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 Freezing Storage Liquid nitrogen tanks
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 Sheep Swine Horse
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