregnancy is a major reason for production losses in dairy herds. A repertoire of technological tools of the 21st Century is available and used rountinely by the dairy industry to improve reproductive efficiency. Extraordinary increases in milk production since 1975 have brought significan challenges to successfully establishing a timely pregnancy. Coordinated implementations of new technology in physiology, nutrition and genetics are reversing the decline in fertility.
Systems of reproductive management are now based on a thorough understanding of the endocrine, cellular, and molecular factors controlling ovarian and uterine function. As a consequence, optimal timed-AI (TAI) programs are tailored specifically to the unique physiological characteristics of lactating dairy cows (i.e., anovulation, metabolic status) and dairy heifers to improve fertility in an economically attractive manner. The TAI programs have evolved into fertility-enhancement- programs when high compliance rates are achieved. Technologies have advanced our understanding of molecules that can enhance maintenance of pregnancy in cattle. The use of embryo transfer technologies and their cost components in a breeding program for lactating dairy cows are only attractive economically when the differential in fertility relative to AI is large such as during seasonal periods of heat stress. Calvingrelated- disorders and diseases that affect the reproductive tract, as well as the variability among cows to successfully coordinate homeorhetic responses of a new lactation, are major contributors to depressions of subsequent fertility. Nutraceutical strategies involving the increased intake of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in rumen-inert forms can alter immunological, metabolic-hormonal, and fertility responses of lactating dairy cows in a manner that is complementary to strategic breeding programs to improve herd fertility and, therefore, animal well being.
Development of microarrays of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) across the bovine genome has led to Genomic Predicted Transmitting Abilities (GPTA) for various production traits including daughter pregnancy rate. Furthermore, current technological advances are identifying candidate “fertility” genes for potential genetic selection. Genomic selection for production, health and reproductive traits will continue to be the wave of the future as genomic and bioinformatic tools are expanded and refined.
This is a summary of Dr. William Thatcher´s presentation at the 1st International Congress of Embryonic Technologies, April 12-13, 2013, Corrientes, Argentina.
Comsats Institute of Information Technology, Sahiwal
27 de junio de 2013
The overview on role and effectiveness of reproductive technologies and modern dairy genomics are undoubtedly going to be the future frontiers for commercial dairying at the global level. However, I would like to bring up the most striking contrast in the productive and reproductive status of Bos taurus and Bos indicus/Bubalis bubalus. Asian dairy animals despite having unique adaptability and disease resistance traits under heat and nutritional stress are struggling badly with both production and reproduction parameters and so the commercial dairying in this part of the world, whereas the genetic superiority of milk production and growth has been attained to a level which is now serious compromising fertility and immune system of these animals. While addressing the issues of Bos taurus regarding fertility and disease resistance through modern genomics and neutraceuticals, there is an equal need to utilize these technologies on highly meritorious dairy and meat livestock in this part of the world. For this purpose, however this can't be accomplished in the absence of mutual stakes. I believe there needs to be wide consultations between the dairy scientists and farmers globally where we can find some common grounds to achieve genetic improvement in dairy and meat production while ensuring not only the global food security but also to address issues of biodiversity conservation in livestock. Because both issues i.e. biodiversity conservation and food security are fundamental to economic survival of both the east and west. It is just like if both neighbors are well off they do not pose threat to each and vice versa. Therefore in order to preserve and enhance global security and prosperity there has never been the better time to work together to bring about food prosperity in the world by joining hands together the North and th
Hi there! I am a student in Essex and I am completing a research project on dairy farming, particularly investigating the impacts of reproductive technology on increasing milk yield, in comparison to nutritional and environmental factors. I was wondering if you would be kind enough to complete a questionnaire I have generated to gather primary research:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/63C36VL
Thank you! Ella.
First i would like to thank your contribution in the field of animal reproduction. but i have one question. That is
What is the advantage of embryo transfer over that of AI in cattle breeding system?
Congratulations to the author for showing new horizons in the field of fertility. As a dairy farmer I believe that milk remains important source of cash flow only at the farm while fertility of the can increase or decrease actual return on investment.
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