Artificial insemination involves collecting semen from male animals and depositing it into the reproductive tract of females. It was first developed in the early 20th century and allows for widespread genetic improvement by using semen from superior males. Key advantages include extensive use of high quality sires, facilitating progeny testing, and upgrading livestock genetics across large areas. However, it also requires trained operators and infrastructure, carries disease risks if not done properly, and may not be practical in all locations.

1. Artificial insemination
K.Lalrintluanga

2. Definition:
Artificial Insemination is the process by which
the exteriorly collected semen is deposited inside the
reproductive tract of the estrus female by means of
instrument.
The semen for A.I. is collected from the male by
artificial means exteriorly, evaluating it for quality,
extended in suitable extender and preserved in a
suitable temperature.

3. History
In 1667, Anton Van Leeuwenhoek and his pupil
John Hamm, discovered spermatozoa
Italian physiologist Lazzaro Spallanzani in 1780.
Ivanov established the first A.I. center at Askaniya
Nova in 1912.
Ivanov was the first to undertake successfully the
A.I. of cattle and sheep.
In India the first use of A.I. was done by Sampat
Kumaran in 1939 at “Palace Dairy Farm, Mysore”.
In 1942 a pilot project was taken at I.V.R.I. Izatnagar
(Bareily) in U.P. to study the feasibility of A.I. method
under the guidance of Dr.P.Battacharya with the team
consisting of Dr.S.S.Prabhu, Dr.D.P.Mukherjee,
Dr.S.N.Luktuke, Dr.A.Roy and Dr.Garjan Singh.

4. During 1942-1947 five regional centres were opened by Govt.of
India at Montgomery(now in Pakistan), Izatnagar, Patna, Calcutta and
Bangalore to study the problems in diverse condition.
Master project during the 1st five year plan known as Key Village
Scheme. The projection of the scheme was to bring rapid genetic
improvement for increasing milk production of the cattle population.
The salient feature of the scheme was as follows:
1. Best use of superior germplasm obtained from superior stock and its
proper distribution throughout the country.
2. Elimination of scrub bull in the project area by education and
legislation.
3. Growing good quality feed and fodder so that the cross bred animals
can translate in action the potentialities they inherit.
4. Prophylactic measures against infectious and contagious diseases.
5. Organization of co-operative for cattle owners for profitable
marketing of cattle and dairy products.
6. The livestock owners must have confidence on the scheme and
understand that the programme is for the benefit of his
community.

5. Intensive Cattle Development Project (ICDP): for rapid increase in milk
production cross breeding programme through frozen semen of
exotic bull was introduced in this scheme since 1961.
Ist A.V. devised by G.Amantea, Professor of Human Physiology at
the University of Rome in 1914.
A.V.in bull developed in Russia by Komorov and Nagev in 1933
Electro-ejaculator was first designed by Lapland and Cassou (1948).
Walton and Prawockeuski(1936) were the pioneer to transfer semen in a
thermoflask containing ice from England to Poland.
Rectovaginal or cervical fixation method of A.I. for cow was developed
by Danish Veterinarians in 1937.
Lardy and Philips developed Egg Yolk Phosphate Extender in 1939.

6. Rostand (1946) freezed Frog semen + glycerol at –4o to –
6oC
C.Polge, Smith and Parkes frozen the semen to
temperature of -790 C by means of dry ice. They
found the cryoprotectant property of glycerol.
In 1951, Stewart reported the birth of first calf from
insemination with frozen semen.
Polge and Rowson (1952) equilibrated with glycerol
diluter for several hours before freezing.
In December 1954, the Waterloo Cattle Breeding
Association of Waterloo, Ontario, became the first
breeding organization in the world to operate a 100
% frozen semen programme.
In 1799, Hunter induced pregnancy in woman by A.I.
method.

7. Advantages of A.I.
1. Extensive use of superior sires.: possible to sire for a bull
20,000 - 200,000 or more progeny in its lifetime, for a
boar over 1,000 litters per year, which can never be
achieved in natural breeding.
2. Facilitates progeny testing of sires.
3. As the small and marginal livestock farmers do not need to
keep a genetically inferior bull for breeding purpose, so it
save labour, time and money. This saving can be utilized
for effective detection of estrus or purchase of new cow.
4. Reduces the risk of spreading sexually transmitted diseases.
5. The farmers can get their cows inseminated in his own farm
so there is a saving of time, labour and money. It protects
the cows from accidental breeding and exposure to
infection. Accidental injuries of male or female during
transport is also avoided.

8. 6. Preserved the semen by refrigeration or cryopreservation for
longer duration. Even after the dead of the male his
semen can be utilized for insemination to many estrus
females.
7. More number of females coming in heat on one or same day or
successive day can be served by this method.
8. During A.I. the cows are examined per rectum carefully this
allow close monitoring of the reproductive health of the
cow and take remedial measures accordingly. The
females who do not conceive are also detected early and
this reduces economic loss.
9. Easy transportation of the preserved semen to nook and corner
of the country for upgrading livestock.
10. A.I. is possible where natural service can not be done .
11. Rigid control can be exercised on semen quality through
evaluation of semen.
12. The bulls which have normal libido but cannot copulate due to
physical difficulties can be used in A.I. programme with the
help of electro-ejaculation.

9. Disadvantages of Artificial Insemination:
1. Well trained operators are required to perform the
works.
2. If the males that are used for semen collection are
not free from coital injuries the infection will
spread to a large number of females.
3. There is danger of contaminating the semen at a
number of stages, right from collection to its
deposition in the female tract.
4. Genetic abnormalities are likely to be propagated
through bulls if selection of bull is not done
carefully.

10. 5. Injuries are likely to occur to vagina or cervix during
insemination and carrying infection from vulvar
opening by pipette/catheter especially when A.I.
is done carelessly or animal that is difficult to
restrain.
6. Heavy cost is involved in establishing A.I.
laboratory, equipment and deep freezing
facilities.
7. It is not really applicable in areas with poor means
of communication.
8. A.I. is of limited value where animals can not be
kept under close observation.
9. Intrauterine insemination of pregnant female(in
gestational heat) may result in abortion.

11. Thank you