Recent Advances in Goat Reproductive Biotechnology in Malaysia

Recent advances in reproductive endocrinology and physiology of mammals, molecular biology and genetic engineering have enhanced the expansion of the field of animal reproductive biotechnology. To date, many reproductive techniques have been applied in livestock animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. Nevertheless, the application of such techniques is still limited in goat. This paper aims to give an introduction to goat farming in Malaysia and some background on the Jermasia goat breed developed by us and our team of researchers at the University of Malaya, Malaysia. A review of the recent developments in the field of reproductive biotechnology in goat, including the various assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) employed in goat breeding programs such as collection and handling of gametes, estrus control, cryopreservation and manipulation of gametes and embryos, embryo transfer and transgenesis are presented. Finally, the challenges faced and the future direction of reproductive biotechnology in goat in Malaysia is put forward.