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Cattle embryo technology and selection : facts and economics |
Cahiers Agricultures. Volume 2, Number 2, 93-102, Mars-Avril 1993, Synthèse
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 Résumé
Article gratuit
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Author(s) : Jean-Jacques Colleau |
Summary : Focusing on three embryo techniques (conventional embryo transfer, embryo sexing and embryo cloning), a survey of their respective potential in terms of a single-trait selection strategy (milk yield) is carried out. The rates of improvement of annual genetic gains could lie within the range of 20-30 %. The reasons for this success are given in detail from a population geneticist’s viewpoint. The discussion is extended to less simplified situations (e.g. selection of more than one - and possibly weakly heritable-trait, maintaining genetic variability, implementations for beef cattle) and to other techniques, such as in vitro fertilization and detection of individuel genes. It is concluded that although prospects are very attractive for animal breeding, attention should nevertheless be paid to offsetting costs by creating profitable breeding schemes according to very basic farm principles level. From this viewpoint, earlier technology should be primarily directed towards improving the genetic value of bulls used for artificial insemination. If cheap performance-tested clones become available in the future, farmers could use this technology and improve their income. |
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