Characterisation of differences in cervical function in ewe breeds known to have divergent fertility following artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen. (part of the project "Sustainable Sheep Production - SusSheP")
The overall aim of SusSheP is to increase the sustainability and profitability of European Sheep Production by addressing key industry focused problems.
The breeding of more efficient sheep has been hampered internationally by the lack of sheep artificial insemination, as the only effective method for use with frozen-thawed semen is a laparoscopic procedure, whereby, semen is injected directly into the uterus but this requires veterinary expertise, is welfare unfriendly and sociable unacceptable. The only exception to this is in Norway, where artificial insemination is performed by vaginal deposition of frozen-thawed semen which yields good pregnancy rates. Research in Ireland has demonstrated this is due to the breed of the ewe used in Norway, whereby sperm can transverse the cervix in greater numbers than in other breeds, leading to higher pregnancy rates. SusSheP will interrogate the differences across six European breeds (2 in Ireland, 2 in France and 2 in Norway) in cervical physiology and its secretions (genes, proteins and glycans) with a view of building on the work already done towards understanding why sperm can traverse the cervix in some ewe breeds but not others, and help developing a more sociably acceptable AI method in other countries. Finally, through the participation of strategically chosen SMEs, SusSheP will maximise knowledge transfer to industry, farmers and the scientific communities.
The focus of this application is for experiments carried out on 30 Norsk Kvit Sau (NKS) and 30 pelssau in Norway (Seksjon for småfeforskning, NMBU). The animals will be housed under optimal conditions for sheep and looked after by highly skilled personell. The ewes will be followed through 6 estruses, 3 synchronized and 3 natural. Treatments as deposition of a vaginal sponge and collection of mucus, are through procedures common used on farms. This will be of minimal discomfort to the animals. Based on significant experimental experience within the groups in France and Ireland on the natural variation in the outcomes of interest, typically observed within a population of ewes, such as that proposed for this project, we have endavoured to reduce the number of animals employed per treatment group to the minimum required for adequate statistical power.
The breeding of more efficient sheep has been hampered internationally by the lack of sheep artificial insemination, as the only effective method for use with frozen-thawed semen is a laparoscopic procedure, whereby, semen is injected directly into the uterus but this requires veterinary expertise, is welfare unfriendly and sociable unacceptable. The only exception to this is in Norway, where artificial insemination is performed by vaginal deposition of frozen-thawed semen which yields good pregnancy rates. Research in Ireland has demonstrated this is due to the breed of the ewe used in Norway, whereby sperm can transverse the cervix in greater numbers than in other breeds, leading to higher pregnancy rates. SusSheP will interrogate the differences across six European breeds (2 in Ireland, 2 in France and 2 in Norway) in cervical physiology and its secretions (genes, proteins and glycans) with a view of building on the work already done towards understanding why sperm can traverse the cervix in some ewe breeds but not others, and help developing a more sociably acceptable AI method in other countries. Finally, through the participation of strategically chosen SMEs, SusSheP will maximise knowledge transfer to industry, farmers and the scientific communities.
The focus of this application is for experiments carried out on 30 Norsk Kvit Sau (NKS) and 30 pelssau in Norway (Seksjon for småfeforskning, NMBU). The animals will be housed under optimal conditions for sheep and looked after by highly skilled personell. The ewes will be followed through 6 estruses, 3 synchronized and 3 natural. Treatments as deposition of a vaginal sponge and collection of mucus, are through procedures common used on farms. This will be of minimal discomfort to the animals. Based on significant experimental experience within the groups in France and Ireland on the natural variation in the outcomes of interest, typically observed within a population of ewes, such as that proposed for this project, we have endavoured to reduce the number of animals employed per treatment group to the minimum required for adequate statistical power.