Dairy cattle reproductive physiology research and management - Past progress and future prospects

Artificial insemination developed as the solution for two important problems in the dairy cattle industry during the past 50 yr: 1) the need for genetic improvement and 2) the elimination of costly venereal diseases. Cooperation among researchers, extension workers, veterinarians, dairy producers, and emerging AI organizations in pooling their expertise, was instrumental to the remarkably rapid development of AI. The cooperation of universities, government, and producers to fund teams of reproductive specialists to collaborate and transfer findings quickly to potential users was a major component of this successful venture. Money invested in these experiments was estimated to have returned about $100 for each $1 invested. Successful freezing of sperm led to the development of the field of cryobiology, and AI paved the way for embryo transfer. The development of ultrasound equipment; various types of rapid hormone assays; prostaglandins, progestogens, and GnRH; and computerization made possible various alternative management plans for controlling reproduction. Multidisciplinary, multigeographical teams that gather basic needed information have the potential for making excellent progress. As herd size increases, new programs for efficient reproductive management and for identifying needed research through computer modeling are a must. Sexed embryos from elite cows and bulls will be used selectively. When embryonic stem cell technology becomes practical, it will revolutionize cattle breeding.