Use of sexed semen in Italian Holstein Frieisian cows: a field trial

Aim of this study was to examine the performance of sexed semen in Holstein Friesian cattle in field condition. A total of 1,282 insemination (98% of heifers) were recorded in 92 Italian commercial dairy herds, from September 2002 to December 2003. Four selected Holstein Friesian dairy bulls with sexed semen, produced by flow citometry method, were used. Results are currently recording and they will be discussed. However, a preliminary subset of the first 164 artificial inseminations, using ultrasound, showed a pregnancy rate of 50% with around 90% of females embryos. However, a large variability was showed on these results due to herd, region, sire and their interactions. An economic simulation study, was also conducted in order to verify the most important factors to modify the economical benefits on use of sexed semen. The two most important factors were: price of crossing calves and percentage of sexed semen purity. In conclusion a field application of sexed semen respect to the use of conventional sperm seems to be useful but more data are needed before to clear its economical and technical impacts on animal production sector.