About Animal Health Reproduction & Fertility
Equine
The equine breeding industry currently lacks an effective method that can precisely control follicular development and ovulation. Extracts containing pituitary derived LH and FSH have been shown to be effective; however, the lack of a reliable commercial product has prevented wide use. The ability to influence the timing of breeding for mares, improving the success rate of mares bred and increasing the number of eggs produced and harvested for transplant, are all valuable in equine reproduction.
According to an industry report, the U.S. horse industry spends an estimated $1.5 billion annually for breeding of new foals. Yet due to the poor breeding efficiency of mares, billions are lost every year in unattainable potential revenues.
Cattle
Pregnancy is necessary for efficient milk production. Effective reproduction programs increase milk production per cow and profitability of the dairies by having more cows pregnant.
Currently, in the industry approximately 70% of dairy cows fail to conceive or maintain a viable pregnancy after artificial insemination resulting in significant financial and production losses to the dairy. It is estimated that there are approximately 125 million dairy cattle worldwide and 9 million in the U.S.
The livestock industry is highly dependent upon management of reproduction. Veterinary drugs are currently used to manage reproduction; however, there are many unmet needs. AspenBio Animal Health is developing recombinant products to provide management solutions for the livestock (dairy/beef/pig) and equine breeding markets.