1. Embryo Transfer for Dissemination of κ-casein BB Genotype and Improvement of Milk Clotting Properties
- Author
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E. Iacono, B. Merlo, G. Dell'eva, D. Bolognini, Dell'eva G., Bolognini D., Iacono E., and Merlo B.
- Subjects
animal structures ,Breeding program ,food and beverages ,Genetic selection ,Embryo transfer ,Coagulation trait ,Milk clotting propertie ,Biology ,Milk workability ,Andrology ,fluids and secretions ,κ-casein B ,Food Animals ,Casein ,Genotype ,Animal Science and Zoology - Abstract
Background and Objective: Milk production and cheese industries need to balance the genetic progress in milk yield and protein content with the need for improving milk coagulation properties and workability. Our objective was to determine how rapidly and to what extent Milk Clotting Properties (MCP) could be improved by using Embryo Transfer (ET) to increase the frequency of the κ-casein BB genotype and reducing A and E variants in an Italian Holstein herd with a low prevalence of the favorable genotype. Materials and Methods: In a herd of 352 cows, with a relatively low distribution of the favorable κ-casein BB genotype (11.0%) and poor milk clotting properties, κ-casein BB animals were superovulated (36 out of 39) and bred with SexedULTRA™ sex-sorted semen of κ-casein BB bulls in order to improve milk workability and cheese yield. Forty-five embryo transfer sessions yielded 203 embryos, 108 pregnancies and 98 females, of which 89 calved and entered the first lactation. Results: Milk composition and coagulation properties differed significantly among the groups considered (p
- Published
- 2020
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