Hybrid dairy cattle and systems for maximizing hybrid advantage
Inventors
Lightner, Jon • Williams, Richard
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11419316-B2
Publication Date
2022-08-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems for selecting, generating, and breeding hybrid dairy cattle are described, as are methods for maintaining herds of hybrid cattle.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd of dairy cattle by implanting an F1 hybrid crossbreed embryo into each of a plurality of F1 female dairy cattle. Each of the F1 female dairy cattle results from a first F1-selected crossbreed cross in which an F0 female gamete is fertilized with an F0 male gamete, and the F0 male and female gametes are from different breeds. The implanted embryo is produced from a second F1-selected crossbreed cross.
The method maintains the hybrid herd by selecting one or both of the F0 male and female gametes from an F0 individual or line selected based on one or more improved performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny generated in crosses of the same individual or line. Prior F1 progeny performance is used to choose which F0 individual or line contributes the F0 gametes for the second F1-selected crossbreed cross that produces the implanted embryo.
The described approach addresses the inability to reliably maintain uniform hybrid traits in subsequent generations due to chromosomal segregation and independent assortment, which can cause recombination. The method instead uses performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny and continues selecting F0 individuals or lines to support maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim includes 3 inventive features. It combines maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd with F1-selected crossbreed cross generation and selecting F0 individuals or lines based on improved performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny.
Maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd by implantation into F1 females
A method of maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd of dairy cattle comprising implanting an F1 hybrid crossbreed embryo into each of a plurality of F1 female dairy cattle, wherein each F1 female resulted from a first F1-selected crossbreed cross, and wherein each implanted F1 hybrid crossbreed embryo results from a second F1-selected crossbreed cross.
F1-selected crossbreed cross from F0 gametes of different breeds
An F1-selected cross is one that involves fertilization of an F0 female gamete with an F0 male gamete, wherein the F0 male and female gametes are from different breeds.
Selecting F0 individuals or lines based on improved performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny
One or both of the F0 male and female gametes is from an F0 individual or line selected based on one or more improved performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny generated in crosses of the same individual or line.
The independent claim is directed to maintaining an F1 hybrid crossbreed herd by implanting F1 hybrid crossbreed embryos into plural F1 females produced from a first F1-selected cross, with the embryos produced from a second F1-selected cross using F0 gametes from different breeds and with at least one F0 gamete sourced from an F0 individual or line selected based on improved performance characteristics of prior F1 progeny.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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