Cattle produces one calf every two years. With conventional breeding , it would take several decades to breed livestock with improved genetic traits. This long period can be shortened through biotechnology, specifically, the multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) technique. This makes the production of animals with superior traits easier and to multiply these animals more rapidly.
Multiple ovulation, also known as superovulation is the production of a large number of ova by a dam of superior genetic traits. Through this technique, more embryos are generated, therefore, more calves are produced form one superior cow. Embryo transfer is the removal of the fertilized eggs and embryos from the donor cow then transferred to the uterus of dams undergoing the estrus cycle for gestation. Gestation is the process of carrying the embryo in the womb for growth and development. The MOET technique is used to conserve superior breeding stock or to improve the rate of genetic gain of selected herds. This process is effective for livestock with low prolificacy such as cattle. Continue reading “Breeding superior cattle the fast way”