Current status, scope and constraints of sexed semen - An Indian perspective

The aim of sexed semen is to produce a calf of a specific sex. The use of sexed semen increases the rate of genetic gain not only from the daughter-dam path but also through production of superior male from elite cows for future breeding. Gender selection using sexed semen from genetically elite bulls is imperative to meet the projected demand of 191.3 million tones of milk by 2020 in the country. The demand of sex semen in dairy cattle is also increasing in order to dispose the large number of unproductive males, to ensure required number of progenies per bull under progeny testing programme and to reduce the replacement cost on heifers. In India, this technique is gradually been adopted by many states like Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Kerala etc. However, high cost and lower fertility limits its wider use across the country. Furthermore, there is need to standardize the lower dosage of spermatozoa, site of deposition for AI with good conception rate in Indian conditions. Optimal use of sexing technology also requires excellent and careful animal management (nutrition, disease control, estrus detection, semen handling, and insemination technique) for obtaining higher efficiency. More research needs to be carried out to make it feasible in order to extend this technique in our country.