식량 생산량은 지난 반세기 동안 세 배로 증가했다. 세계의 인구는 30억에서 70억으로 증가했고, 기대수명은 46세에서 65세로 증가했다. 전 세계 가축 생산량이 56% 증가한 것은 가축 개량 덕분이다. 2050년에 세계 인구는 98억 명으로 추정되므로, 생산량은 현재 두 배 이상 증가해야 한다. 경제 동물의 수가 증가하고 생산자의 수가 감소함에 따라, 생산자는 농장을 관리하고 통제해야 할 동물이 더 많아졌다. 농장의 사육밀도가 높으면 개체 간 질병 발생과 성장 능력 저하를 가속화할 수 있으며, 이는 제품의 질을 해칠 뿐만 아니라 동물 복지에 대한 심각한 우려를 불러일으킬 수 있다. 1980년대 후반에 기술을 통해 토양 사용을 극대화하는 동시에 환경 영향을 줄이기 위해 작물 시스템에 정밀 농업(PA)이 도입되었다. 이해해야 할 중요한 것은 PA가 효율성을 극대화하고 환경 피해를 최소화한다는 목표와 함께 동물 산업과 같은 모든 농업 생산 시스템에 적용된다는 것이다. 동물 산업에서 PA의 예로는 생산과 동물 관리의 효율성을 향상시키고, 동물 복지 및 건강에 대한 우려를 해결하며, 환경 손상과 자원 사용을 최소화하는 데 전념하는 정밀 축산 농업이 있다. 특히 널리 보급된 것은 이미지 분석, 동물 실시간 모니터링, 센서, 이미지 및 기록으로부터의 데이터 수집과 같은 고급 기술의 사용이다. 본 연구의 목적은 농장의 생산성과 관리를 향상시키면서, 동물 육종 시스템에 적용가능한 신기술을 살펴보는 것이다.

The ability to determine the sex of bovine embryos before the transfer is advantageous in livestock management, especially in dairy production, where female calves are preferred in milk industry. The milk production of female and male cattle benefits both the dairy and beef industries. Pre-implantation sexing of embryos also helps with embryo transfer success. There are two approaches for sexing bovine embryos in farm animals: invasive and non-invasive. A non-invasive method of embryo sexing retains the embryo’s autonomy and, as a result, is less likely to impair the embryo’s ability to move and implant successfully. There are lists of non-invasive embryo sexing such as; Detection of H-Y antigens, X-linked enzymes, and sexing based on embryo cleavage and development. Since it protects the embryo’s autonomy, the non-invasive procedure is considered to be the safest. Invasive methods affect an embryo’s integrity and are likely to damage the embryo’s chances of successful transformation. There are different types of invasive methods such as polymerase chain reaction, detection of male chromatin Y chromosomespecific DNA probes, Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), cytological karyotyping, and immunofluorescence (FISH). The PCR approach is highly sensitive, precise, and effective as compared to invasive methods of farm animal embryonic sexing. Invasive procedures, such as cytological karyotyping, have high accuracy but are impractical in the field due to embryonic effectiveness concerns. This technology can be applicable especially in the dairy and beef industry by producing female and male animals respectively. Enhancing selection accuracy and decreasing the multiple ovulation embryo transfer costs.

Animal genomics and breeding center works for development of livestock industry through development of breeding technologies based on genomes. Through analysis technology of genomic information with commercialization of DNA chip and development of NGS technique at present, we can select and improve superior breeding stock. DNA chip technique using microarray can analyze millions of SNP genotypes in a short period and we are studying these techniques to make a tool for genomic selection. In the United States, they made a guideline for genomic selection in dairy cattle and this guideline is utilized. In addition Semex company and CRV center use genomic selection for Holstein dairy cattle. Semex says genomic selection reduce two years compared to the existing selection, cost will be shortened 50% and improving speed will be more than 30% accelerated. In Australia, the case of using genomic information has more 10% accuracy than the case of using parent's breeding value without phenotype information. Recently development of NGS technology leads to reduction of analysis costs, increase in analysis data quantity and shorten time of analysis genome. NGS technology is innovative tool in life science. With development of NGS technology, we can expect to increase the efficiency of genomic analysis. Development of NGS technology leads us to expand whole genome study from limited gene study. Human and rodential genome is researched over the past five years, but only recently lots of livestock's genomes like cattle and pig are researched. Also for domestic, studies on livestock genome and genomic information are accomplished but we have a poor infrastructure of genomic analysis. Thus, through the application technology using SNP chip data and NGS, new breeding technology is very important for prior occupation. Animal genomics and breeding center has four strategies and these are divided by application technology. 1. Development of animal breeding and statistical genetics based on genomic information. 2. Development of genomic analysis and application technology through analysis of genetic diversity and structure. 3. Registration of traditional breeds and securing intellectual property rights based on the genome of the unique genetic resources. 4. Development of technologies for improvement of disease resistance and economic traits.