Artificial Insemination in Farm Animals

Artificial insemination (AI) is the manual placement of semen in the reproductive tract of
the female by a method other than natural mating. It is one of a group of technologies commonly
known as “assisted reproduction technologies” (ART), whereby offspring are generated by
facilitating the meeting of gametes (spermatozoa and oocytes). In simple words, AI is the first
generation biotechnological tool used for the improvement of reproductive efficiency as well as
genetics of farm animals. The acceptance of AI technology worldwide provided the impetus for
developing other technologies, such as cryopreservation and sexing of sperm, estrous cycle
regulation, and embryo harvesting, freezing, culture and transfer, and cloning. Currently, AI is
most commonly used breeding strategy in farm animals including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat,
pig, dog and horse.

Objectives: To study the importance of artificial insemination and to study methods of

insemination in farm animals

Advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination

AI in animals was originally developed to control the spread of disease, by avoiding the
transport of animals with potential pathogens to other animal units for mating and by avoiding
physical contact between individuals. The use of semen extenders containing antibiotics also
helped to prevent the transmission of bacterial diseases. The advantages and disadvantages of AI
are as follows:

Advantages:
 AI helps prevents the spread of infectious or contagious diseases, that can be passed on
when animals are in close contact or share the same environment;
 The rate of genetic development and production gain can be increased, by using semen
from males of high genetic merit for superior females;
 It enables breeding between animals in different geographic locations, or at different
times (even after the male´s death)
 Breeding can occur in the event of physical, physiological or behavioural abnormalities
 AI is a powerful tool when linked to other reproductive biotechnologies such as sperm
cryopreservation, sperm sexing;
 AI can be used in conservation of rare breeds or endangered species.

Disadvantages:
 Some males shed virus in semen without clinical signs of disease (“shedders”).
 Some bacterial pathogens are resistant to the antibiotics in semen extenders or can avoid
their effects by forming bio-films
 There has been a decline in fertility in dairy cattle and horses associated with an increase
in AI
 The focus on certain individuals may result in loss of genetic variation.
Artificial insemination in farm cattle and buffaloes

To obtain high conception rate through artificial insemination, the primary requisite is
inseminating cows and buffaloes at appropriate time. In general, it is advised that AI should be
performed from mid to mid to end of the estrus based on the primary sign of estrus (stand to be
mounted). For decades the dairy producers as well as AI technician are following AM-PM rule
demonstrated by George Trimberger in 1940’s, which states that, if a cow is seen in estrus in the
morning should receive AI that evening, and conversely cow seen in estrus in the evening should
receive AI in the next morning with priority. However, under field conditions the thumb rule is if
the cow exhibits the estrus signs late in the night or early morning it should be inseminated in the
morning. If the estrus signs starts in the morning/ afternoon/ evening the cow should be
inseminated the same evening. In addition to get higher conception rate double insemination is
followed particularly in buffaloes. There are two methods of artificial insemination in cattle viz.
vaginal speculum method and recto-vaginal method. The vaginal speculum method is not in
practice now a day and is replaced by easy and quick recto-vaginal method.

Materials required for inseminating cow/buffalo

 Liquid nitrogen container carrying frozen semen straws

 Universal AI gun
 Protective sheath
 Long-hand gloves
 Straw thawing unit
 Clean scissor
 Cotton Figure 1:Vaginal speculum for large animals

A) Artificial insemination gun/syringe, B) Semen straw, C) Thawing unit, D) LN2 Container

Handling of semen straw and thawing procedure

The straw should be removed from cryo-container using a tweezers/ forceps. Shake the
straw to remove excess nitrogen before putting it in the water. Generally the thawing should be
performed at 370C for 30-45 second. After thawing, wipe the straw with cotton/tissue paper to
remove water from the surface. If the air bubble is located in the middle of the straw, it should be
moved to laboratory seal end by gentle shaking. If it is located at laboratory seal side, then it can
be cut with a clean scissor. Place the straw in the gun slided into the protective sheath and sheath
must be secured with the gun tightly using ‘O’ ring. Precaution must be taken to by avoiding the
gap between cut end of semen straw and sheath otherwise the semen may leak into the sheath
itself resulting in AI failure.

Approach for inseminating cow/buffalo

The first and foremost requisite for inseminating a cow is restraining. The cow or buffalo
to be inseminated should be restrained well in AI crate/Travis. Proper restraining of animal is
essential for deposition of semen as well as to avoid damage to the uterus or vagina by AI gun.
Before insemination, remove the dung from rectum using gloved hand by the technique called
back-raking. Clean the perineum and vulval area of the animal to avoid infection carried through
gun. Open the vulval lips and should be insert loaded AI gun the at 30-45o angle to avoid entry in
urethral opening. Locate the external os of the cervix and pass the AI gun by carefully
manipulating cervical rings. Deposit the semen just next to the internal os of the cervix Figure 2.

Figure 2: Schematic diagram of procedure of recto vaginal method of insemination

Artificial insemination in sheep and goat

The purpose of AI in small ruminants is more or less similar as that of large animals. There are
four methods of artificial insemination in Doe and Ewe Viz.

 Intra-vaginal Method,
 Cervical Method,
 Trans-Cervical
 Intrauterine/ Laparoscopic insemination (LAI)

Figure 3: Duck billed vaginal speculum for small animals

Approach for inseminating sheep/goat

In contrast to cows, ewes normally display oestrous behaviour only in the presence of a ram.
Intracervical insemination is best achieved with the hindquarters of the ewe elevated Figure 4.
After cleaning of the perineum, the vagina is opened with a duck-billed speculum, and the cervix
is located. The insemination catheter is then inserted as far as possible into the cervix;
penetration of the cervix is typically 0 to 2 cm. Artificial insemination of goats is generally very
similar to that of sheep; many of the factors affecting pregnancy rates in sheep are also relevant
for goats.

Among the methods mentioned above the intra- vaginal method is the simplest of all where
the semen is deposited just in the anterior vaginal portion without manipulating or locating the
cervix. This method is most suitable for fresh semen but unsuitable to be used for frozen thawed
semen. Intra-vaginal insemination is best suited to use after oestrus detection during the natural
breeding season. The ideal timing of insemination is before ovulation, i.e., 12 to 18 hours after
the onset of estrus.
Cervical method is another quick and easy method, where the cervix is located with the help
of vaginal speculum (Figure3) and semen is deposited in the first cervical ring. In this method
the conception rate with fresh and chilled semen is good as compare to frozen semen. In the third
method i.e. trans-cervical method the cervix is grasped using a pair of forceps to allow an
inseminating instrument to be introduced in the cervical canal.
 Figure 4: Schematic diagram of procedure artificial insemination in sheep/goat

Intrauterine/ Laparoscopic insemination (LAI)

LAI is the more advanced technique in the field of artificial insemination. This technique
is minimally invasive, minor surgical procedure that requires veterinary expertise. This method
utilizes an endoscope, a special telescope fitted with a fiberoptic light which permits the
technician to view the ewe’s reproductive tract. Laparoscopy is performed close to the udder
after administering local anesthetic. The abdomen is insufflated with CO2, the uterus is located
and semen is injected into the uterine lumen of both the horn via a small stab wound (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Intrauterine/ Laparoscopic insemination (LAI) in sheep

 Table 1: Approximate Time of Ovulation

Species Time of Ovulation

Cow/ Buffalo 12 to 14 hours after the end of estrum, (heifer about 3 hours earlier than cow)

Mare 1 to 2 days before the end of estrum

Ewe 12 to 24 hours before the end of estrum

Doe Towards the end of estrum
Sow 30-40 hours after the onset of estrum
Bitch 1-2 days after the onset of true estrum
Queen About 27 hours after coitus

Table2: Optimum time for Service/artificial insemination

Species Time of service/AI

Cow Middle of estrum to the end of the estrum
Buffalo 5 to 8 hrs. before the cessation of heat or 16 to 20 hrs. after onset of heat

Mare 2nd -4th Day of heat

Ewe 18-24 hrs after the onset of heat
Doe 24-36 hrs after the onset of heat
Sow 12-30 hrs after the onset of heat
Bitch 2-3 days after the onset of true heat or 10-14 days after the onset of proestrus
bleeding
Queen During estrus
Exercise
Q1. What do you understand by the word artificial insemination? Explain in your words
Q2. Explain the advantages of AI
Q3. Why AI should be followed at specific time during estrus?
Q4. Describe AM-PM rule of insemination?
Q5. Describe method of insemination in small ruminants?
Q6. Draw neat diagram of female reproductive tract?