Use of Real-Time Video to Determine Bovine Embryo Sex

Livestock producers face growing pressure to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and in meat and milk production. One major challenge is the inability to predict the sex of a calf before it is born. Current tools for sex selection--such as sperm sorting, embryo biopsy, or genetic engineering--are often expensive, invasive, and not widely adopted due to their complexity or limited accuracy. This proposal seeks support for EmGenisys to develop the world's first non-invasive, real-time tool that uses artificial intelligence and machine learningto predict the sex of a bovine embryo based on a simple 30-second video recorded on a smartphone mounted to a microscope. This low-cost technology would allow beef and dairy producers to make smarter breeding decisions earlier in the production cycle, resulting in more targeted outcomes--like producing more heifers for milk or more bulls for beef--without altering or harming the embryo.To build this tool, EmGenisys will collect thousands of embryo videos in both laboratory and real-world settings. These videos will be paired with known sex outcomes, then used to train and test a computer model that can recognize subtle biological differences between male and female embryos. Once the model is accurate and reliable, it will be integrated into EmGenisys' existing online platform, which veterinarians and embryo transfer technicians already use to assess embryo health. By simply uploading a video, users will receive a prediction of an embryo's sex within seconds--no lab work, no invasive procedures. This research combines agriculture and cutting-edge technology to help producers make more informed decisions, reduce unnecessary costs, and optimize herd performance. The broader impact of this work includes increased food system efficiency, reduced waste in livestock production, and improved economic outcomes for beef and dairy producers, particularly in rural communities. This tool will make advanced reproductive technologies more accessible, practical, and profitable for livestock operations of all sizes.