Dr.
Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
Artificial Insemination
Artificial Insemination in Dairy Cattle
Artificial insemination, or AI, is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive
tract of a female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual
intercourse.
Artificial insemination (AI) is a process by which sperm are collected from the male, processed,
stored and artificially introduced into the female reproductive tract for the purpose of conception.
AI has become one of the most important techniques ever devised for the genetic improvement
of farm animals. It has been most widely used for breeding dairy cattle and has made bulls of
high genetic merit available to all.
Frozen semen production
Breeding soundness examination of bulls
Management of bulls for optimum semen production
Laboratory techniques for production, processing, freezing and evaluation of bovine semen
Composite courses in frozen semen technology
Semen Station Monitoring System (SSMS)
History of AI
In 1899, Ivanoff of Russia pioneered AI research in birds, horses, cattle and sheep. He was
apparently the first to successfully inseminate cattle artificially. Mass breeding of cows via AI
was first accomplished in Russia, where 19,800 cows were bred in 1931. Denmark was first to
establish an AI cooperative association in 1936. E.J. Perry of New Jersey visited the AI facilities
in Denmark and established the first United States AI cooperative in 1938 at the New Jersey
State College of Agriculture.
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
The AI industry has grown tremendously in the United States since its beginning. In 1970,
USDA reported that 7,344,420 dairy females were bred artificially, 46% of the female dairy
cattle population.
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI
The greatest advantage of AI is that
- it makes possible maximum use of superior sires.
- Exposure of sires to infectious genital diseases is prevented by use of AI which reduces
the danger of spreading such diseases.
- Time required to establish a reliable proof on young bulls is reduced through AI use.
- Other advantages include early detection of infertile bulls, use of old or crippled bulls and
elimination of danger from handling unruly bulls.
There are a few disadvantages of AI which can be overcome through proper management.
Success or failure of AI depends on how well this task is performed. AI requires more labor,
facilities and managerial skill than natural service. Proper implementation of AI requires special
training, skill and practice. Utilization of few sires, as occurs with AI, can reduce the genetic
base. The AI industry and dairy cattle breeders should make every effort to sample as many
young sires as possible.
1. Collection, Extension and Storage of Semen
One obvious factor which determines degree of success of AI is the quality of the semen used.
Much has been learned about factors affecting semen quality and methods of evaluation and
means of maintaining quality through lengthy storage. The commercial AI industry has a
tremendous responsibility to sell only high quality semen. Unquestionably, they are fulfilling this
obligation.
Collection of Semen
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
Several methods of obtaining semen have been developed. The artificial vagina method is most
widely used today for the collection of bull semen. The bull is allowed to mount a teaser cow and
ejaculates when the penis is directed into the artificial vagina. The artificial vagina consists of a
firm cylindrical tube with a thin-walled rubber lining. The jacket formed is filled with warm
water. A rubber funnel connected to a collection receptacle is attached to one end of the cylinder.
When the jacket is properly filled and the artificial vagina lubricated and properly applied, this
method of semen collection is highly successful.
Cleanliness must be practiced to avoid contamination and deterioration of semen quality. Proper
and careful treatment of the bull is essential to bring about adequate precollection stimulation
which will increase quantity and quality of semen obtained.
Obviously the collection of semen from a bull is a specialized skill and should be attempted only
by those with the proper equipment, training and experience. Adequate facilities for controlling
the bull and teaser animal must be maintained so that danger of injury to personnel as well as the
animals is minimized.
Semen Extension
The main reason for extending (diluting) semen is to increase the number of females
serviced from one ejaculation. A normal ejaculate from a dairy bull will contain 5 to 10
billion sperm which can be used to inseminate 300 to 1000 cows if fully extended.
There are several good semen extenders. Those made from egg yolk or pasteurized,
homogenized milk are two of the most widely used. A good extender not only adds volume to
the ejaculate but favors sperm survival and longevity. Dilution rate depends on quality of the
ejaculate--number of sperm cells, percent alive and mobility. As few as 12 million sperm per
insemination have given good conception rates.
Penicillin and streptomycin are added to semen extenders. These antibiotics inhibit bacterial
growth and reduce danger of spreading diseases such as vibriosis.
Semen Storage
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
The discovery that bull semen could be successfully frozen and stored for indefinite periods has
revolutionized AI in cattle. In 1949, British scientists discovered that addition of glycerol to the
semen extender improved resistance of sperm to freezing. Glycerol acts to remove water from
the sperm cell prior to freezing and prevents the formation of cellular ice crystals which would
damage the sperm. There are two methods of freezing and storing semen: dry ice and alcohol (-
100 degrees F) and liquid nitrogen (-320 degrees F). Liquid nitrogen is preferred because there is
no evidence of fertility deterioration with age. Fertility gradually declines in semen stored in dry
ice-alcohol.
Frozen semen can be stored indefinitely if proper temperature is maintained. A recent report told
of a calf born from frozen semen stored for 16 years. Fresh, liquid semen can be successfully
stored for 1 to 4 days at 40 degrees F.
Semen is usually stored in glass ampules. Other methods appear promising, particularly the
French-straw. Several AI organizations have gone to this method exclusively.
Artificial coloring is frequently added to semen extenders in order to distinguish one breed from
another. Complete identification of the bull is required on each individual semen container.
2. Artificial Insemination Techniques
The technique of inseminating a cow is a skill requiring adequate knowledge, experience and
patience. Improper AI techniques can negate all other efforts to obtain conception. Semen must
be deposited within the tract of the cow at the best location and at the best time to obtain
acceptable conception rates.
Early methods of AI involved deposition of the semen in the vagina, as would occur in natural
mating. Those methods are not satisfactory. Fertility is low and greater numbers of sperm are
required. Another method which gained popularity was the "speculum" method. This method is
easily learned, but proper cleaning and sterilizing of the equipment is necessary, making it more
impractical to inseminate than with the rectovaginal technique which is the most widely used AI
method today.
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
In the rectovaginal technique a sterile, disposable catheter containing the thawed semen is
inserted into the vagina and then guided into the cervix by means of a gloved hand in the rectum.
The inseminating catheter is passed through the spiral folds of the cow's cervix into the uterus.
Part of the semen is deposited just inside the uterus and the remainder in the cervix as the
catheter is withdrawn. Expulsion of the semen should be accomplished slowly and deliberately to
avoid excessive sperm losses in the catheter. The body of the uterus is short; therefore, care
should be taken not to penetrate too deeply which might cause physical injury. In animals
previously inseminated, the catheter should not be forced through the cervix since pregnancy is a
possibility. Since research data show little variation in conception rates when semen is placed in
the cervix, uterine body or uterine horns, some people recommend incomplete penetration of the
cervical canal and deposition of semen in the cervix.
The rectovaginal technique is more difficult to learn and practice is essential for acceptable
proficiency but the advantages make this method of insemination more desirable than other
known methods. With practice, the skillful technician soon learns to thread the cervix over the
catheter with ease. If disposable catheters are used and proper sanitation measures are followed,
there is little chance of infection being carried from one cow to another.
3. Timing of Insemination for Maximum Conception
Maximal conception is obtained when cows are inseminated between midestrus and the end of
standing estrus, with good results up to 6 hours after estrus.
A practical recommendation for timing of insemination is given in Table 1.
Success in insemination timing is dependent upon a good heat detection program. In large herds,
this means assigning individual responsibility for heat detection and a continued education
program for labor. A successful heat detection program and subsequent proper timing of
insemination will pay dividends in increasing reproductive efficiency.
Proper timing of insemination.
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
Should be Too late for
Cows showing estrus
Inseminated good results
In morning Same day Next day
Morning of next day After 3 p.m.
In afternoon
or early afternoon next day
Artificial Insemination in Cattle
Artificial insemination in cattle is a technique by which the semen from a bull is artificially
introduced into the vaginal opening of a cow, with the purpose of conception.
Artificial insemination (AI) is a popular, simple and inexpensive treatment of infertility in
animals, in which the sperm from the male is collected and introduced artificially into the
reproductive tract of the female for conception.
This is a remarkable method of breeding quality cattle in the most natural way possible. Artificial
insemination in cattle has taken care of this major obstacle in the path of cattle improvement.
Artificial Insemination Technique
The process of artificial insemination in cattle involves the deposition of semen in the vagina of
the cow, at the most appropriate time for acceptable conception rates. This is the same way
conception is achieved after natural mating. However, this technique has been altered due to its
low conception rates and high requirement of sperms. As a result, another technique called
'rectovaginal technique' is quite popular today. This technique involves the insertion of a
disposable, sterile catheter containing thawed semen into the vagina of the cow. The catheter is
then guided into the spiral folds of the cervix into the uterus, with the help of a gloved hand in
the rectum. Some part of the semen is deposited inside the uterus, while the rest of it is left in the
cervix as the catheter is withdrawn.
Some people recommend deposition of semen in the cervix canal, with no further deposition in
the uterus, of previously inseminated cows. This is because there are chances of pregnancy. This
rectovaginal technique is quite complex and requires patience and practice to achieve successful
insemination. The timing of insemination also plays a crucial role, as there is a time when
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Dr. Quzi Sharmin Akter
GAB
maximum conception can be expected.
Advantages of Artificial Insemination
The advantages of artificial insemination in cattle are as follows:
Quality Sires: During natural breeding, males deposit more than the theoretically required
quantities of semen into the female's reproductive tract for conception. AI method involves
dilution of collected semen so as to create hundreds of doses from one ejaculate. Thus, AI makes
superior sire semen to be available to hundreds of female cows. Artificial insemination in dairy
cattle leads to sires of inheritance for butter fat and milk production. Prior to AI, only few cows
could have the advantage of good bulls.
Decreased Costs and Increased Safety: Bulls are bigger and stronger than cows and generally
quite difficult to handle around the farm. Their aggressive nature can make them potential threats
on the farm. However, AI eliminates the need to have a bull on the farm, as semen can be easily
transported to various geographical areas. They can also be stored for a long period of time,
which means the semen from a male can be used even after a bull's natural reproductive life ends.
Since maintaining males costs quite a bit, AI decreases the overall costs on the farm.
Reduction in Disease Transmission: The transfer of venereal diseases is quite likely to happen
during natural mating. Certain pathogens can be transferred via the semen into the female, during
AI as well, however, the screening done after semen collection prohibits this transfer.
Genetic Selection Improvement: Since one male's semen is more than enough to produce
hundreds of offspring, the best few males can be selected for breeding. This helps maintain the
vigor of the cattle breed. Artificial insemination in beef cattle helps maintain the genetic pool,
thereby obtaining the right strain of beef cattle required for meat production. Bulls of high
genetic merit are available with AI.
Artificial insemination in cattle requires –
Patience, knowledge, experience as well as specialized equipments. Improper ways of carrying
out AI in animal species, such as improper sterilization of equipments, insanitary conditions, etc.
can nullify the efforts taken to obtain conception.
