Award details

13TSB_AgriFood: Optimising the delivery of superior genetics through advanced genomic selection of bovine embryos

Reference	BB/L017415/1
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Professor Kevin Sinclair
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	University of Nottingham
Department	Sch of Biosciences
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	126,535
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	06/01/2014
End date	05/01/2016
Duration	24 months

Abstract

We will apply advanced breeding technologies to produce (both in-vivo and in-vitro) pre-implantation bovine embryos from which biopsies will be taken to interrogate their genomic makeup using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP chips). It is currently possible to screen dairy and beef cattle genomically, but responses to selection are impeded by waiting for the gestation of the calf on which genomic selection is performed. The screening of bovine embryos, however, would optimise the delivery and amplification of superior genetics by advancing the time of selection and reducing "wastage" of unwanted calves of inappropriate sex. This project will, therefore, combine advanced embryo breeding technologies with state-of-the-art genomic screening (so called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), and karyomapping (combining parental DNA information with the offspring's genomic information to provide more genetic detail). It will develop strategies for: (i) optimal bovine embryo culture using sexed semen, (ii) embryo biopsy in order to extract a small number of blastomeres for genomic analysis, (iii) karyomapping SNP genotype data from Multiple Displacement Amplification products and (iv) ehnancing pregnancy establishment of frozen-thawed embryos. Proof of principle that the new technologies can be used to deliver superior genetics more efficiently to the breeding herd will be confirmed by conducting genomic analyses of calves. Importantly, this project is geared towards the development and use of a unique and highly marketable product (i.e. genetically evaluated sexed embryos) that will deliver superior genetics to the global market at low cost, and in a high-welfare and bio-secure manner. This will have huge economic benefits for the UK based commercial companies concerned, and for both the dairy and beef sectors of the UK cattle industry; and ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of technical innovation retaining its international competitive advantage.

Summary

This proposal is a natural but significant extension of two existing TSB funded projects involving the two collaborating academic institutions (i.e. TS/101069 ['Applying advanced breeding technologies to amplify and distribute bovine genetics to increase production efficiency and sustainability', involving the University of Nottingham], and TS/J003182/1 [Pig IVF and genetics: a route to global sustainability, involving the University of Kent]) to develop advanced breeding technologies in cattle with commercial partners (i.e. Paragon/XLVets, Cogent Breeding Ltd and Illumina Inc) that will allow the marketing of embryos that have undergone a complete genomic evaluation (including sexing) in order to estimate the breeding value of progeny for traits of commercial importance at the earliest possible stage of development. This project will apply advanced breeding technologies to produce (both in-vivo and in-vitro) pre-implantation bovine embryos from which biopsies will be taken to interrogate their genomic makeup using single nucleotide polymorphism arrays (SNP chips). It is currently possible to screen dairy and beef cattle genomically, but responses to selection are impeded by waiting for the gestation of the calf on which genomic selection is performed. The screening of bovine embryos, however, would optimise the delivery and amplification of superior genetics by advancing the time of selection and reducing "wastage" of unwanted calves of inappropriate sex. This project will, therefore, combine advanced embryo breeding technologies with state-of-the-art genomic screening (so called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis), and karyomapping (combining parental DNA information with the offspring's genomic information to provide more genetic detail). It will develop strategies for: (i) optimal bovine embryo culture using sexed semen, (ii) embryo biopsy in order to extract a small number of blastomeres for genomic analysis, (iii) karyomapping SNP genotype data from MultipleDisplacement Amplification products and (iv) ehnancing pregnancy establishment of frozen-thawed embryos. Proof of principle that the new technologies can be used to deliver superior genetics more efficiently to the breeding herd will be confirmed by conducting genomic analyses of calves. Importantly, this project is geared towards the development and use of a unique and highly marketable product (i.e. genetically evaluated sexed embryos) that will deliver superior genetics to the global market at low cost, and in a high-welfare and bio-secure manner. This will have huge economic benefits for the UK based commercial companies concerned, and for both the dairy and beef sectors of the UK cattle industry; and ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of technical innovation retaining its competitive advantage over larger breeding companies currently situated in Europe, North and South America.

Impact Summary

This project is geared towards the use of a unique and highly desirable saleable product; that is the marketing of embryos that have undergone a complete genomic evaluation (including sexing) in order to estimate the breeding value of progeny for traits of commercial importance at the earliest possible stage of development. This new 'product' (approach) has the benefit of significantly reducing the generation interval (by at least 9 months). The additional introduction of sexed semen/embryos has the advantage of increasing the number of embryos/progeny of the desirable sex for genomic analysis, and this facilitates greater selection intensity. Collectively these approaches will increase response to selection for desirable traits associated with yield, fertility and animal health. Such an approach will have huge economic benefits for both the dairy and beef sectors of the UK cattle industry, and ensure that the UK remains at the cutting edge of technical innovation retaining its competitive advantage over larger breeding companies currently situated in Europe, North and South America. It also offers important environmental, ethical, biosecurity and animal welfare benefits. The judicious selection of calf sex avoids the production of 'unwanted' greenhouse-gas emitting ruminant offspring (which may otherwise need to be destroyed), and facilitates increased selection intensity for desirable traits that may include increased disease resistance (e.g. bovine tuberculosis). Developmentally competent and genetically evaluated sexed embryos are also a highly marketable commodity that can deliver superior genetics to the global market at low cost, and in a high-welfare and bio-secure manner. The primary route to market will exploit an embryo transfer service offered by Activf-ET (established as part of TSB Project 101069, 'Applying Advanced Breeding Technologies to Amplify and Distribute Bovine Genetics to Increase Production Efficiency and Sustainability' of which the University of Nottingham is a partner), in collaboration with Cogent Breeding Ltd, who are also partners in this TSB project, and in the current application. A new partner to our consortium is Professor Darren Griffin (University of Kent), who has experience with a separate TSB project (TS/J003182/1: Pig IVF and genetics: a route to global sustainability). In the current proposal sexed and genetically evaluated embryos would not only be created for the domestic UK market, but would also become available for export to new and rapidly expanding markets in China and India, as well as to more established markets across Europe and North America. This is readily achievable in parallel with Cogent's established frozen semen worldwide distribution (spanning 35 countries). A significant element of training exists in the current proposal, not simply among the various partners most closely associated with this bid, but also to the extensive network of XLVets (based in 51 geographically distributed practices throughout the UK). Many of these practices will be trained in techniques of oocyte retrieval from donor cows (OPU) and embryo transfer (ET) into recipient cows. There are also aspects of oocyte donor and embryo recipient management that need to be extended to participating farmers. This will be achieved through the publication of technical literature and via a series of stake-holder meetings during the 3 years of this project, during which advice and guidance would be offered on general cow management and health, but more specifically on aspects such as oestrus synchronisation and heat detection, and strategies to enhance early embryo survival following transfer. The Kent group will take the lead with a significant training element. Recently they launched an MSc course in Reproductive Medicine that contains a 'hands on' one week practical course. This module is being developed for individuals wishing to enter both clinical and animal IVF.

Committee	Research Committee A (Animal disease, health and welfare)
Research Topics	Animal Health
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	Innovate UK (TSB) [2011-2015]
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

Associated awards:

BB/L017393/1 13TSB_AgriFood: Optimising the delivery of superior genetics through advanced genomic selection of embryos

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