Review lecture - Relevance of physiological and biochemical research to problems in animal fertility

Abstract

An account is given of the contribution of multidisciplinary fundamental research to the solution of specific practical aspects in animal fertility. Examples are cited highlighting the successes achieved in (i) the synchronization of oestrus and induction of ovulation in the practice of animal breeding, which are the direct outcome of studies on the mechanism controlling the intricate pattern of reproduction in a variety of animal species, (ii) embryo transfer, an important procedure for improving livestock and raising the rate of multiple pregnancy, and (iii) assessment of semen quality, long-term low-temperature storage of spermatozoa for artificial insemination, and the appraisal of male reproductive function, by means of an analytical approach, encompassing scientific data gathered in the course of extensive physiological and biochemical investigations of semen. The considerable scope for further efforts by scientists in assisting the solution of problems concerned with practical aspects of animal fertility is discussed.