Public Funding for Animal Breeding Europe Limited

Enhancing ovine performance and reducing environmental impact through genetic improvement is key to a sustainable UK sheep industry. Artificial breeding enables breeders to enhance and accelerate genetic gain in commercially important traits. ABEurope has developed In Vitro Production (IVP) in cattle, offering a successful alternative to Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET). Preliminary work suggests ovine IVP could transform the UK sheep industry by offering a new, less invasive approach to assisted breeding. This project will evaluate IVP in sheep by comparing IVP and MOET in a cohort of selected females and will identify the components that are key to success.