Applications and world-wide use of sexed semen in cattle

Successful sorting of sperm based on presence of the X- or Y-chromosome was first reported in the early 1980′s with the first live births reported in rabbits in 1988. Subsequent development of technological efficiencies resulted in commercialization of sex-sorted semen to cattle producers in 2003–2005. At product launch, low throughput dictated that reasonable prices to the producer could only be accomplished with extremely low sperm number dosages (2 × 106). Furthermore, conception rates were 70%–75% of those achieved by conventional unsorted product. Refinements in sorting equipment have enhanced the number of sperm that can be sorted from a semen sample and (or) aliquot of time, which translates into reduced production costs, while modifications to other aspects of sperm processing and freezing have facilitated maintenance of a conception potential more similar to that of conventional semen. More recently, strategic use of sex-sorted semen coupled with genomic technologies to identify superior females to satisfy replacement female needs has, by default, led to identification of a population of dairy cows from which replacements are not desired, leading to a tremendous increase in use of beef semen in dairy herds. Though exact numbers are unavailable, estimates indicate sex-sorted semen is rapidly approaching 30% of the total AI market share in North America. Though the primary application of sex-sorted semen is to accelerate genetic progress while enhancing biosecurity through in-house production of replacement animals, numerous other potential applications are evolving or are under consideration. •From 2017–2020, sales of unsexed dairy semen declined ~20% in North America.•From 2017–2020, sales of unsexed beef semen increased ~64% in North America.•The market share of sexed semen in North America is approaching 30% of all sales.