Using embryo sexing within closed mixed multiple ovulation and embryo transfer schemes for selection on dairy cattle

Two types of multiple ovulation and embryo transfer schemes that included bull progeny testing were compared. In the juvenile schemes, embryos were collected at 16 to 18 mo of age without sexing, whereas, in the adult schemes, donors were chosen based on their first lactation record, and their embryos were systematically sexed. With the latter schemes, natural calves obtained at the first two calvings could compete with embryo transfer calves to be replacements. The optimal structure of this scheme was derived algebraically for the same number of transferred embryos as in the juvenile schemes. Predicted asymptotic annual genetic gains, after stabilization of genetic parameters taking into account the Bulmer effect, were found to be slightly in favor of the adult schemes for a given set of parameters (overall number of transferred embryos, number of embryos per collection, and embryo survival rate). In the adult schemes, the nucleus sizes were much larger than in the juvenile schemes, which allowed a higher selection differential on male paths, thus compensating for the longer generation interval. Asymptotic rate of genetic gain for Monte Carlo simulations were about 10 and 7% lower for juvenile and adult schemes, respectively, but still higher (20%) than the predicted value for the corresponding conventional scheme. Consequently, adult schemes with embryo sexing can be an efficient alternative to juvenile schemes without embryo sexing.