Question

Explain MOET. Explain the procedure of this technology in cattle improvement.

Answer 1

Hint:
MOET is a traditional method of embryo production. It is a conventional embryo flush and is the most common procedure used in advanced cattle breeding. The hormone used in the process involves Follicle-stimulating hormone.

Complete answer:
> The effective method of increasing the reproduction rate of individuals or groups of animals is called Embryo Transfer (ET).
> MOET stands for Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer Technology. Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) can be defined as a process or steps in removing the fertilized eggs from a female donor and putting them in multiple surrogate’s recipients, who are not related genetically.
> This technique can be carried out in a range of farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goat, buffalo, and pig except in horses which are not able to be super ovulated.
> The MOET program is widely carried out in cattle because it increases the production of offspring significantly.
> The basic steps involved are programming, heat detection, embryo collection, embryo transfer.
> It involves a superovulation program in which the donor cow is administered hormones to induce follicular maturation. Instead of one egg, they produce 6-8eggs during a natural heat.
> The donor cow is artificially inseminated. The fertilized eggs at 8-32 celled stages, are recovered non-surgically and transferred to surrogate mothers. This technology is used to increase the herd size in a short time.
> The resulting pregnancy rates using MOET technology are expected in the region of 50% or greater.
> Procedure: involved are:
Programming: The cow is administered hormones, with FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), to induce follicular maturation and superovulation twice a day and the recipient requires injection of prostaglandin.
Due to superovulation, the cow produces more than 6–8 eggs per cycle instead of one egg per cycle.
This superovulated cow is mated either with an elite bull or artificially inseminated.
The fertilized eggs at 8–32 cell stages are recovered non-surgically and are transferred to surrogate mothers.

> Advantages of MOET in cattle:
Increase in the reproductive rate of the animals.
No surgery is required
The entire procedure can be easily carried out on a farm.
The embryos can be frozen and stored in the laboratory for future use.
The embryos can also be cryopreserved in banks for future use.

Note: Several considerations should be taken into account when deciding to implement an embryo transfer such as the preparation of donor and recipient, the selection of embryo to be transferred into the recipient, and the requirement for close synchrony of oestrus (sexual cycle) between the donor and recipient.