Published in Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, Vol. LXII, Issue 1
Written by Andreea Hortanse ANGHEL, Dorina NADOLU, Verginica SCHRODER, Florica BUSURICU
Acceleration of genetic gain for some valuable traits represents for some local animal breeds an upmost necessity, especially when unimproved breeds are in competition with more productive ones. The progress in DNA and assisted reproduction technologies could represent a valuable tool to overcome these limitations. In many cases, valuable DNA mutations can have a low frequency, making the breeding process costly and time consuming. Therefore, artificial insemination can contribute to increase the frequency of these mutations in a population. We tested the viability of this combined approach on a Carpathian goat population. In this respect, the potential Carpathian goat males, candidates for semen collection needed for the artificial insemination experiments, were first selected from the herd book based on their known origin and phenotype. To confirm their parentage, we used a panel of 22 microsatellites markers. On the other hand we genotyped the remained candidate males for the alpha s1 casein gene, which is significantly associated with milk casein content and cheese yield. Only four males, with AA, BB and AB genotypes (positively associated with these traits) were retained for semen collection. A number of 450 Carpathian goat females were prepared for insemination using hormonal induction and synchronization of oestrus with fluorogestone acetate impregnated sponges (Chronogest sponges, with FGA 20 mg). In the 9th day after the sponges insertion, pregnant mare serum gonadotropin PMSG (Folligon) was injected in a dosage of 400 UI. The semen was collected from the selected males using an artificial vagina and was subsequentlyanalysed and processed for insemination. The goats were artificial inseminated in fixed point, 45 ± 2 hours after the sponges removal, with freshly diluted semen that was collected and diluted 2-3 h before insemination. Fecundity calculated after the end of parturition was 84.65%.
[Read full article] [Citation]
