 |
|
 |
 |
 |
Project Detail |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Partners |
|
|
 |
|
|
Committees |
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
 |
|
|
 |
| In India, the crossbreeding strategy has widely been utilized for genetic improvement of indigenous cattle breeds with the purpose of increasing milk production. Current crossbred cattle strength of the country is about 25 million. The crossbred milch cattle have significant contribution towards overall milk production of the country and increased heavily during the period of 1997 to 2003 (34.4%). As per the 17th livestock census, crossbred cattle constitute 13.3% of the total cattle (185 million) and 86.7% are indigenous in nature. Cows produce 40% of the total milk, out of which 21.1% comes from indegenous and 19.9% from crossbred cattle (http://www.dahd.nic.in; 2005-06 estimate). Considering the scope of crossbreeding, the population is likely to increase steadily in the years to come and will demand a large number of breeding bulls with high genetic merit. However, the availability of superior crossbred bulls is a limiting factor for cattle improvement programme. |
| Experiences at various organizations (Project Directorate on Cattle, Meerut, Sabarmati Ashram Gaushala, Bidaj, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar and Kerala Livestock Development Board, Mattupatty) of India indicate that more than 50% crossbred young bulls (progenies of elite dams and proven bulls), inducted for semen collection, are straightway rejected because of poor semen quality, poor libido, poor freezability etc. However, rejection on the basis of poor semen motility is the most prominent reason. Rearing and maintenance of ineffective bulls till maturity also incurs profound loss to the dairy industry in terms of time, labour and money and they become the liability as these bulls can not be slaughtered in most of the states in India. The alarming rate of crossbred bulls rejection, together with limited number of potential crossbred bulls availability have become a serious threat to execute cross breeding programmes of immense national importance. |
The aim of the present study is to understand the genetic/molecular mechanisms behind the rejection of crossbred bulls. The present study will provide an important insight into the inheritance pattern of semen quality, freezability and fertility of different crossbred groups The study will also emphasize the role of epigenetics in regulating sperm motility, fertilization, cleavage of oocytes and embryonic development. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
