1. Colorado Agriscience Curriculum
Unit 4 – Reproduction and Genetics
Lesson 16 – Artificial Insemination 1

2. Semen Collecting and Processing
1. Artificial Vagina – Used to collect semen in bulls, stallions, rams and buck goats.
2. Collection – Semen is actually collected by having the male mount an estrous female or by training them to mount another animal.
For example in cattle, steers are often times used for the bulls to mount.
Semen from boars is not done with an artificial vagina.
It is done by applying pressure to the extended penis with a gloved hand as the animal mounts another animal or object.
3. Electro ejaculator – This is used to collect semen from bulls and rams that are hard to stimulate or don’t have semen collected often. A probe is inserted into the rectum and an electrical shock causes ejaculation.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

3. Semen Collecting and Processing
4. Evaluation – Once collected semen is evaluated for volume, sperm concentration, motility of the sperm, and sperm abnormalities.
5. Processing – Once evaluated, sperm is mixed with extender to decrease the concentration. Only 10 million sperm are needed per straw. Many straws can be made from one ejaculate. The extender is made from nutrient-rich milk or egg yolk, a buffer, antibiotics and glycerol.
6. Storage – Some semen is used fresh; however, it can only be used this way for a couple of days. Most semen is frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored indefinitely. Some species’ semen cannot be stored in liquid nitrogen, though.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

4. Signs of estrus in different species of animals
Signs of estrus in cattle –The best sign of estrus is standing heat. Standing heat is when the female stands still to be ridden by a male or another female. Secondary signs of estrus are restlessness, attempting to mount other cows, and a clear, mucous discharge from the vagina.
Signs of estrus in sheep and goats – Is checked by using sterilized males with marking devices.
Signs of estrus in gilts and sows – Swine in heat assume a rigid stance when hands are placed on their back.
Signs of estrus in mares – Elevation of the tail, frequent urination, and contraction of vulva.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

5. Proper timing of insemination in several different species of animals.
(A.S.Repro.11.T.M.C)
Proper timing of insemination in several different species of animals.
Cows – 12 hours after standing heat.
Goats – hours after the beginning of estrus.
Sows and Gilts – At the end of the first day and beginning of the second day of estrus.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

6. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
(A.S.Repro.11.T.M.D)
In the next slides, try to guess what the pictures are
After you guess what the pictures are, then guess what their importance is.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

7. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
When you are ready for the answer please click
This is important because it can carry most of the equipment needed to A.I. a cow or heifer. It is also a handy way to keep all of your equipment organized and somewhat clean.
A.I. Box
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Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

8. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Paper towels are used to keep things clean
After the semen comes out of the cito thaw, you use paper towels to wipe off the water because water kills semen
You use the paper towels to put over the end of the A.I. Rod so that no dirt gets into the straw of semen
Paper Towels
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

9. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Safety Glasses
Used to protect your eyes when:
you are around the liquid nitrogen
you are thawing the semen because a straw may explode in your eyes
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

10. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Cotton Glove
A cotton glove is used to protect your hand when you get the semen out of the liquid nitrogen refrigerator
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

11. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Cito Cutter
Used to cut the melted end of the straw off
It gives you a square cut so that you can seed the straw more secure into the sheath
When you are ready for the answer please click
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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12. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Tweezers
It is an easier way to get the straws out of the goblets and it also makes it quicker
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

13. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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Shoulder Length Glove
A shoulder length glove is important to keep your hands clean.
Protects the cow from some infection and diseases.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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14. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Lube
Put this on your shoulder length glove to make it easier to insert your hand into the cow or heifers rectum
When you are ready for the answer please click
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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15. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Used to thaw semen
Make sure that the water is between 94 and 98 degrees F
Cito Thaw
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Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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16. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
shows the water temperature inside the cito thaw
The ideal water temperature is 96 degrees F.
You may safely thaw the semen between 94 and 98 degrees F.
Thaw Monitor
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

17. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
This equipment is used to implant the semen into the cow or heifer.
A.I. Rod
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Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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18. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Sheath
Snap the straw of semen into the sheath at this end
Leave the straw sticking out for about 1 inch
The sheath then goes over the A.I. Rod for cleanliness
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

19. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
These straws contain valuable semen.
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Semen Straws
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

20. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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Ampules
Before they started putting semen in straws, semen was packaged in ampules.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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21. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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These are different canes and goblets
(A.S.Repro.11.T.M.S)
This is a ampules cane
A cane and goblet help keep the ampuless and the straw organized.
They also keep the straw from falling into the bottom of the liquid nitrogen refrigerator
There are individual spots for the ampules to go on an ampules cane.
This is a goblet
This is a cane
This is the cane with built in goblets
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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22. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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This is the last thing that you need
The Liquid Nitrogen Refrigerator
This refrigerator contains all of your valuable semen that you need to A.I. your cow or heifer
This bottle also contains liquid nitrogen
Never set the refrigerator directly on a cement floor; always have cardboard or carpet under it because the cement wears away the shell of the tank.
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
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23. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Assessment Slide 1 1 2 3 4
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page

24. Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page
Assessment Slide 2 5 6 7 8
Unit 4, Lesson 16 - Artificial Insemination Part I, Page