Abstract
The study was conducted to evaluate efficiency of artificial insemination (AI) service and constraints of AI service selected Districts of Harar National Region State, Ethiopia. A total of 320 dairy cows were randomly selected from six districts of Harari region; Jin’Eala, Shenkor, Hakim, Dire-Teyara, Aboker, Sofi. Data on dairy cattle management, artificial insemination (AI) service efficiency and constraints of AI service were generated using structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Forty three straws of frozen semen was sampled from the regional AI service centre, thawed and evaluated at the region level for its quality (motility, viability and morphology) following standard procedures. The overall mean percentage of frozen semen motility at regional level was 49.6. Semen production period (batch) and Breed (exotic blood level) had no effect on frozen semen motility. The mean percentage of viable (live) spermatozoa was 58.3. Sperm viability was not significantly influenced by Semen production period (batch) and, breed (exotic blood level). The overall mean percentages of major and minor sperm morphological defects were 5.6 and 21.8, respectively. Frozen sperm major morphological defects were significantly affected (p 0.05) on frozen sperm major morphological defects. Frozen sperm minor morphological defects were not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by both semen production period (batch) and sire breed (exotic blood level). The mean number of service per conception (NSC) in the current study was found to be 1.6. It was not significantly affected by previous season of calving, previous year of calving and parity. Non-return rate value of Harari region AI service center was 48.1%. Major constraints of AI service delivery system in the study area were feed shortage, problem in heat detection, service charge for AI, distance from AI service centre and husbandry problem. Additional shortage of input for AI service activity particularly semen and liquid nitrogen was reported as constraint of artificial insemination service in the study area, which interrupt smooth delivery of AI service.
Highlights
Ethiopia possesses the largest livestock population compared to any country in Africa, its productivity remains marginal [1]
The values of fresh sperm individual progressive motility was obtained from national artificial insemination center (NAIC), where semen is collected processed and packed
After transportation and further storage at the regional AI service center, the average motility of frozen semen was further reduced to 49.4% (9.3% loss)
Summary
Ethiopia possesses the largest livestock population compared to any country in Africa, its productivity remains marginal [1]. In Ethiopia, genetic improvement through crossbreeding has been introduced through development and research projects during the last four decades. The distribution of crossbred heifers, the provision of artificial insemination service and setting up of bull service stations were major components of the development projects. As indicated by [2] through the effort of these projects, Ethiopia has built up a herd of more than 120 thousand cattle with exotic inheritance. Since cattle breeding are mostly uncontrolled in Ethiopia, appropriate bull selection criteria have not been established applied and controlled which make genetic improvement difficult [3]. Artificial insemination (AI), the most commonly used and valuable biotechnology [4] has been in operation in Ethiopia for over 30 years. Today AI was recognized as the primary tool for genetic improvement in cattle breeding. A series of studies are needed to determine the coverage and performance of AI at national, provincial and district levels [7]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
