The effect of alternative mating designs and selection strategies on adult multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) nucleus breeding schemes in dairy cattle

Abstract

Three breeding schemes were investigated by Monte Carlo simulation: use of more than 1 ♂ from each sibship; use of factorial mating designs where each dam is mated to more than 1 sire; use of more than 1 ♂ from each selected sibship combined with factorial mating designs. The results were compared with those from schemes using hierarchical mating designs and with 1 ♂ chosen at random from each selected ♂ full-sib group. The use of more than 1 ♂ from each selected sibship reduced inbreeding rates by 24-34% because more sires were used. With 1 ♂ chosen from each selected sibship, factorial mating designs increased selection response rates by up to 13% because the number of sibships, and hence the number of ♂ candidates, was increased. Finally, factorial sibship schemes, which employed both of these strategies, increased response rates by 5-14% and, with one exception, reduced inbreeding rates by 14-30%.