Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins

The aim of this study was to analyze possible effects of semen type (conventional vs. female sexed) and calf sex on fertility and production traits. For this purpose, field data of German Holstein heifers in Lower Saxony were evaluated.Sexed semen was mainly used for first insemination. 87.0% female...

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Main Authors: S. Diers, J. Heise, T. Krebs, J. Groenewold, J. Tetens
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2020-06-01
Series:Veterinary and Animal Science
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X20300144
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author S. Diers
J. Heise
T. Krebs
J. Groenewold
J. Tetens
author_facet S. Diers
J. Heise
T. Krebs
J. Groenewold
J. Tetens
author_sort S. Diers
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to analyze possible effects of semen type (conventional vs. female sexed) and calf sex on fertility and production traits. For this purpose, field data of German Holstein heifers in Lower Saxony were evaluated.Sexed semen was mainly used for first insemination. 87.0% female calves were born from sexed semen, while 52.7% female calves were born from conventional semen. Heifers inseminated with sexed semen were on average 43 to 48 days younger at their first calving than heifers inseminated with conventional semen.Calf sex had an influence on the average calving ease and the dystocia rates. Male calves showed higher calving ease scores and caused a higher risk for dystocia than female calves. The semen type had no influence on these characteristics.Within the same calf sex, sexed semen had only minor effects on most traits, except for stillbirth rates: the stillbirth rate for male calves from female sexed semen was 30.6%, which was 2.86 times the stillbirth rate of male calves from conventional semen, possibly due to trisomies.Sexed semen played only a minor role for production traits in first lactations.The extrapolated 305-day milk yield was 200 kg lower for first calf heifers, which were inseminated with sexed semen compared to heifers inseminated with conventional semen. Fat and protein yield were 6 kg to 8 kg lower after use of sexed semen. Animals with female offspring from sexed semen showed higher survival rates than the other groups.
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spelling doaj.art-1dc735e098c74d0b949f11189fbb25dc2022-12-21T23:47:37ZengElsevierVeterinary and Animal Science2451-943X2020-06-019100101Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German HolsteinsS. Diers0J. Heise1T. Krebs2J. Groenewold3J. Tetens4Department of Animal Science, Georg-August-University, Burckhardtweg 2, Göttingen 37077, Germany; Corresponding author.IT Solutions for Animal Production (vit), Heinrich-Schröder-Weg 1, Verden 27283, GermanyDepartment of Animal Science, Georg-August-University, Burckhardtweg 2, Göttingen 37077, GermanyChamber of Agriculture Lower Saxony, Mars-la-Tour-Straße 6, Oldenburg 26121, GermanyDepartment of Animal Science, Georg-August-University, Burckhardtweg 2, Göttingen 37077, GermanyThe aim of this study was to analyze possible effects of semen type (conventional vs. female sexed) and calf sex on fertility and production traits. For this purpose, field data of German Holstein heifers in Lower Saxony were evaluated.Sexed semen was mainly used for first insemination. 87.0% female calves were born from sexed semen, while 52.7% female calves were born from conventional semen. Heifers inseminated with sexed semen were on average 43 to 48 days younger at their first calving than heifers inseminated with conventional semen.Calf sex had an influence on the average calving ease and the dystocia rates. Male calves showed higher calving ease scores and caused a higher risk for dystocia than female calves. The semen type had no influence on these characteristics.Within the same calf sex, sexed semen had only minor effects on most traits, except for stillbirth rates: the stillbirth rate for male calves from female sexed semen was 30.6%, which was 2.86 times the stillbirth rate of male calves from conventional semen, possibly due to trisomies.Sexed semen played only a minor role for production traits in first lactations.The extrapolated 305-day milk yield was 200 kg lower for first calf heifers, which were inseminated with sexed semen compared to heifers inseminated with conventional semen. Fat and protein yield were 6 kg to 8 kg lower after use of sexed semen. Animals with female offspring from sexed semen showed higher survival rates than the other groups.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X20300144Sexed semenCalf sexHeiferStillbirth
spellingShingle S. Diers
J. Heise
T. Krebs
J. Groenewold
J. Tetens
Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
Veterinary and Animal Science
Sexed semen
Calf sex
Heifer
Stillbirth
title Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
title_full Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
title_fullStr Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
title_full_unstemmed Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
title_short Effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in German Holsteins
title_sort effect of sexed semen on different production and functional traits in german holsteins
topic Sexed semen
Calf sex
Heifer
Stillbirth
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2451943X20300144
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AT jheise effectofsexedsemenondifferentproductionandfunctionaltraitsingermanholsteins
AT tkrebs effectofsexedsemenondifferentproductionandfunctionaltraitsingermanholsteins
AT jgroenewold effectofsexedsemenondifferentproductionandfunctionaltraitsingermanholsteins
AT jtetens effectofsexedsemenondifferentproductionandfunctionaltraitsingermanholsteins