1. Reproduction in Sheep--AI techniques
By Jennifer A. Hatcher DVM
Rock-N-Country Veterinary Services
College Grove, TN 37046

2. About Us Three vet practice set in Williamson County
Truly a mixed animal practice with clients in all of TN
Have been using ultrasound for reproduction in small ruminants since now expanding to small ruminant ex lap AI in summer 2018

3. About Myself Started showing sheep at age 9
Began raising sheep over 20 years ago
Currently raise Hampshire/Suffolk crosses
Raised in a veterinary clinic and graduated from UTCVM 2005
Love working with small ruminants

6. Estrous cycle
Anestrus--period of time in which ewe is not cycling (during the summer
Estrous--the period of time in which a ewe is “cycling” and will display ESTRUS or heat consistently
Estrus--the regular recurrent state of sexual excitability or “ heat” in which is accepting of a male for breeding

7. Basic Sheep Repro
Sheep are polyestrous--have more than one cycle during a specific time of year
Typical estrous cycle is days
Short day breeders--photo period is important
Geographic location can effect the season
Fine wool breeds/Some white faced sheep i.e Dorsets have a short anestrus than other breeds

8. Estrus Cycle
The true HEAT or estrus time in a sheep will range from hours ( time in which will allow to be bred) the average time is 30 hours
Optimal time for breeding during this time period is hours after onset of heat signs
**Teaser ram, presence of ram or hormone induced wether for heat detection

10. Ewe Lambs
Ewe lambs can be bred however recommended at 7-8 months of age and at least 70% of mature body weight
****Behavioral maturity
Flushing Ewes--what is current BCS

11. Rams Do not forget that the ram is 50% of your herd
Confirmation is important
Genetics is important
Disposition is important
BSE prior to season of breeding, take care of your RAMS!!

12. Estrus induction on the Acyclic Ewe
CIDRs, feed MGA --need Progesterone for minimum of 5 days (typical is 7 days) and CIDR most common progesterone used
Need ecG when remove CIDR typical dose is 500IU
There are so many different protocols, hormones (PMSG or PG 600) used--need to keep in mind that every breed is different and geographic location can effect
TRIAL and ERROR

17. Cycling Ewes--Fall
Progesterone implant needs to outlast the CL--Place CIDR for days
***Using ecG or PMSG is not necessary during the cycling period
***This is optimum for getting ewes to cycle together for a more uniform lamb crop--not for timed AI
***Can use when remove CIDR but not needed
2) Estrus is typically seen 1-3 days after CIDR removal

18. Cycling Ewes--Fall The NON CIDR approach
Give cycling ewes injection of day 1
Second dose of to be given at day 8-11 days
***Estrus is typically seen 1-3 days after second dose of
***Fertility may be lower than your than the progesterone (CIDR) programs

19. Estrous Synchronization with Vaginal Sponges, CIDR or Synchromate-B (SMB) Traditional Method
Day 1 Insert CIDR for 12 days. (Use clean technique!)
Day 3 Inject Prostaglandin (Lutalyse 3cc or Estrumate .6cc).
Day 12 CIDR and inject PMSG (400 i.u.) or PG-600 (400 i.u. PMSG i.u. HCG).
Day 13 Introduce teaser ram to better synchronize ewes and to mark ewes as they come into heat.
Day 14 Inseminate ewes hours after CIDR removal, (51 hrs for CIDR, 52 hrs for SMB or sponge) or hrs after ewe is marked by teaser ram.
Day 24 Reintroduce teaser ram and then inseminate hrs after ewe is marked or introduce fertile ram, (1 ram to 5 ewes).

20. Sheep AI

22. AI steps Food and water should be withheal from ewe for ~12 hrs
Ewes are sedated with xylazine however some are tolerable with just acepromazine, once sedate place them in cradle
Cradle is raised to bring the posterior end of the to tolt at 45 degree angle
Local anesthetic is injected SQ at two sites (4cm on each side of ventral midline and 6cm cranial to udder)

23. AI Steps
5)Place trocars and cannulae in the abdomen at each site prepped
6)Filled abdomen with Carbon Dioxide to distend abdomen
7)Place the laparoscope into the cannulae and ID the uterus
8)Place pipette with semen into the second site
9)Inject into the uterus in each horn

26. Pros and Cons of Lap AI Pros: Cons:
The genetic potential in less time that with natural breedings
Less chance of sexually transmitted diseases
Can be more selective with your genetics
NO RAM!!!
Cons:
Expense of procedure, medications
Labor intensive
Anesthetic risk
Infection

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29. Jennifer A. Hatcher DVM College Grove TN 37046
Rockncountryvet.com
Jennifer A. Hatcher DVM
College Grove TN 37046