Breeding technologies: Shaping UK herds

Successful reproduction is the bedrock of any profitable cattle enterprise, whether it’s a dairy unit striving for high milk yields or a beef suckler herd aiming for strong, fast-growing calves.

In the UK, farmers have long relied on a combination of natural service and artificial insemination (AI) to maintain and improve their herds. 

However, a new era of advanced reproductive technologies is increasingly offering producers powerful tools to accelerate genetic progress, enhance efficiency, and add significant value to their operations. 

While traditional methods remain prevalent, the drive for continuous improvement in traits like milk production, growth rate, feed efficiency, and disease resistance is leading many UK farmers to explore more sophisticated options. This is where multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), and embryo transfer (ET) come into their own.

MOET

At its core, MOET involves collecting embryos from a genetically superior female (the donor) and transferring them into the reproductive tract of a recipient female who will carry the pregnancy to term.

This immediately allows a valuable cow to produce far more offspring in her lifetime than she could through natural calving. Instead of one calf per year (or slightly more with good fertility management), a donor cow can produce multiple embryos following a single ‘flush’. 

The process typically begins with hormonal treatment of the donor cow to induce superovulation, meaning she releases multiple eggs during a single oestrus cycle instead of just one or two.

Following insemination (usually with semen from a high-merit bull), these embryos are allowed to develop for about a week in the donor’s uterus before being non-surgically flushed out.

These collected embryos are then assessed, graded, and either transferred fresh into synchronised recipient cows or frozen for later use or sale.

The added value of conventional MOET is clear: accelerated genetic gain by getting multiple progeny from elite cows and bulls in a shorter timeframe; increased offspring from valuable animals multiplying their impact on the herd’s future and flexibility because frozen embryos allow for transfers when recipient animals are available or for the sale of valuable genetics.

Embryo transfer can also be a valuable tool in managing certain diseases within a herd, as embryos can be collected from infected but genetically valuable animals and transferred into disease-free recipients, producing healthy calves.

IVF

In vitro fertilisation takes the process a step further by collecting oocytes (eggs) directly from the donor cow’s ovaries, often via a technique called ovum pick-up (OPU). These oocytes are then matured and fertilised with semen in a laboratory setting (‘in vitro’ means ‘in glass’). The resulting embryos are cultured for several days before being transferred to recipient cows or frozen.

IVF offers distinct advantages, particularly in situations where conventional MOET may not be feasible:

Accessing genetics from young or pregnant animals: Oocytes can be collected from heifers before they reach puberty or even from pregnant cows without harming the developing calf, further shortening the generation interval.

Efficiency with expensive or sexed semen: IVF requires less semen per oocyte than AI or MOET, making it a more cost-effective option.

Greater flexibility in donor management: Donors can be OPU’d more frequently than they can be flushed for MOET, allowing for a more continuous supply of embryos.

Utilising problem breeders: IVF can be used to obtain embryos from valuable cows that may have difficulty conceiving or carrying a pregnancy naturally, or those that don’t respond well to superovulation for MOET.

ET and IVF

Whether the embryos are produced via MOET or IVF, the final step for creating a pregnancy is embryo transfer (ET). The success of ET relies heavily on having a healthy, well-synchronised recipient cow or heifer whose reproductive cycle is at the same stage as the collected embryo. 

The added value of incorporating these technologies into a UK cattle farming business is multifaceted. Beyond the accelerated genetic progress and increased offspring from elite animals, these techniques can contribute to improved herd health through selecting for disease resistance traits; increased sale of high-value genetics through selling surplus embryos or progeny at a premium; more efficient use of resources by focusing breeding efforts on the most genetically valuable animals and greater control over breeding programmes.

Implementing advanced reproductive technologies does require investment in terms of cost, time, and management expertise.

Success rates can vary depending on factors such as donor and recipient health, the skill of the practitioners, and the specific technology used.

However, for many UK cattle farmers looking to stay competitive and drive their herds forward genetically, the added value that MOET, IVF, and ET can bring makes them increasingly attractive options.

Working closely with a veterinary practice or breeding service provider experienced in these techniques is key to unlocking their full potential.

For more information visit the Paragon Vets website.

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