Question
(a) What is the programme called that is involved in improving success rate of production of desired hybrid and herd size of cattle?
(b) Explain the method used for carrying this programme for cows.Solution
(a) To improve chances of successful production of desired hybrids and herd size of cattle, the programme called Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology (MOET) is used.
(b) In this method, a cow is administered hormones, with FSH-like activity, to induce follicular maturation and super ovulation that is production of 6-8 eggs per cycle instead of one egg. The animal is either mated with an elite bull or artificially inseminated. The fertilised eggs at 8-32 cells stages, are recovered non-surgically and transferred to surrogate mothers. The genetic mother is available for another round of super ovulation.
