Use of Digital PCR in Genetic Analysis and Manufacturing Process Control of Dairy Cow Production

We have developed an industrial QC method employing digital quantitative PCR.  It provides quality control for a novel biomarker-based manufacturing process that is used to create gender biased highly fertile sperm. Biomarker-based processing, applied to production of frozen doses of elite dairy bull semen, increases female calvings on dairy farms by 13-21% and is the first method applicable to all dairy cows (and bulls) at good fertility.  Biomarker-based processing can also be used to augment fertility.  To confirm the gender bias resulting from biomarker-based processing, sperm cells are analyzed during QC with a digital qPCR method employing probes and primers directed to sex chromosome identification.  It is possible to both discriminate effective processing for industrial applications and to accelerate R&D with this new qPCR tool.