Potential Genetic Gains from Producing Bulls with Only Sires as Parents

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Abstract
Micromanipulation of sperm and ova has been suggested as a means to produce progeny of two sires instead of a sire and dam. Selection schemes taking advantage of this technology could produce genetic gains 1.5 to 2 times current gains. An optimum strategy both genetically and economically would be to breed 99% of the population to young sires and 1% to progeny-tested sires. The genetic pathway from sires to sons could become the only pathway affecting genetic gain; this would eliminate problems of cow evaluation and would give artificial insemination organizations more control over quality of young sires. Inbreeding would not be a problem, and few other technologies could offer superior rates of genetic gain.