Objectives

Define the word artificial insemination

Describe the process of semen collecting and processing
in artificial insemination
Understand the advantage and disadvantage of artificial insemination
Artificial Insemination
Artificial insemination is a method of introducing sperm from
a male animal and manually depositing them into the
reproductive tract of a female animal using an instrument.
Process of collecting semen

Use of an artificial vagina

By electro stimulation method
By massaging the ampulla of the ductus deference through rectal wall
PROCESSING OF SEMEN
The semen is diluted with solution containing:
Sugar
Salts used to to maintain the correct pH
Glycerol to protect the sperm against the effects of freezing
Antibiotics to prevent the growth of bacteria
The semen is divided into small quantities and packed into small
disposable plastics straw. The straw is stored by freezing in liquid
nitrogen at negative 196 degrees celcius. Before AI is carried out, the
straw containing semen is thawed and placed into a glass.
Advantage of Artificial insemination
An improvement or upgrading of the farmers stocks of an animal
It removes the risk of rearing dangerous male animals
The costs to the farmer are less than the cost of rearing a male animal
maturity
The spread of venereal disease is reduced or prevented.
Semen from a pedigree male can be used to services hundreds of females
Frozen semen can be stored and used for many years
Young female are
prevented from physical injury during mating
Disadvantage of artificial insemination
The cost of setting up and maintaining the necessary facilities is
expensive
The requirement for special equipment and skilled personnel,
including trained inseminator
Reduces variation
Failure of the insemination to result in pregnancy
Picture showing artificial insemination
Picture showing dummy
Terms in reproduction
• Ovulation is the release of an ovum from the ovary and is closely associated with heat
period.
• Fertilization is the process whereby the nucleus of the sperm and the nucleus of the ovum
meet and fuse with each other to form zygote.
• Gestation is the period between fertilization (conception) and the birth of the young. It varies
in length with the different classes of farm animals.
⦁ Parturition is the act of given birth.
• Oestrous cycle is a sequence of events, controlled by hormones, occurring in female
mammals and it extends from the beginning of one period of heat to the beginning of
another period of heat.
• Oestrus (heat) is the stage in the cycle when the female mammal is receptive to the male.
• Colostrum is the first milk produced after birth and it contains antibodies to protect the
young from infection.