Impact of genetic manipulation.
Genetic progress for production in dairy cattle is 50% or less of optimum. Manipulation of the reproductive process to increase genetic gains was reviewed. Economics of manipulating the reproductive process was evaluated by equating future discounted net income to current discounted expenses and solving for the break-even cost of the technique for 1 to n years the technique is employed. Techniques such as embryo transfer and sexed semen can be evaluated for economics. A system of splitting female embryos to produce performance-tested female genotypes was presented. The system has the capability of increasing genetic gains per year by 35%. The proposed system could be profitable if it is incorporated in the artificial insemination system and directed by professional geneticists.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000378:metabolism; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012098:Reproduction