Artificial Insemination (A.I.)

10.11 ARTIFICIAL Insemination (A.I.)

Artificial insemination includes the process of collecting semen from the male and, at the correct time, depositing this semen into the female's reproductive tract. If done correctly and at the proper time, the sperm from the male and the egg from the female join to create a baby.

Semen Collection: Semen contains many sperm and fluids from various glands. Semen collection must be done in a way that keeps the sperm alive and healthy. The first step is to collect the semen from the male. Usually the male is put with a female animal that is in heat. Then when he mounts, his penis is directed into a container that is shaped like a vagina (called an artificial vagina). His semen then goes into a small bottle connected to the end of the “artificial vagina.” The semen is put into a special solution to keep the sperm alive and healthy and to dilute the semen (since the semen from one collection contains enough sperm for many females).

Semen Storage: The diluted semen can be used immediately; or it can be frozen and stored for many years in a tank containing a special freezing chemical called “liquid nitrogen.” A special machine is necessary to make liquid nitrogen. The tank must be checked routinely and more liquid nitrogen added regularly since the chemical evaporates whenever the tank is opened. If not checked regularly, the liquid nitrogen may evaporate completely causing the sperm to die.

Breeding the Female: When it is time to breed the female animal, the stored semen must be carefully warmed up; and then put into a long, skinny pipe (called a pipette). The pipette containing semen is inserted into the vagina of the female; and on into the cervix. When the tip of the pipette is just through the cervix, the semen is pushed out of the pipette (like giving an injection with a long needle). The sperm move through the uterus and into the oviduct where they may join with an egg.

Time of Breeding: The female must be inseminated near the time of ovulation (i.e. when the egg is released from the ovary). This is different for each species, but generally occurs near the end of the heat period. For instance, it is best to breed cows about 8-12 hours after heat.

One common problem is that some farmers do not recognize signs of heat, making it impossible to correctly time the artificial insemination. Or the animal may already be bred by a male animal (instead of by artificial insemination).

Successful artificial insemination requires that farmers recognize signs of heat. For “heat detection,” See page 133 and 164.

Advantages of A.I.:

 Fewer male animals are required. The semen collected at one time from a male can be diluted and used on several female animals.

 It may save money because an individual farmer does not need to keep, and feed, a male animal to serve just a few female animals.

 Semen can be brought from far away without having to bring in live animals. This may be important in remote places where transport is difficult. It will also prevent the possibility of bringing in new diseases carried by live animals.

 Through the use of AI, one can prevent the transmission of many venereal diseases.

 One can start a cross-breeding program without importing breeding stock which are often not adapted to the local conditions and become sick.

Disadvantages of A.I.:

 Owners must properly recognize the signs of heat in the female animal, or expensive semen may be wasted by using it at the wrong time.

 Special equipment and materials are required on a regular basis. Specifically, liquid nitrogen must be available or the semen will become warm and the sperm will die. This is a big problem in many developing countries.

 A trained AI technician must be available to put the pipette of semen into the animal.

 Efficient communication systems and transport are often needed to get the female animal bred at the right time. This is difficult in remote areas where most messages and supplies are carried by people who walk from one place to another.