Performance of Sex Sorted Semen under Indian Small Holder Dairy Farming Systems

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the performance of sex sorted semen that was produced for the first time in India at BAIF semen production facility, Pune, using the technological processes of sexing technologies, USA, under tropical small holder dairy production systems. Additionally, a notable point is that the semen was produced from the population of Indian breeds of cattle, its crosses and buffaloes which co-evolved and adopted to the country' agro climatic conditions. 21,012 artificial insemination data and 2,284 calving records were included in the analysis. The parameters evaluated were conception rate and sex ratio. The statistical analysis was performed using the logistic regression method to estimate the effect of factors on conception rate. The effects studied were states, order of lactation, month of insemination, and breed of bull. The overall mean conception rate was 39.92 ± 0.5 per cent, while the sex ratio of female to male was found to be 90.9 %. All of the effects included in the study significantly influenced the conception rate. Odisha state reported higher conception rate while low conception rate was found in Uttarakhand state. Conception rate increased gradually from November to April and declined later. Heifers showed higher conception rate than cows with subsequent lactations, however the difference among the other lactations was very less. The Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls with 75 per cent exotic blood level showed better conception rate than the rest of the breeds. Present study highlights the technical performance and merits of using sex sorted semen in the Indian dairy sector as a way to increase the country' milk production and reduce the burden of maintaining male calves at farm level.

Evaluation of sexed semen‐based artificial insemination in Tharparkar cattle under organized farm condition

“…The sex ratio of females to males in sexed semen‐based AI program is 91.7 in the present study. Our present observation is on a similar line with the published farm and field reports (Joshi et al, 2021; Norman et al, 2010; Sharma et al, 2019). Yet, the present finding on the sex ratio is on the higher side (82.1–86.2) than of those reported in the previous studies (Patel & Jethva, 2019; Sharma et al, 2018).…”

“…A large number of studies attempted to optimize the sex ratio of female to male calves using sexed semen in principle to widen the application of sexed semen for better milk production and income generation to the farmers. To date, the sex ratio of female to male calf using sexed semen varies between 81 to 92 (Seidel Jr Our present observation is on a similar line with the published farm and field reports (Joshi et al, 2021;Norman et al, 2010;Sharma et al, 2019). Yet, the present finding on the sex ratio is on the higher side (82.1-86.2) than of those reported in the previous studies (Patel & Jethva, 2019;Sharma et al, 2018).…”

“…A similar tendency of lower CR with sex‐sorted (21%–39%) and sexed semen (10%–30%) was well documented in previous reports (Abdalla, 2014; DeJarnette et al, 2011; Healy et al, 2013; Norman et al, 2010; Rhinehart et al, 2011; Weigel, 2004). A field study conducted in 940 AI centres of Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF, Pune) covering 147 districts under seven states of India showed an overall CR of 39.92 percent using sex‐sorted semen (Joshi et al, 2021). Furthermore, the overall CR obtained in the present study was more or less similar to the past studies (Cerchiaro et al, 2007; Dejarnette et al, 2011; Djedović et al, 2016; Sharma et al, 2018, 2019), except a few (Abdalla, 2014; Healy et al, 2013; Joshi et al, 2021; Norman et al, 2010; Patel & Jethva, 2019) in which the CR obtained following the use of sexed semen was lower (25%–39.9%).…”

“…A field study conducted in 940 AI centres of Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation (BAIF, Pune) covering 147 districts under seven states of India showed an overall CR of 39.92 percent using sex‐sorted semen (Joshi et al, 2021). Furthermore, the overall CR obtained in the present study was more or less similar to the past studies (Cerchiaro et al, 2007; Dejarnette et al, 2011; Djedović et al, 2016; Sharma et al, 2018, 2019), except a few (Abdalla, 2014; Healy et al, 2013; Joshi et al, 2021; Norman et al, 2010; Patel & Jethva, 2019) in which the CR obtained following the use of sexed semen was lower (25%–39.9%). Unlike previous studies, better CR obtained after the use of sexed semen in our study might be attributed to the younger animals used, frequency and timing of AI, skill of AI personnel, service number, etc.…”

“…Besides, the skill of AI technicians, particularly in reference to proper oestrus detection and performing correct insemination procedures also plays a very crucial role in achieving the success of sexed semen. Like other parts of the world, a recent field study from the Indian sub‐continent reported 39.92% CR from AI using sex‐sorted semen (Joshi et al, 2021) and a few others are also on the same line (Patel & Jethva, 2019; Sharma et al, 2018, 2019). Yet, there is still a paucity of information about the extent of use and success rate of sexed or sorted semen in indigenous cattle breeds and also the refinements in the protocols/optimized AI protocols augmenting CR of sexed semen under farm as well as field conditions.…”