Factors affecting conception rates when using sex sorted semen in Western Australian dairy heifers

Searle, Felicity Jane Marshall (2019) Factors affecting conception rates when using sex sorted semen in Western Australian dairy heifers. Honours thesis, Murdoch University.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of oestrous detection within a 5-day timed artificial insemination program (TAI) on conception rates in dairy heifers when using sex sorted semen. This was compared to a control group using conventional semen.

A total of 198 healthy dairy heifers were subjected to a 5 Day Co-synch protocol. Animals were determined to be in oestrus based on the activation of a scratcher detection patch and were assigned into two treatment groups: conventional semen (n=77) and sex sorted semen (n=76). Semen type and heifer weight had statistically significant and positive effects on conception rates (P<0.05, P0.01). Insemination technician, body condition score, bull, heat and reproductive tract score did not affect pregnancy per artificial insemination (P/AI). Further research should be conducted on a larger sample size to explore the potential effects of these factors.

Item Type:	Thesis (Honours)
Murdoch Affiliation(s):	School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
United Nations SDGs:	Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Supervisor(s):	Rovay, Herbert
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/50564

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