Artificial insemination has been practiced since the early 14th century when an Arab chief inseminated his mare. The modern technique was developed in the 18th century through experiments breeding dogs. However, widespread use for cattle breeding did not occur until the 20th century. The document goes on to describe the process of collecting, extending, freezing and thawing semen, as well as detecting estrus and performing the artificial insemination using a pipette to deposit semen directly into the uterus. If done correctly, the female should become pregnant and give birth approximately 283 days later.

1. Updated:07/22/15

4. But This…Not
This…

5. •Artificial Insemination is older than everyone in this room’s ages combined. Documents
from around 1322 A.D. state that an Arab chief wanted to mate his mare to a stallion
owned by his rival. So he preformed an amateur version of the artificial insemination
we know today.
•Then in 1780, Spallanzani successfully bred two dogs with the use of A.I. Leading to
him being named the inventor of artificial insemination.
•The mass breeding of cattle however didn’t come until later, in 1931. By an A.I.
Cooperation in Denmark.

6. •Liquid Nitrogen tank
•Long gloves
•Insemination rod
•Paper towels
•Straw cutter
•Sheath
•Semen straw
•Warm water bath
•Thermometer
•Rubbing alcohol
•Clock
•Record books

7. •Genetic improvement of livestock
•Disease control mechanism
•Possible to increase fertility
•Decrease breeding expense

8. Genetic Improvement
Wide spread availability of genetically superior sires
Disease Control
Injured studs available
More valid stud proofs
Reduced danger from studs
Cost - relatively cheap

9. Estrus detection must be good
Handle and care for semen
Record Keeping
Time involved - Restraining and
inseminating cow
Training required to handle semen
and breed cow

10. Semen Collection
•Sexual arousal using
Sight, sound, smell, touch
•Best mount - Live
•Alternative mount -
dummies available for:
Stallions
Bulls

11. Updated:07/22/15
Collection on a Live Mount

12. Electro-ejaculation
•Useful if male won’t or can’t mount
•Get urine often
•Poorer quality ejaculate
•Used in rams and beef bulls
Massage Method
•Stimulate by rectal massage
•Seminal vesicles
•Vas deferens

13. Artificial Vagina
•Temperature
•Bull, stallion, ram at 45°C
•Pressure
•Friction
•Lubrication essential

14. Extenders include:
Nutrients Glucose, fructose
Cold shock prevention Buffer
Milk, skim-milk, egg yolk Citrate, Tris
The buffer component Antibiotics
Inhibit bacterial growth Increase volume
Cryoprotectant glycerol

15. •After collected and extended, semen is
put into a semen straw.
•That straw is placed into a Liquid
Nitrogen Tank.
•Each tank contains a Cane, which
consists of Goblets containing the
semen straws themselves.
•Make sure that the
correct procedure for
freezing semen in a liquid
nitrogen is followed.

16. •Use the procedures recommended by the semen supplier!!!
•35°C water for 30 - 60 seconds
•Ice water for 3 minutes
•Pocket thaw
•Be very careful when removing straw from Nitrogen Tank
Thawing

17. Loading the AI Rod
• Using a straw cutter, the end is cut
off of the straw of semen.

18. Locating the Cervix
• The technician should insert one
hand into the cow’s rectum to
locate the reproductive tract and
cervix.

19. Cleaning the Vulva
• The skin
around the
vagina (the
vulva) should
be cleaned with
paper towels to
avoid
contaminating
the cow when

20. Time of insemination
•Cow - 12 hours after observed in standing heat (AM - PM rule)
•Sheep -12 to 18 hours after first seen in estrus
•Horses -Every second day beginning on day 3 of heat
Insemination Protocol
•Rectal/ Vaginal
•Vaginal
Once you have collected the
semen and detected estrus
of the female, you can begin
to inseminate.

21. Pipette with syringe
Lube
Semen Straw
Gloves (Arms Length)

22. • Begin by restraining
the animal. This will
protect the animal and
the technician during
the procedure.
STEP 1:

23. •The inseminator
places their arm into
the females rectum,
using plenty of
lubrication, and
removes all feces.
This will allow the
inseminator to
palpate for the cervix
more easily.
STEP 2:

24. •Once the inseminator
has located the cervix
they will hold it in their
hand.
•Using their free hand the
inseminator will obtain the
syringe with a plastic
sheath (pipette) already
prepared with a straw of
semen.
STEP 3 &
4:

25. Carefully inserting the
syringe with semen,
being sure not to
contaminate it with feces
or other contaminates,
the inseminator will
insert the syringe into
the females vagina.
They will continue to
pass the syringe until
they can pass it through
to the end of the cervix.
STEP 5:

26. Once the end of the
cervix is reached, the
plunger on the syringe
can be depressed
allowing the semen to
be deposited directly
into the uterus of the
female. The Sperm will
then hopefully reach
and fertilize the egg
resulting in conception,
and eventually a fetus.
STEP 6:

28. If all goes well, the female animal
becomes pregnant and carries the baby
to term. Then once the baby is born it
will be the result of a successful
Artificial Insemination procedure.

29. Conclusion
• After AI is completed, normal
fertilization will take place and a calf
should be born in approximately 283
days.

30. Updated:07/22/15