Efficacy of using sex-sorted semen technologies for laparoscopic artificial insemination in a commercial white-tailed deer farm (Odocoileus virginianus)

Abstract

The objective of this project is to describe the efficacy of sex-sorting technologies in producing viable sperm for laparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) in white-tailed deer (WTD). There is an increased demand for implementing advanced reproductive technologies in the WTD industry such as using sex-sorted semen. This could provide producers the ability to select for favorable gender ratios. Flow cytometry is the most effective cell-sorting method and uses DNA differences to sort X and Y chromosome spermatozoa. However, there is limited information available on the efficacy of this technique in cervid species.