174 What Quality and Fertility Should We Expect When Using Semen Cryopreservation and AI with Livestock? a Comparison Across Species

Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) can be used across most agricultural species and will result in some degree of fertility when employed correctly. Still, conversations with agricultural producers and scientists (corporate, academic, governmental) repeatedly reveal that they do not know what success rates they should anticipate when using some ARTs, specifically semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination, with agricultural species (beef and dairy cattle, goats, pigs, poultry, sheep). These perceptions hinder ART application within the agricultural and scientific communities. Understanding these expected results is a critical component that is used to guide the USDA National Animal Germplasm Program laboratory operations for collecting, freezing and using germ plasm (semen, eggs, embryos, DNA, tissues, organs, cells), has consequently resulted in growth of the national collection, and provided tools, technologies, and educational opportunities for agricultural producers with documented success. Therefore, the intent of this presentation is to provide an overview of what results should be expected when using semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination across livestock species, explain the factors that influence successful use of these ARTs, which should encourage a more broad acceptance of their use with all agricultural species, and discuss opportunities for research and optimization that will improve fertility when using these technologies.