Animal Breeding Techniques and

Technologies

Artificial Insemination

(AI)

• What is AI?

– Collecting semen from a male and artificially placing it directly into the uterus horn of a female

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Teaser

Electro ejaculator Dummy

• Why use AI?

– To make widespread use of males with

high genetic merit

– Cost beneficial

• E.g. stud ram cost $6000/100 ewes = $60 per head mated

total AI cost $3000/100 ewes = $30 per head mated

– National access to superior males

• Disadvantages

– Time consuming, requires planning

– Technical expertise, errors can be costly

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Laparoscopic Technique

– Place semen directly into uterus horn through the abdominal cavity

• Cervical Technique

– Place semen in uterus horn directly through the cervix

AI Methods

The sire (male) will influence rate of genetic gain more strongly than the

dam (female)

•Sires (semen)

– High genetic merit

– Semen quality and quantity

•Dams

– Genetic merit, mothering traits

– Body condition

Selecting Sires and Dams

Starting AI Programme• Animals selected for AI should be in good health, body

condition score ideally 3 - 3.5

• Day 1: A CIDR containing progesterone is inserted intravaginally. This suppresses oestrus and ovulation in the ewe.

• Day 13: CIDR is removed. Ewe is injected with PMSG which stimulates ovarian follicle development (oestrus)

• 48-52 hours later: AI surgery

CIDR: controlled internal drug release

PMSG: pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin

• Animals are fasted for 12-24 hours

• Animal is prepared for surgery: sedated, put in cradle, wool clipped, site sterilized, local anesthetic

• Semen straw is brought to body temperature

• Abdomen is punctured with trocar, CO2 is pumped

into the cavity to make the area more accessible.

• A laparoscope (light source) is inserted down the trocar cannula

• On opposite side forceps are inserted to hold the uterus horn

• Semen straw is inserted through the abdomen, and semen is injected into the uterus horn

• Topical antibiotic powder applied.

AI Technique

AI End Result