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Hi Kate
Good to see that interest in the use of reproductive techniques to increase genetic diversity is still being strongly mooted within the society. I agree ET is an important route but I have several reservations regarding intercontinental embryo shippment,
a) Shipping an embryo today will have exactly the same effect on diversity as waiting a couple of years and shipping the actual animal
i) Until equine embryo freezing techniques are improved, the best chance for embryo survival is chilled transport
ii) Chilled transport adds layers of complexity in terms of paperwork and co-ordinating recipients / donors and transport arrangements relative to the time of embryo flushing - and all may be for nothing should no embryo be recovered at the appointed time.
b) Although extremely high profile, the cumulative costs of long-distance embryo shipment/transfer can easily exceed those of live animal shipping and the chances of establishing a successful pregnancy are much less than if the donor and recipient are together.
As freezing techniques improve (and they are all the time) so embryo shipment will become a more useful proposition (as in cattle today) but for the moment I wouldn' have thought it the best use of resources.
I tend to look on embryo transfer as a great method to increase the number of purebred births but artificial insemination is the key to increasing diversity - and its relatively easy, robust in transport and relatively cheap!!
I know of the considerable strides that the Society has made in freezing semen - but at the chalk face here - when I admit mares who need intensive breeding management I have the greatest difficulty in sourcing purebred Cleveland Bay chilled semen without compromising SPARKS advice. A little more effort at this level would reap great rewards.
Sorry for the diatribe - I would love to hear others thoughts
All best wishes
Caroline
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Division of Equine Studie, Dept of Veterinary Clinical Science, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Neston, Wirral, CH64 7TB
From: ClevelandBayBreedGenetics@yahoogroups.com on behalf of rascalita2003
Sent: Thu 14/02/2008 13:23
To: ClevelandBayBreedGenetics@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ClevelandBayBreedGenetics] emryo transfer
Hi All
New Year Old topic thats needs updated views.
Embryo transfer has had much airing elsewhere of late and I do feel
that it is a topic best addressed within this group.
This will then enable those of us that are getting asked,to respond in
a better manner.
A new breeders group is starting to be put together and one of the
issues is the possibility of the flow of embryos between the
continents to improve the diversity of the available genetic bank.
Carolyn (Argo) as this is something that you and I have discussed
could you start the debate off?
regards
Kate
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