Artificial Insemination

1. Artificial Insemination

2. History of Artificial Insemination • 1322- Arab Chief stole semen from an arabian stallion belonging to another chief to breed his prized mare • 1780- Successful AI of Dogs • 1900’s – Livestock • Became popular in cattle 1960’s & 70’s • Sucessful in Cattle, Sheep, Goats, Swine, Horses, Dogs, Cats, Poultry, Lab Animals, Humans, and Insects.

3. Advantages of Using AI • Maximize use of outstanding sires. Thus, enhancing the genetic value of the herd. • Providing access to high quality sires at modest prices. Also, avoid price of ownership. • Improve herd by selecting the best sire match for female. • Records and genetic traits available • Prevention of disease transmission(std’s)

4. Advantages Continued • Shortening of the birthing season • Improved merchandising through the use of well publicized sires with known reputations. • Increased safety – no aggressive males on farm (bull, stallion) • “Life Insurance” for the sire, will still have offspring after he is deceased.

5. Disadvantages of Using AI • Requires skilled technician. • More labor intensive, females must be watched to detect estrus. • Must have special handling facilities. • Training sires for collection • Accentuates poor traits if a poor sire is selected • May increase the spread of disease

6. Process of Artificial Insemination • Semen Collection • Two methods • Artificial vaginas • electroejaculation • Semen Processing, Storage and Handling • Insemination

7. Semen Collection • Male is trained to mount a teaser animal or dummy • Penis is directed into an artificial vagina that is temperature controlled to be the same temperature as the female. • Ejaculation occurs

8. Frequency of collection • Bulls • Twice a day – 2 days/week- frozen semen • Three times a week otherwise • Sheep • Many times a day for several weeks • Boars and Stallions • Every other day • If everyday is required for short period, let rest for 2-3 days between intensive collection.

9. Semen Processing • Dillution • Can be diluted so that more animals can be bred with one ejaculate • Freezing • Use liquid nitrogen at -320°F • Storage • Put into ampules or plastic straws. • Liquid nitrogen tanks • Horse and swine semen is generally not frozen

10. Insemination • Estrus detection in female • Timing is important – sperm need to be injected into oviduct at ovulation • Semen is thawed and placed in inseminating device. • Technician inserts speculum into female reproductive tract into cervix • Inseminating tube is inserted and sperm is deposited.

11. Technician is well trained to avoid damaging the reproductive tract of females. • Cleanliness and sterilization are very important to reduce disease transmission.

12. Procedures • Cattle • Rectovaginal technique -Straw inseminating gun or pipet • Sheep • Speculum – straw inseminating gun or pipet • Laparoscopic insemination (most common) • Semen is deposited directly into the uterine horns by way of surgical procedure. • Swine • Cork screw pipet • pipet is hooked to bottle containing semen • Horse • Vaginal method • Straw inseminating gun or pipet