Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42309744›Full record

ReviewThe Journal of reproduction and development2026

The current status of artificial reproductive technologies in sheep.

Jessica P Rickard, Simon P DE Graaf

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in The Journal of reproduction and development, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Jessica P RickardThe University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia.
Simon P DE GraafThe University of Sydney, Faculty of Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, NSW 2006, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Artificial reproductive technologies (ARTs) are central to genetic improvement strategies in livestock, yet adoption remains inconsistent across species. In sheep, uptake has lagged behind that of cattle due to species‑specific reproductive biology, variable oocyte and embryo competence following use of exogenous hormones, economic feasibility and inconsistent success rates. This review synthesises the principles, methodological development, and contemporary performance of semen collection and cryopreservation, artificial insemination (AI), multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), and in vitro fertilization and embryo production (IVF) in sheep, and integrates insights from a global survey of commercial sheep artificial breeding providers (68% response rate; N = 41) on the current size and scale of the industry. It also collates data on optimisation studies working to improve success rates in these technologies. Survey data reveal marked heterogeneity in semen processing practices, cryopreservation method, extender use, insemination dose preparation, and oestrus synchronisation protocols. Laparoscopic intrauterine AI remains the predominant technique, yielding a global weighted pregnancy rate of 71%, despite substantial site, sire, and operator‑dependent variation. MOET is widely implemented, producing an average of 6-8 transferable embryos per donor, with fresh embryo transfer outperforming frozen-thawed embryos across global regions. In contrast, IVF in sheep continues to face technical and commercial constraints related to oocyte recovery, in vitro maturation, and blastocyst development. Collectively, this review highlights critical opportunities for standardised semen assessment, optimised hormone protocols, advanced predictive analytics, and targeted commercialisation of ovine IVP systems to enhance reproducibility, efficiency, and genetic gain within the global sheep artificial breeding industry.

Indexed as

Reproductive Techniques, AssistedAnimalsBreedingCryopreservationEmbryo TransferFemaleFertilization in VitroInsemination, ArtificialMalePregnancySemen PreservationSheepArtificial inseminationPredictionSemen standardsSmall ruminantsTrends

Identifiers

PMID42309744
PMCPMC13286667

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.