This dissertation investigated bull fertility in Brown Swiss cattle. Chapter One offers an overview and an outline for the contents of the dissertation. Chapter Two provides a literature review on topics such as the importance of reproduction performance in dairy cattle, the importance of dairy bull fertility, and different genetic analyses. Chapter Three focuses on the evaluation of dairy bull fertility using confirmed pregnancy records. The analysis included both factors related to the bull under evaluation and factors associated with the cow that receives the unit of semen. The results showed that there is a substantial variation in conception rate among bulls, and the prediction of service sire fertility is feasible. These findings represent the foundation for the development of novel tools that will allow the dairy industry to make enhanced management and selection decisions on Brown Swiss male fertility. Chapter Four focuses on understanding the genetic basis of male fertility in Italian Brown Swiss dairy cattle. The analyses included whole-genome scans and gene-set analyses to identify genomic regions, individual genes, and genetic mechanisms affecting Brown Swiss bull fertility. These analyses identified genomic regions, individual genes, and gene-set related to male fertility. Additionally, the results showed genomic regions with marked non-additive effects associated with bull fertility. This comprehensive study contributes to a better understanding of the genetic basis of male fertility in cattle. Chapter Five aims to assess the feasibility of predicting male fertility in Brown Swiss cattle using genomic data under different scenarios, including within-country, across-country, and incorporating markers with large effect. The analyses included the use of linear kernel-based regression models fitting all SNPs or incorporating markers with large effect, using five-fold cross-validation. The findings showed that the prediction of service sire fertility using genomic data achieves moderate to high accuracy and the inclusion of markers with large effect is a promising alternative to the standard approach. However, the use of an across-country reference population did not outperform the standard within-country approach. Genomic predictions of service sire fertility can help Brown Swiss breeders make accurate genome-guided selection and management decisions. Chapter Six evaluates the presence of homozygosity in Italian Brown Swiss dairy cattle and assesses its association with bull fertility. The findings showed that inbreeding and increased homozygosity have a negative impact on male fertility in Italian Brown Swiss cattle. The quantification of homozygosity can contribute to minimizing the inbreeding rate and avoid its negative effect on fitness-related traits, such as male fertility. Lastly, a final Chapter is provided with some concluding remarks.

Bovine Reproduction is a comprehensive, current reference providing information on all aspects of reproduction in the bull and cow. Offering fundamental knowledge on evaluating and restoring fertility in the bovine patient, the book also places information in the context of herd health where appropriate for a truly global view of bovine theriogenology. Printed in full color throughout, the book includes 83 chapters and more than 550 images, making it the most exhaustive reference available on this topic. Each section covers anatomy and physiology, breeding management, and reproductive surgery, as well as obstetrics and pregnancy wastage in the cow. Bovine Reproduction is a welcome resource for bovine practitioners, theriogenologists, and animal scientists, as well as veterinary students and residents with an interest in the cow.

Mason's World Encyclopedia of Livestock Breeds and Breeding describes breeds of livestock worldwide as well as a range of breed-related subjects such as husbandry, health and behaviour. This definitive and prestigious reference work presents easily accessible information on domestication (including wild ancestors and related species), genetics and breeding, livestock produce and markets, as well as breed conservation and the cultural and social aspects of livestock farming. Written by renowned livestock authorities, these volumes draw on the authors' lifelong interest and involvement in livestock breeds of the world, presenting a unique, comprehensive and fully cross-referenced guide to cattle, buffalo, horses, pigs, sheep, asses, goats, camelids, yak and other domesticants.

This publication provides an update on the current status of gene maps in different livestock and pet/companion animal species. The findings summarized in species specific commentaries and original articles testify the rapid advances made in the field of animal genomics. Of significant interest is the fact that current investigations are providing headways for two important and exciting research fronts: targeted high-resolution mapping leading to the application of genomic information in addressing questions of economic and biological significance in animals, and the initiation of whole genome sequencing projects for some of the animal species. Like in humans and mice, this will set the stage for a new level of research and real time complex analysis of the genomes of these species. Animal Genomics signifies the beginning of a new era in this field and celebrates the achievements of the past 20 years of genomics research. It will be of special interest to researchers involved in genome analysis - both gross chromosomal as well as molecular - in various animal species, and to comparative and evolutionary geneticists.

In this issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, guest editors Drs. Lee Jones and Joseph C. Dalton bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Management of Bulls. Top experts in the field offer current discussions of assessing the reproductive potential of bulls, diagnosing disease or causes of infertility, and determining appropriate course of treatment or prognosis for recovery of injured bulls. This issue also provides up-to-date information regarding the contribution of sires to success or failure of reproductive programs in beef and dairy herds, and foundational material for success with AI (semen storage, handling, and site of deposition). Contains 13 relevant, practice-oriented topics including semen quality and field fertility (beef and dairy); physical evaluation of the breeding bull; nutrition and development; medical and surgical management of conditions of the penis and prepuce; management of lameness in breeding bulls; genomics and bull fertility; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on management of bulls, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

Bateson named the science "genetics" in 1905-1906. This is the first textbook in English on the subject of genetics.