Overview of Artificial Insemination (What Has To Be Considered First)

1. Overview of Artificial Insemination (What Has To Be Considered First) Ms. Dixon Animal I

2. Fertility Testing • Important step in evaluating males to be kept for breeding. • Indispensable in the area of artificial insemination since a bull may be worth thousands of dollars & still produce progeny long after his death (because the semen is stored). • The process of evaluating the bull's ability to reproduce.

3. Factors to consider in Testing • Libido (sex drive) - This is especially important in bulls kept for natural breeding since some bulls are more active breeders than others. • Scrotal circumference - This is an observable, measurable characteristic that indicates fertility. • In general, the greater the scrotal circumference, the greater the sperm production, hence increased fertility. • Semen evaluation - This is the most important factor in fertility testing. Semen is evaluated for:

4. Semen Evaluated For Appearance • A uniform solid, dense appearance indicates a high sperm concentration. • A sample which appears to be translucent contains fewer sperm cells. • Semen with a curd appearance should not be used as this indicates inflammation.

5. Semen Evaluated For Volume • May vary depending on the age of the bull. • Younger bulls produce a smaller volume of semen which is not a negative factor as long as the concentration of semen is good.

6. Motility • It must be evaluated under a microscope at 400X. • Most semen should contain 70 percent or more motile cells

7. Concentration • Determined by the number of sperm per milliliter of semen. • This is probably the most important indicator of fertility, except with bulls, in which scrotal circumference is the determinant.

8. Morphology • The proportion of abnormal sperm should not exceed 20 percent. • Most males do, however, produce some abnormal sperm.

9. Semen Collection Methods: Artificial Vagina • Consists of an outer tube or casing which is constructed of heavy rubber or plastic, and an inner tube or lining of thin rubber. • The space between the two tubes is filled with warm water, which maintains the collected sperm at a constant temperature, neither too hot or too cold.

10. Semen Collection Methods: Artificial Vagina • One end of the apparatus is open to allow the entrance of the penis and the other end is attached to a glass tube or beaker to receive the ejaculated semen. • This is the most commonly used device for collecting semen.

11. Semen Collection Methods: Electric Stimulation • An electro-ejaculator apparatuses introduces a weak alternating current to the sacral and pelvic nerves via electrodes placed in the rectum until erection and ejaculation occur.

12. Semen Collection Methods: Electric Stimulation • It is used on all farm animals except boars and horses. • It is used effectively on bulls that cannot mount due to leg injuries.

13. Semen Preparation: Storage & Shipment • It may be kept at room temperature if it is to be used within two hours of collection. • If the semen will be put into long-term storage, semen needs to be gradually cooled and frozen a temperature below zero.

14. Semen Preparation: Semen Extenders • Why Added? • Add extra needed Volume • Exert beneficial effect on the sperm

15. Semen Preparation: Semen Extenders • 1. Egg yolk – phosphate: used in bull, ram, and stallion semen • 2. Egg yolk – citrate: used in bull and ram semen • 3. Homogenized whole milk: used in bull, ram, and boar semen

16. Semen Preparation: Semen Extenders cont. • 4. Glycine-containing diluents: used mostly in boar semen. • Some extenders contain antibiotics to control bacteria and contamination.

17. Definition • The deposition of sperm in the female genitalia by artificial means.

18. History • It may have been used as far back as 1322, at which time an Arab chieftain used artificial methods to impregnate a prized mare. • The first scientific research relative to A.I. in domestic animals was conducted with dogs by the Italian physiologist Lazarro Spallanzani.

19. History • It was first used commercially in cattle in the U.S. in 1938. • Currently A.I. is most widely practiced with dairy and beef animals.

20. Equipment Needed For A.I. • 1. Liquid nitrogen tank • Used to store semen straws at -320 degrees Fahrenheit • Semen stored in tank, may last indefinitely once froze properly & temperature is maintained

21. Equipment Needed For A.I. cont. • 2. A semen straw • containing a single dose of semen • 3. Straw tweezers • Used to pick up the semen when in the tank & thawing unit

22. Equipment Needed cont. • Semen Thawing Unit • Used for thawing the frozen semen before insemination • Contains water • Thermometer • To measure the temperature that is in the thawing unit • Temperature should be between 95 – 98 degrees Fahrenheit

23. Equipment Needed cont. • Inseminating syringe or gun • Made from stainless steel • Used to place semen in the reproductive tract of the cow or heifer and to maneuver it through the cervix • Sterile Lubricant (Lube) • Lubrication put on plastic sleeve in order to first enter the vulva

24. Equipment Needed cont. • Paper Towels • To dry off the semen straw • To wipe animal clean, especially the vulva • To put on top of the vulva to keep clean • Scissors • To cut the end of the straw just prior to insemination

25. Equipment Needed cont. • Plastic Sleeve • To put on inseminator’s arm to keep clean • Cover Sheath • Inseminator’s gun is put inside of the sheath so that all is kept clean

26. Equipment Needed cont. • KaMar heat strips: heating aid with red dye that expels when a cow or heifer is mounted • Tail Chalk: chalk paint is smeared when cow or heifer is mounted