Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges
The sex of the animals is of paramount importance in many animal production systems. This is particularly evident in the production of milk or in breeding programs focused on the production of female animals. In some cases, slaughter or euthanasia of animals of the unwanted sex becomes the only solu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1181659/full |
| _version_ | 1827641806832009216 |
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| author | Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Graça Lopes António Rocha Rosário Pinto-Leite Rosário Pinto-Leite Margarida Fardilha Bruno Colaço Bruno Colaço |
| author_facet | Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Graça Lopes António Rocha Rosário Pinto-Leite Rosário Pinto-Leite Margarida Fardilha Bruno Colaço Bruno Colaço |
| author_sort | Joana Quelhas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The sex of the animals is of paramount importance in many animal production systems. This is particularly evident in the production of milk or in breeding programs focused on the production of female animals. In some cases, slaughter or euthanasia of animals of the unwanted sex becomes the only solution, highlighting ethical and economic concerns. As global demand for food continues to rise, the importance of addressing these issues becomes more evident. Reproductive technologies, such as sperm sexing techniques, may hold the key to addressing both animal welfare and the sustainability of animal production. The use of semen enriched with sperm capable of producing offspring of the desired sex can serve as a valuable tool for producers to exert greater control over production outcomes, not only helping to mitigate welfare issues related to the unnecessary premature death of unwanted offspring but also providing a possible ally in the face of stricter animal welfare guidelines. In addition, sexed semen can also contribute to financial gains and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and food waste associated with the less profitable part of the herd. This paper explores the positive impacts that sperm sexing can have on animal welfare, economy, and environment. It also discusses currently available options and strategies for more successful implementation of sexed semen. Partnerships between companies and scientists will be essential to find innovative ways to adapt current production systems and develop sperm sexing technologies that apply to most livestock industries. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:19:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2bf7c3e8558a43f9b1226ed4694a789f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2297-1769 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:19:55Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| spelling | doaj.art-2bf7c3e8558a43f9b1226ed4694a789f2023-11-24T13:17:04ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692023-11-011010.3389/fvets.2023.11816591181659Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challengesJoana Quelhas0Joana Quelhas1Joana Quelhas2Patrícia Pinto-Pinho3Patrícia Pinto-Pinho4Patrícia Pinto-Pinho5Patrícia Pinto-Pinho6Graça Lopes7António Rocha8Rosário Pinto-Leite9Rosário Pinto-Leite10Margarida Fardilha11Bruno Colaço12Bruno Colaço13Laboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, PortugalDepartment of Veterinary Clinics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto, Porto, PortugalDepartment of Veterinary Sciences, University School Vasco da Gama, Coimbra, PortugalLaboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PortugalLaboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., Vila Real, PortugalExperimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto FG, E.P.E. (IPO-Porto), Porto, PortugalDepartment of Veterinary Clinics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto, Porto, PortugalDepartment of Imuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar-University of Porto, Porto, PortugalLaboratory of Genetics and Andrology, Hospital Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, E.P.E., Vila Real, PortugalExperimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto FG, E.P.E. (IPO-Porto), Porto, PortugalLaboratory of Signal Transduction, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, PortugalCentre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PortugalAnimal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV)/Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PortugalThe sex of the animals is of paramount importance in many animal production systems. This is particularly evident in the production of milk or in breeding programs focused on the production of female animals. In some cases, slaughter or euthanasia of animals of the unwanted sex becomes the only solution, highlighting ethical and economic concerns. As global demand for food continues to rise, the importance of addressing these issues becomes more evident. Reproductive technologies, such as sperm sexing techniques, may hold the key to addressing both animal welfare and the sustainability of animal production. The use of semen enriched with sperm capable of producing offspring of the desired sex can serve as a valuable tool for producers to exert greater control over production outcomes, not only helping to mitigate welfare issues related to the unnecessary premature death of unwanted offspring but also providing a possible ally in the face of stricter animal welfare guidelines. In addition, sexed semen can also contribute to financial gains and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and food waste associated with the less profitable part of the herd. This paper explores the positive impacts that sperm sexing can have on animal welfare, economy, and environment. It also discusses currently available options and strategies for more successful implementation of sexed semen. Partnerships between companies and scientists will be essential to find innovative ways to adapt current production systems and develop sperm sexing technologies that apply to most livestock industries.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1181659/fullsperm sexingreproductive technologiesreproductionanimal productionanimal welfaresustainability |
| spellingShingle | Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Joana Quelhas Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Patrícia Pinto-Pinho Graça Lopes António Rocha Rosário Pinto-Leite Rosário Pinto-Leite Margarida Fardilha Bruno Colaço Bruno Colaço Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges Frontiers in Veterinary Science sperm sexing reproductive technologies reproduction animal production animal welfare sustainability |
| title | Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| title_full | Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| title_fullStr | Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| title_short | Sustainable animal production: exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| title_sort | sustainable animal production exploring the benefits of sperm sexing technologies in addressing critical industry challenges |
| topic | sperm sexing reproductive technologies reproduction animal production animal welfare sustainability |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1181659/full |
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