Artificial
Insemination
Animal Breeding
Pensacola Jr College
Why use A.I.?
w Domestic animals:
Genetic selection for
desirable traits in many offpring
w Exotic animals:
Allows selection of
appropriate crosses to maintain genetic diversity of the population
Advantages of A.I.
w Increased production by
males
w Saves transport money
(cheaper to fly semen than whole animal)
w Disease control
w Improved record keeping
w Safety to humans &
females
Disadvantages of
A.I.
w Time consuming
w Requires specialized
facilities and equipment
w Requires trained personnel
w Exotics:
Methods at early stages
(thus low success rate)
Selection against natural
characteristics?
Steps of A.I.
w Semen collection
w Semen evaluation
w Semen storage
w Insemination of female
Semen collection
w Need method of obtaining
semen from males:
Manual stimulation
Artificial vagina
electroejaculation
1. Manual
stimulation
w Masturbation, stimulate
genital area of male
w Exotics? Has been done with training, such as
gorillas through cage bars
Manual collection
- boar
Proper Gloves
2. Artificial
Vagina
w Most common method in
domestics
w Just started use in exotics
w Simulate real vagina, keys
are warmth and darkness
w Requires dummy mount or
teaser female or male
A.V. structure
w Collection tube (semen
collection / transfer)
w Rubber funnel (directs penis
into collection tube)
w Latex liner ( contains warm
water layer)
w Hard rubber casing
(protection from sunlight, ease of handling)
Semen Collection -
bull
Semen Collection -
yak
Semen Collection -
ram
Artificial Vagina
- ram
Semen Collection -
stallion
Stallion
artificial vagina
Rhino Training
Modified AV for
rhino (with air pump)
3.
Electroejaculation
w Probe connected to voltage
generator
w Probe inserted into rectum
of anesthetized / sedated male
w Prostate gland area
stimulated for ejaculation
Electroejaculator
structure
w Lubricated rectal probe
(size is species-dependent)
w Electrodes covering rectal
probe
w Current source with variable
voltage for increasing stimuli
w Artificial vagina or other
means of semen collection
EEJ probe
insertion
EEJ voltage
generator
Tiger
Electroejaculation
Semen evaluation
w Motility (subjective)
w Concentration (on
hemocytometer)
w Morphology (on
hemocytometer, 1st hundred sperm)
w Fertility (bioassays such as
penetration of zona-free hamster eggs)
Semen Quality
Analyzer
Motility Exam
Evaluate %
Motility
Hemocytometer view
Abnormal sperm -
boar
Sperm Morphology
Zona-free Hamster
Egg Assay
Semen storage
w Splitting samples
w Provide nutrients
Egg yolk, milk
w Provide buffer
Phosphates, tris
w Provide antibiotics
Pen-Strep combo
Boar semen
extender
Semen storage -
freezing
w Provide antifreeze
Glycerol
DMSO
w Rate of freezing
w Method of freezing
Dry ice vs. liquid nitrogen
Straws vs. pellets
Semen cooling unit
controlled rate
French straws for
freezing
Liquid Nitrogen
Tank
Insemination of
Female
w Proper restraint of female
w Semen thawing methods
Pellets = cold thaw
Straws = warm thaw
w Insemination equipment
Catheter or straw gun
(spirette end for sows)
Syringe & bulb
Straw Tweezers and
Cutter
Water Bath for
warming
Insemination Gun
Methods of
Insemination
w Vaginal insemination
Quick and low expertise
Low success
w Cervical insemination
Speculum & light source
used to enter cervix
Higher conception rate
Methods (contd)
w Cervical fixation
Cervix manipulated by hand
(rectal or direct) to allow insemination syringe to pass through
Highest conception rate
Large species only
w Laparoscopic insemination
Surgical, uterus or oviducts
Only in species where needed
Cervical
Insemination - dog
Cervical Fixation
- yak
Laparoscopic
Insemination
Laparoscopic A.I.
- dog