Manipulation of fertility to enhance productivity of cattle

Fertility is most simply defined as the natural capacity to produce offspring. More technically, it is the ability of male and female animals to produce viable germ cells, mate, conceive, carry and deliver normal living young. Fertility is affected by genetic factors, health status and environmental factors which includes management practices. These factors can affect one or more of the key steps in fertility which are: production of the gametes (the sperm or eggs), ovulation, fertilization, implantation, gestation or parturition. Over the last century, we have learnt to manipulate fertility in cattle by targeting many of these key steps with the goal of producing animals that more efficiently produce meat and milk to meet the demands of the increasing human population. This has required developing and integrating our knowledge in the key disciplines of reproductive biology and genetics, and while much has been achieved, much more is possible.