Feasibility of utilizing advanced reproductive technologies for sheep breeding in Egypt. Part 1. Genetic and nutritional resources.

Elshazly, A. G.; Youngs, C. R.

doi:10.21608/ejsgs.2019.33235

Feasibility of utilizing advanced reproductive technologies for sheep breeding in Egypt. Part 1. Genetic and nutritional resources.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

A. G. Elshazly ¹
C. R. Youngs ²^{, 3}

¹ Iowa State University, Department of Animal Science, 2356B Kildee Hall, 806 Stange Rd, Ames, Iowa 50011-1178 USA.

² Iowa State University, Department of Animal Science, 2356B Kildee Hall, 806 Stange Rd, Ames, Iowa 50011-1178 USA+

³ 2Corresponding author:VOICE: 1-515-294-5541; FAX:1-515-294-4471

10.21608/ejsgs.2019.33235

Abstract

SUMMARY
Sheep are a valuable livestock species because of their ability to convert forages, as well as feedstuffs not suitable for human consumption, into meat and milk that are important sources of human dietary protein. Sheep are the most abundant ruminant livestock species in Egypt, and great opportunity exists to enhance their productivity though implementation of a genetic improvement program utilizing the advanced reproductive technologies of artificial insemination and embryo transfer. These two reproductive technologies permit the production of more offspring from genetically superior animals in a shorter amount of time than would be possible through conventional breeding. It will be important to match the appropriate breeds of sheep with the proper nutritional and production environments that will enable animals to express their full genetic potential for enhanced production of meat, milk and fiber.