Ram semen collection and artificial insemination

Question 1

Method of semen collection:: from genital tract of female

Answer 1

• By sponge or ladel

Disadvantages: semen can be contaminated with mucus of female, urine, and genital diseases can be spread.

Question 2

Method of semen collection: Massage method

Answer 2

Manual or digital stimulation

Disadvantages: in the bull: semen can be contaminated with urine and bacteria.

Question 3

Method of semen collection: Electrical ejaculation

Answer 3

Original type had two electrodes, rectal and lumbar.
Recent apparatus has bipolar electrodes.
Finger electrode.

Disadvantages: 
causes discomfort to the animal 
the animal must be restrained
semen can be contaminated with urine 
More likely to get immature sperm
frequent collections within one day cannot be made 

Advantages:
useful when the animal lacks libido or refuses to serve into A.V.
when the animal
is injured, unfit or old and is incapable of serving
it is particularly useful for testing large numbers of rams for semen quality
after vasectomy
for sale, etc.

Question 4

Methods of semen collection: Artificial vagina

Answer 4

Advantages: 
it is a natural way of semen collection
semen of good quality can be obtained
no difficulty in practical application
it is a cheap and quick method
frequent collections within
one day can be made. 

Disadvantages:
the male should be trained to serve into the A.V. Rams have different
temperaments.

Question 5

Cervical A.I

Answer 5

Non invasive

Short, straight forward procedure

Question 6

Insemination dose for vaginal A.I

Answer 6

Largest dose

400 mil

Question 7

Insemination dose for cervical A.I.

Answer 7

100 mil

Question 8

Insemination dose for intrauterine A.I

Answer 8

25 mil

Question 9

How much sperm in one ejaculate?

Answer 9

4-5 billion

One ejaculate can inseminate 40 ewes (A.I.)

Question 10

Synchronising ewes for A.I.

Answer 10

Intra vagina progesterone sponge or seeder
Leave sponge in for 12 days
PMSG injection given at the time of sponge removal - helps stimulate ovulation
Teaser rams can also be introduced into the paddock at this time - stimulates oestrus and ovulation

Estradiol peaks
Triggers LH surge
Ovulation around 24 hours after LH surge

Should inseminate 48hours after sponge removal (if using fresh semen)

Question 11

LH surge triggers oocyte development

Answer 11

Resumption of meiosis

Loss of polar body

Question 12

How long does it take for ovulation to occur after sponge removal?

Answer 12

60 hours

Question 13

How long does it take for a ewe to come into oestrous after sponge removal?

Answer 13

38- 48 hours

Lasts for 24 - 36 hours

Question 14

When is PMSG injected into ewes?

Answer 14

At the time of sponge removal - helps stimulate ovulation

Question 15

How much PMSG is injected into ewes?

Answer 15

400 - 500 units

Question 16

Fecundin immunisation

Answer 16

Used on un-synchronised ewes

Increases the twinning rate

Requires 2 injections

1. 5 weeks prior to mating
2. Booster injection given 3 weeks after first injection

Question 17

Regulin

Answer 17

Subcutaneous implant used to advance the breeding season and also increases twinning

Works best in conjunction with the ram effect

Question 18

When is laproscopic intrauterine insemination used?

Answer 18

For frozen semen

or insemination of superovulated ewes

Question 19

laporoscopy methods

Answer 19

Deprive ewes of food and water for 12 hours
Cradle is used to restrain the ewe
Clip the ewe
Local anaesthetic is applied in 2 regions, a few cm either side of the midline
Skin is sterilised with ethanol
Ewe is presented for insemination in a position of dorsal recumbancy at an angle of 40 degrees from the horizontal
Abdomen is inflated with CO2

Question 20

Laproscopic A.I fertilisation rates in superovulated ewes

Answer 20

90%

Question 21

Laproscopic A.I with forzen semen - % of lambs expected

Answer 21

65 - 70%