Abstract
Breeding and calving records from 2013- 2016 maintained at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research center was used for current study with aim of assessing ratios of calves born and identifying some of the factors affecting ratios of calves born. The data was cleared, arranged, categorized and pulled into years and analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science Version 20.0 (SPSS). The probability of a male calf being born was analyzed by chi square test. A threshold significance level was determined at the P <0.05. The result indicated that the overall sex ratio of calves born was i.e. the ratio of male to female is 57.1 to 42.9. Parity of the breeding cow doesn’t have statistically significant effect on the sex ratio of calves born. The statistically analysis also shows that breeding year and season had not have the significant effect the sex ratio of calves born. In addition the sire line with which the animals inseminated has no significant effect. The result also indicted for the presence of significant difference of breeding method on sex ratio of calves born. From this it was concluded that breeding method has a significant effect on sex ratio of calves born in which number of male calves were higher in animals inseminated artificial and vice versa. Modern dairy reproductive technologies which enables to get more number of female calves has to be look into consideration to increase number of female animals for dairy producers in addition to providing efficient artificial insemination service in the country. Keywords: Calf sex ratio, Breeding method, Adami Tulu DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/9-1-01
Highlights
Sex ratio theory is defined as the ratio of male-to-female offspring at birth, which ideally should be equal, which is one of the more developed areas of evolutionary biology
The result pertains to overall sex ratio of calves born is indicated in figure 1
The current findings are in agreement with findings by Bekele, (2005); Frehiwot T et al, (2014) for the increment of male calf sex born following artificial insemination in different parts of Ethiopia but the current figure is higher than the figure they reported
Summary
Sex ratio theory is defined as the ratio of male-to-female offspring at birth, which ideally should be equal, which is one of the more developed areas of evolutionary biology. The sex of calf is determined by the presence or absence of a Y chromosome in fertilizing sperm cell. It a Y chromosome is present in fertilizing sperm cells, the calf will be male and if the Y chromosome is absent in fertilizing sperm, the calf will be female (John et al, 2002). The effectiveness of selection and genetic improvement programs can be sensibly enhanced by the manipulation of sex ratio offspring born through the differential increase in the number of females or males calves (Seidel 2003). In commercial dairy cattle production where a high number of female calves is desirable sex ratio is the major trait of economic importance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
