Benefits of MOET and JIVET in Optimised Sheep Breeding Programs

Abstract

The additional genetic gain from implementing multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) and juvenile in vitro embryo production and embryo transfer (JIVET) additional to using artificial insemination (AI) and natural mating (N) in sheep breeding programs was assessed. This study was a stochastic simulation and selection based on optimum contributions for varying levels of inbreeding restriction. The genetic gain achieved after 20 years for an AI/N program was 4.89 and 5.16 units of genetic SD (h²=0.3) when inbreeding was restricted to 1% and 2% per generation, respectively. The additional gain from MOET was 23% and 28% and the additional gain from the addition of JIVET to MOET and AI/N increased genetic gain 60% and 56% for these two levels of inbreeding when compared to AI/N. With the addition of each technology, generation interval decreased, as did the number of breeding ewes.