Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) is an advanced reproductive technology used in animal breeding to increase the reproductive rate of superior females.
MOET selection schemes are designed to maximize the annual rate of genetic progress.
This progress is achieved by increasing selection intensity and reducing the generation interval.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The annual rate of genetic gain depends on the accuracy of selection, the selection intensity, the genetic variance, and the generation interval.
In a conventional progeny testing scheme, the generation interval is long because bulls cannot be selected until their daughters complete their first lactation.
MOET schemes reduce this generation interval by using embryo transfer to produce many siblings from young donors.
MOET schemes are classified into two main types:
Adult MOET schemes: In these schemes, donor females are selected after completing their first lactation. While this method provides highly accurate records, it has a longer generation interval.
Juvenile MOET schemes: In these schemes, selections are made at an early age before the animals reach sexual maturity.
In a juvenile MOET scheme, young males are selected as future sires based on the pedigree information of their parents and relatives, before any progeny or individual performance records are available.
Selecting males at this early stage reduces the generation interval, which can increase the annual rate of genetic gain despite the lower accuracy of early selection.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, males are selected at an early age in juvenile MOET schemes.