Artificial Insemination Techniques Research Articles

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate chitosan nanoparticles in an extender improve the antioxidant capacity and post-thawed quality of Kacang goat semen

Background and Aim: The Kacang goat (Capra hircus) is an indigenous livestock species in Indonesia that is at risk of extinction due to cross-breeding. Artificial insemination (AI) techniques are expected to increase the population of these goats. This study aimed to determine the addition of epigallocatechin-3-gallate chitosan nanoparticles (EGCG CNPs) to skim milk–egg yolk (SM–EY) extender to obtain the best possible quality of post-thawed Kacang buck semen for AI. Materials and Methods: Fresh Kacang buck semen was diluted in SM–EY without or with the addition of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 µg of EGCG CNPs/mL extender. Extended semen was packaged in French mini straws, frooze, and stored in liquid nitrogen at −196℃ for 24 hours. Six replicates from each treatment group were thawed for catalase, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, malondialdehyde (MDA), sperm intact plasma membrane (IPM), viability and motility analyses. Results: Post-thawed semen that was previously frozen without EGCG CNPs in the extender (control group) exhibited the lowest levels of catalase, DPPH, sperm viability, sperm motility, IPM, and the highest levels of MDA. However, the addition of EGCG CNPs at doses of 1.5 µg/mL extender increased post-thawed catalase, DPPH, sperm IPM, viability, and sperm motility and decreased MDA levels (p < 0.05) than those of control group. Conclusion: This study was the first in which EGCG CNPs were used in SM–EY extender, and the addition of only 1.0 µg/mL of EGCG CNPs in this extender increased the antioxidant capacity and post-thawed quality of Kacang buck semen.

Efficiency evaluation of two estrus synchronization protocols in estrus response and conception rate of dairy cows in the Dalocha district, Ethiopia

The study aimed to determine the effectiveness of single and double-shot estrus synchronization protocols on conception and estrus response rates in dairy cows. Among 195 sampled female animals, only 174 cows and heifers met a standard of the protocols. Animals were prepared for hormone injections based on their breed, parity number, and body condition score (BCS). Among 174 sampled animals, 120 were indigenous and the rest 54 were crossbreds, and 143 cows and 31 heifers were selected for single alfagladin C (Cloprostenol) injections. Whereas, 16 of them were given double alfagladin C (Cloprostenol) injections when they did not showed estrus prior to single injection. All data was collected and analyzed by SPSS version 20 software. Through observation, inspection and rectal palpation, 90.8% of 174 synchronized animals showed estrus response with a single dose, whereas 16 of them (100%) showed estrus response with double injections. Overall, 48.3% of cows and heifers became pregnant. The conception rate of cows/heifers varied significantly through each protocol, with 50% of animals conceived by double injection treatment and 48.1% of cows conceived through single shot treatment. Additionally, there was a substantial difference in estrus response across breeds, BCS, and parity number. Furthermore, the rates of conception in local and crossbred cows were 40.8 and 64.8%, respectively. In terms of body condition, a high conception rate (58.6%) was observed in the good body condition score. The conception rate and estrus response were significantly different in parity number. In general, the double protocol outperform than the single protocol in terms of estrus and conception rate. Accordingly, stakeholders or artificial insemination technicians might apply double protocols after a single injection to obtain remarkable results. Nevertheless, strict follow-up is required, and more resources at the farmer's management level are required.

Determination of artificial insemination timing in Banteng based on follicle size and uterine enlargement

The Banteng (Bos Javanicus d'Alton 1823) is an endemic species in Indonesia that is threatened with extinction and whose population continues to decline in the wild. The aim of this study is to determine the timing of artificial insemination (AI) in the Banteng based on follicle size and uterine enlargement. For this study, two female Banteng were used in Taman Safari Indonesia, Cisarua, Bogor. Habituation was performed to facilitate data collection. Optimal timing for AI is determined by examining the reproductive organs using Ultrasonography (USG) to detect changes in the uterus and ovaries and monitor clinical signs of estrus. Follicle size and uterine examination was performed on days -1, 0, and +1 for 3 estrus cycles. Insemination was performed 2-3 times during estrus until ovulation occurred. The results showed that the average follicle size of both Banteng was 1.09 ± 0.02 cm on day -1, 1.31 ± 0.02 cm on day 0, and 1.33 ± 0.03 cm on day +1. Artificial insemination was performed with a double dose of frozen semen when the Banteng were still rideable, and the follicle size ranged from 1.23-1.38 cm. Pregnancy was examined by ultrasound on day 21 after mating; both Banteng females were pregnant after AI. It can be concluded that AI technique can be used in captive Banteng breeding program by studying the development of follicles and uterine enlargement.

Strategic Approach in Cattle Breeding: An Important of Sharia Compliance in Artificial Insemination Implementation in Malaysia and Indonesia Cattle Beef Industry

Cattle beef is very important as a protein source to the population of a country. However, the existing demand for beef is greater than its supply making it a critical issue in food security. Moreover, the price of domestic beef per kilogram is higher than imported beef. The use of innovations such as artificial insemination, biosecurity, and integration techniques is yet to be implemented by beef cattle producers although empirically proven to improve beef production. This situation has become more critical among beef producers in Malaysia. Based on the insufficient supply of cattle beef in the country, Malaysia through its industry players like Kedah Corporation Plantation Group (KLPK) decided to introduce a new breed by using artificial insemination technology so that the prime product can be sustained in the future. This concept paper will highlight the strategic approach in cattle breeding by using qualitative methodology to gather knowledge sharing and technology transfer as a comparative implementation between Malaysia and its counterpart in Indonesia. This study aims to explain a strategy approach between both players and the Sharia compliance issue regards the implementation proposed by the study.

IN MEMORY OF HRYHORII SEMENOVYCH SHARAPA (1933–2022) – A RECOGNIZED UKRAINIAN SCIENTIST IN THE FIELD OF FARM ANIMAL REPRODUCTION

The purpose of the article is to highlight the life path and creative pursuits of Candidate of Biological Sciences, Honored Worker of Agriculture of Ukraine H. S. Sharapa in the field of reproductive biotechnology of the farm animals and improvement of artificial insemination techniques. Research methods are general scientific (analysis, synthesis, classification), special historical (problematic-chronological, comparative-historical, biographical), source studies. The scientific novelty of the article lies in the systematization of the scientific heritage of the scientist and the generalization of creative achievements that have found wide practical application in the field of animal husbandry. It is substantiated that H. S. Sharapa has made a significant contribution to the study of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of the genital organs of cows, sheep and bulls of domestic breeds of cattle, to the improvement of the technique of insemination of females. Scientists have developed effective methods of increasing the reproductive capacity of breeding animals, optimal modes of their sexual load, modes of conservation and use of sperm, technology of artificial insemination of cows and heifers; a number of diagnostic, preventive and treatment measures for gynecological diseases were proposed, which contributed to the increase in the profitability of the production of livestock products in Ukraine. H. S. Sharapa made efforts to organize research work in animal husbandry as the Head of the Laboratory of Breeding Biology of Farm Animals of the Kyiv Research Station of Animal Husbandry "Terezyne" and relevant departments of the Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics named after M.V.Zubets of NAAS. The creative approaches of the scientist in the field of spreading zootechnical education and popularizing the scientific achievements of Ukrainian scientists in the field of reproductive biotechnology are summarized.

Effects of Cell Concentration During Cryopreservation On the Post-thaw Quality of Santa Inês Ram Sperm

BACKGROUND: Non-surgical artificial insemination techniques for sheep may benefit from larger numbers of sperm in the insemination dose because the ewe's cervix is convoluted and often cannot be traversed with an insemination gun resulting in deposition of the sperm at the os cervix. OBJECTIVE: To compare a range of sperm concentrations when cryopreserving semen from Santa Inês rams and determine the effects of this on post-thaw quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One ejaculate from each ram (n = 10) was diluted to four sperm concentrations to obtain the following groups: G – 400, G – 800, G – 1200, and G – 1600 x 10 6 sperm/mL. The semen samples were packaged in 0.25 mL straws, cooled to 5 ºC, cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen vapor, thawed in a water bath (40 ºC/20 s), and were analyzed for computerized kinetics, capacitation and acrosome integrity, and plasma membrane integrity of sperm. RESULTS: The G – 400 treatment resulted in samples with the highest linearity and progressive motion (P < 0.05) and had significantly greater plasma membrane integrity, and lower capacitation and acrosome reaction rates compared to G-1600 (P < 0.05). Overall, use of the G – 400 treatment resulted in better kinetics, less plasma membrane damage and less early capacitation. However, despite reducing the ejaculate yield and increasing the costs of the semen freezing process, the G – 800 and G – 1200 treatments make a greater absolute number of sperm with good kinetics, plasma membrane integrity and capacitation status available. CONCLUSION: Ram sperm concentration impacts cryopreservation, and higher concentrations may be advantageous if a single rtificial insemination protocol is desirable.

Use and users of artificial insemination in Swedish dairy cattle breeding, 1935–1955

ABSTRACT From the middle of the twentieth century, the new technologies and techniques of artificial insemination (a.i.) transformed dairy cattle husbandry and breeding across dairy-producing countries. While there are nuanced and multi-faceted studies of early a.i., previous work has not engaged much with its material usage, meaning that we know little about how different techniques, practices, and animal reactions promoted or restricted a.i’.s use for particular purposes. Here, I address this aspect by studying early a.i. in Swedish cattle breeding as a concrete set of technical artefacts used by humans and animals, thus reframing a.i’.s early history as a problem of use and users. I focus specifically on the artificial vagina, the predominant instrument used to gather bull semen, and show how the modes of use and non-use of the artificial vagina not only helped shape a.i. itself but also veterinary expertise, the institutions of breeding, and parts of the Swedish agrarian economy.

Artificial Insemination in Queens in the Clinical Practice Setting: Protocols and challenges.

Despite substantial advances in assisted reproductive techniques having been recently reported in cats, the use of these is limited and routine application is still far from being a reality in veterinary clinics. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand from domestic cat breeders for artificial insemination (AI) techniques that are already commonly used in dogs. Where natural breeding is not possible in tom cats and queens of high breeding value, AI could offer a solution. Clinical challenges: AI in cats is more difficult than in other species - both in terms of semen collection/handling and oestrous cycle management given that ovulation must be induced. For practitioners wishing to perform AI in queens, there are challenges to overcome, and a good understanding of the techniques and procedures involved is pivotal. This review aims to contribute to improved knowledge by providing an overview of AI protocols, encompassing choice of breeding animals, procedures for semen collection, oestrus and ovulation induction, AI techniques and equipment. Depending on the animals involved and the specific AI technique chosen, essential equipment may include an artificial vagina, electroejaculator, endoscope (sialendoscope, which can be fairly expensive) and special catheters for transcervical insemination. Other instrumentation and materials needed are typically readily available in a veterinary clinic. In general, no particular skills are needed to perform the procedures described in this review, with the exception of endoscopic transcervical catheterisation, where the ability to use an endoscope is required. The information and advice/recommendations provided are based on specific feline research and reviews published in scientific peer-reviewed journals, animal reproduction textbooks, and presentations at national and international congresses. The authors also drew on their own clinical experience with regard to the choice of protocols and procedures presented in this review.

Recto-vaginal artificial insemination using digital rectal palpation technique in Red Sokoto goat

Artificial insemination was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of digital rectal palpation as a new technique of artificial insemination (AI) in Red Sokoto goat. Forty two Red Sokoto goat does were randomly divided into group A (Recto-vaginal DRPAI; n = 14), group B (Vaginal speculum AI; n = 14) and group C (Natural service; n = 14). Semen was collected from two Red Sokoto breeding bucks using artificial vagina, processed and stored at 4ºC. Oestrus was synchronised with prostaglandin F2-alpha, and oestrus detected by apronised bucks and visual observation. Breeding was by artificial insemination for groups A and B while group C bred by natural service. Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out using ultrasonography on day 126. Conception rates were 61.5%, 58.3% and 100%, while pregnancy rates were 57.1%, 50.0% and 100% for groups A, B and C, respectively. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between groups A and B. It was concluded that digital rectal palpation technique effectively carried out recto-vaginal artificial insemination with similar and acceptable conception (61.5%) and pregnancy (57.1%) rates to vaginal speculum artificial insemination but lower to natural service in Red Sokoto goat does. However, it is recommended that further studies be carried out with more animal number to verify findings.

Reproductive Indices of Naturally Mated and Artificially Inseminated Quail Hens (Coturnix japonica): Is Artificial Insemination of Japanese Quail Hens Feasible in a Local Setting?

Naturally mated and artificially inseminated Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) hens’ eggs reproductive indices were investigated to evaluate natural mating or artificial insemination techniques for breeding quails in local farms. A total of 141 (108 hens and 33 cocks) matured quails of about 11 weeks of age were used for the experiment, of which 54 hens were inseminated with Citric-quail egg albumen extended semen collected from 15 fertile cocks. Another 54 hens were naturally mated by another 18 fertile cocks in a ratio of one cock to three hens (1:3). Eggs collected from both naturally mated and artificially inseminated birds were incubated for 18 days. The percentage of incubated eggs that were fertile when candled on the 7th and 12th day and hatch-out analysis after the 18th day of incubation tested fertility. Hatchability was tested by the percentage number of fertile eggs that hatched. Naturally mated and artificially inseminated hens’ eggs had a fertility of 84.0 % and 73.3 %, and a hatchability of 82.5 % and 85.5 %, respectively. The study revealed no significant difference in the frequency of fertile or hatched Japanese quail eggs (χ2 cal < χ critical at 5% or 1% level of probability). Naturally mated and artificially inseminated birds had relative fertile egg rates of 53.4 % and 46.6 %, respectively, and relative egg hatching rates of 52.5% and 47.5 %, respectively. Artificial insemination had the advantage of introducing the same volume of semen to more quail hens than a single cock in a natural mating process. However, natural mating was recommended over artificial insemination in the study area because of the technical constraints that required more workforce and amenities in the insemination process. The authors recommended research on developing restraint instruments and non-electrical semen storage methods for quail birds. The authors also proposed a restraint model for quail birds

Success rate of artificial insemination, reproductive performance and economic impact of failure of first service insemination: a retrospective study

BackgroundA retrospective cohort study using a 10 year artificial insemination (AI) and cow reproductive performance data was conducted to study the success rate of AI; associations between effectiveness of AI and breed, AI season and, number of service per conception, and economic impact of failure of FSC in Dessie town, Dessie zuria and Kutaber districts. A total of 3480 dairy cows’ AI and reproductive performance records which were performed between 2003 and 2013 in the three selected districts of South Wollo were used. The economic losses and costs for cows that failed to conceive at their first AI associated with the larger number of days open were estimated.ResultThe prevalence of conception has a statistically significant difference between breeds of cows (P = 0.019). The non-return rate for first service was 58.54%. The median days to first service (DFS), inter-service interval (ISI) and gestation length (GL) were 126, 30 and 278 days respectively. Whereas, the mean + SD days open, calving interval (CI), number of inseminations (NOI) and number of services per conception (NSPC) were 147.2 ± 60.26, 424.5 ± 60.55, 1.14 ± 0.38 and 1.15 ± 0.39 respectively. Based on AI season there was a significant difference in conception between winter and spring (P = 0.021). There is a 45.04 days extension in the mean calving to conception interval in cows that did not conceive at their first AI but conceived by 2nd and 3rd AI than in cows that did conceive at their first AI. A total of 21,665.3 ETB extra costs was spent on reproductive treatment and other management for cows that failed to conceive at their first AI but conceived by second and third service. In cows that did not conceive totally the owner losses on average 473.7 ETB per cow per day extra costs until the cows will be culled.ConclusionTherefore to increase the conception rate and decrease the economic loss the owners of the dairy cows should supervise the cows regularly and should be trained on how to identify cows on estrous, the AI technicians should be trained to conduct the AI service accurately.

Wilsher cervical forceps for artificial insemination technique in jennies

The pregnancy rate after artificial insemination (AI) with fresh semen between jennies and mares seems to be similar. However, the jenny's cervix differs from the mare, it's longer and tortuous, being difficult the passage through the cervix to perform different reproductive procedures such as AI or embryo transfer. This retrospective study aimed to compare the pregnancy rate in jennies using two different methods of fresh semen AI. Eight native Argentinian jennies were used, characterized by a small body mass index, between 150 and 250 kg of body weight, and an average height of 1.20 m. Nineteen AI cycles performed between the 2019-2020 breeding season in Argentina were analyzed. Ovulation was induced during estrus using 1500 IU of hCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Ovusyn®, Zoetis) at the evidence of a preovulatory follicle ≥ 35 mm. They were inseminated with semen from two donkeys of proven fertility. An ultrasound was performed every 24h until ovulation and the interval between AI and ovulation was 12 to 48h. The jennies were evaluated by ultrasound, 15 days post ovulation for pregnancy diagnosis. For AI, two techniques were used: 1) conventional artificial insemination (n=11), where the AI catheter was inserted by hand through the vaginaand the fingers guided it through the cervix to the uterus, and 2) the Wilsher technique (n=8) which has been originally described for equine embryo transfer. The Polansky speculum was introduced in the vagina, the cervix was visualized with the aid of a flashlight and taken from the ventral segment with the Wilsher forceps. The pointed upper jaw of the opened forceps was inserted into the external os of the cervix and forceps jaws were closed grasping firmly the ventral segment of the cervix. To straighten the cervix and cervical canal the Wilsher forceps were pulled backward, and an AI catheter was inserted through the cervix to the uterus. A Fisher's exact test was performed to evaluate the pregnancy rate 15 days post ovulation. For statistical analysis, p<0.05 was considered statically significant. Pregnancy rates per cycle using conventional (54.5% (6/11)) or Wilsher forceps technique (75.0% (6/8)) were not statistically different (p=0.63). Our preliminary results suggest that both AI techniques are suitable to achieve high pregnancy rates per cycle although the application of Wilsher technique can be a specially useful tool in AI of small donkey breeds. In general, this technique is easier and faster than conventional jenny's AI due to her long and tortuous cervix. More experimental data are needed to confirm these results.

20 Trials and Tribulations of Countering Insufficient Sperm Quantity with Sperm Quality, Fertility, Synchrony and Deeper Site of Insemination

Abstract Superior tools and techniques for boar semen evaluation, semen preservation and artificial insemination (AI) have helped build industry confidence and competence to reduce sperm per female inseminated without compromising reproductive results. Over the last 30 years, the average number of sperm per AI dose has decreased from about 5 to 2 billion in the US and doses containing 1.5 billion sperm have become common in some other countries. While even more genetic lag can be eliminated by further reduction of sperm dose, the level at which fecundity and fertility loss occurs is not a constant and likely varies between different farms and production systems. In general, uterine delivered sperm doses near or lower than 1 billion tend to reduce litter size and further sperm dose reduction eventually reduces pregnancy rate. Deeper catheter deposition of semen, beyond the uterine body, does not seem to effectively compensate for a limiting quantity of sperm. The exception is that surgical injection of sperm into the oviducts requires much less sperm than intrauterine insemination. Reduction of the AI-to-ovulation interval, from 24 to 8 h for example, does not seem to ameliorate the negative effects of a limiting number of sperm when sperm quality is high. The exception may be that a shorter AI-to-ovulation interval can increase reproductive results when both sperm quantity and quality are limiting. Examples include low boar fertility, advanced semen age, or sperm quality compromised by cryopreservation or sex-sorting. A better understating of boar fertility, the interaction of sub-populations of sperm with the oviductal reservoir and their participation in fertilization is likely requisite to continued reduction of the number of sperm required per female. Technologies that predict or regulate sperm quality, fertility and ovulation could prove useful in the quest to use sperm more efficiently and add value to swine AI.

Pre-freezing at 10 cm above liquid nitrogen surface for eight minutes resulted the best Sapera goat semen quality

Sapera goat is a dairy goat resulting from a cross between a Saanen buck and an Ettawah cross doe. These small ruminants are reared by rural households for poverty reduction and undernutrition prevention. Breeding of Sapera goat through artificial insemination (AI) technique was expected to accelerate the increase in population. Unfortunately, the frozen semen of Sapera buck is not available yet. This study aims to determine the effect of the distance between semen straw and liquid nitrogen surface during pre-freezing process on the quality of frozen semen of Sapera goats. Semen was obtained from 1.5 years old Sapera buck. The ejaculates were diluted in tris-egg yolk extender to obtain a concentration of 120 x 106 spermatozoa/mL, then equilibrated at 5°C for one hour. The extended semen was packaged in 0.5 mL French straws (60 x 106 spermatozoa/straw). The filled straws were pre-frozen in the cold handling cabinet (Minitube, Germany) held at 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 cm above liquid nitrogen respectively for T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 groups, each with four replicates. After pre-freezing for eight minutes the straws were immediately plunged, and stored in liquid nitrogen (-196°C) for two days, followed by quality assessment. The best post-thawed motility (41.75 ± 2.06 %), viability (49.00 ± 0.82 %) and morphological abnormalities (4.75 ± 0.96 %) were obtained from pre-freezing stage with a distance of 10 cm. It could be concluded that in tris-egg yolk extender, post-thawed spermatozoa viability and motility of Sapera buck were qualified for AI when fresh semen was pre-frozen at 10 cm distance of straws from the surface of liquid nitrogen for eight minutes.

An Open-Hardware Insemination Device for Small-Bodied Live-Bearing Fishes to Support Development and Use of Germplasm Repositories.

Simple SummarySmall-bodied live-bearing fishes attract broad attention because of their importance in biomedical research and critical conservation status in natural habitats. Artificial insemination is an essential approach used to establish hybrid lines and for the operation of sperm repositories. The existing mouth-pipetting technique for artificial insemination of live-bearing fishes has not been substantially upgraded since the first implementation in the 1950s. This work developed a low-cost standardized artificial inseminator device (SAID) as open hardware to address issues routinely encountered in insemination by mouth-pipetting, including lack of reproducibility among different users, difficulty in training, and large, unreportable variation in sample volume and pressure during insemination. Community-level enhancements of the SAID prototype could enable standardized insemination with minimal training and facilitate the participation of research communities in the use of cryopreserved genetic resources.Small-bodied live-bearing fishes attract broad attention because of their importance in biomedical research and critical conservation status in natural habitats. Artificial insemination is an essential process to establish hybrid lines and for the operation of sperm repositories. The existing mouth-pipetting technique for artificial insemination of live-bearing fishes has not been substantially upgraded since the first implementation in the 1950s. The goal of this work was to develop a standardized artificial inseminator device (SAID) to address issues routinely encountered in insemination by mouth-pipetting, including lack of reproducibility among different users, difficulty in training, and large unreportable variation in sample volume and pressure during insemination. Prototypes of the SAID were designed as relatively inexpensive (<USD 80) open hardware based on commercially available and 3-D printed components to enable broad community access. A linear actuator was used to accurately control the position of a piston for fluid transfer with a standard deviation of <0.1 mm over a 4 mm range of travel. The volume of sample transfer was precisely controlled with a linear relationship (r2 > 0.99) between the piston position and volume. Pressure generation from eight mouth-pipetting operators and SAID prototypes were assessed by pressure sensors. The pressure control by SAID was superior to that produced by mouth-pipetting, yielding lower pressures (31–483 Pa) and smaller variations (standard deviation <11 Pa). These pressures were sufficient to deliver 1–5 μL of fluid into female reproductive tracts yet low enough to avoid physical injury to fish. Community-level enhancements of the SAID prototype could enable standardized insemination with minimal training and facilitate the participation of research communities in the use of cryopreserved genetic resources.

Efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) Technology in Different dairy Herd Management Systems in the Southern Highland Zone (SHZ) of Tanzania

The objective of the study was to establish the information on the performance of Artificial Insemination (A.I) in different production systems in the Southern Highlands Zone of Tanzania. Three districts namely, Njombe, Mbeya and Mbozi were purposively selected for data collection in smallholder farms and three large scale farms of ASAS, Sao Hill and Kitulo were selected for data collection. Data from 1486 and 163 dairy cow’s records from large and smallholder farms, respectively were used and analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procedure of Statistical Analysis System (SAS). The overall number of services per conception (NSC) were 2.49 and 1.39 in smallholder farms and large farms, respectively. In smallholder farms, NSC was influenced by district, breed, parity, AI technician, age at first service, calving to first service Interval (CFSI) (days) and who detect heat. In large farms NSC was influenced by farm location, source of semen and effect of year. First service to conception (FSC) were 43.56% and 72.48% in smallholder farms and large farms, respectively. It was revealed that the value of NSC and FSC under smallholder farms were lower compared to recommended values, indicating inefficiency of AI performance under smallholder farmer’s conditions in SHZ of Tanzania. Contrary NSC and FSC under larger farms were good indicating that AI is efficiency under large farms in SHZ of Tanzania. Hence there is a need to train smallholder dairy farmers on heat detection and good herd management so as to improve dairy reproductive efficiency in the country.

TRADITIONAL DAIRY HUSBANDRY PRACTICES VIS-A VIS ESTRUS SYNCHRONIZED AND ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATION ON DAIRY CATTLE PERFORMANCES IN ETHIOPIA

The study was conducted with the objective to assess breeding and husbandry practices of dairy cattle and to evaluate estrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) services of dairy cattle. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, retrospective study, field monitoring and a participatory farmers’ group discussion. A total of 180 respondents were randomly selected from the two districts (90 from each). For retrospective study; data were collected on productive and reproductive performance of 911 dairy cattle from record books of the AI centers for the 2017 to 2018 period. Field monitoring was conducted for 3 months on 80 cows. The dairy cows or heifers were selected purposively from kebeles and households. The data obtained from the survey were analyzed using (SPSS version 20) and the data from the retrospective study and field monitoring were analyzed using (SAS version 9.1). For quantitative data obtained from the field monitoring general linear model procedure of the statistical analysis system (SAS version 9.1) was used. The Natural pasture was the dominant feed source in highlands whereas non-conventional feed was the dominant feed source in midl-altitude [1-3]. Farmers keeping Holstein Friesian and jersey breeds gave slightly higher priority to milk production for cash income, whereas those keeping local cattle breeds gave higher priority to milk production for own consumption. The average age at first calving for native and crossbred cows was 56.48±0.88 and 48.66±8.07 months respectively. AI was the dominant mating system (70.0%) followed by the natural mating system (21.7%). The main reasons for the presence of less satisfaction on AI service were heat detection problem followed by disease, absence of AI technician’s efficiency and distance of AI center [4-6]. Around half (48.3%) of the respondents have medium satisfaction with AI service and synchronization programs. The overall conception rate and number of service per conception were 77% and 1.3% respectively. For our findings, it can be concluded that selecting animals with appropriate age, body condition score (BCS) farmers’ awareness to detect heat and on-time insemination were important factors for improving the efficiency of synchronization program.

English

The study aimed to improve the reproductive performance of female rabbits under the high environmental temperature of the summer season using artificial insemination (AI) techniques as compared with natural mating (NM) and defining the better dilution extender that may be used in AI. 45 virgin female New Zealand white (NZW) rabbits were employed in this study. Female rabbits were distributed to three groups. First, rabbits were mated by natural mating (NM). Groups two and three, rabbits were mated using AI with tris-citrate-glucose extender and citrate-egg yolk extender, respectively. The experiment lasted July and August months beginning from mating directly and continuing during pregnancy and suckling their bunnies till completion the weaning of offspring. Results showed that significant improvement in conception rate (CR), litter number, bunny weight, and litter weight at birth and weaning were observed in the two groups of AI compared with the first group of NM. P4 levels in the two groups of AI were higher significantly than NM at days 15 and 28 after mating, respectively. AI technique with tris-citrate-glucose extender is better than AI technique with citrate-egg yolk extender in the reproductive performance of female rabbits, especially, under the high environmental temperature of the summer season in Egypt. © 2022 Friends Science Publishers

Analysis of Artificial Insemination Technique for Cattle Breed Improvement

Analysis of Artificial Insemination Technique for Cattle Breed Improvement

PLANNING DECISIONS OF RECONSTRUCTION WORK IN PIG REPRODUCTION USING ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

Commodity production of pork in GO «GF «Gontarivka» IT NAAS» was based on the use of four premises using a flow system with uneven groups each year. Using current technology, the production cycle was 5.5 to 9.5 months (average sow farrowing ranges 1.26-2.18 per year): four months of idle and growing periods and one and a half months of suckling period. This approach to the reproduction of livestock has led to overconsumption of feed for breeding stock, problems with the reproductive system in some animals and an increase in the total production cost. To improve the system of pig reproduction, the farm has formulated a step-by-step introduction of pig reproduction technology based on artificial insemination. Volume-planning solutions for the reconstruction of the farm have been developed, which provide for partial re-planning of the premises for reproduction of livestock, keeping boars, conditionally pregnant pigs and sows, and artificial insemination, to transfer to flow technology with uniform groups throughout the year. Reconstruction of the premises for the reproduction of livestock was carried out by organization of an arena and a laboratory for artificial insemination, the installation of individual machines for insemination of sows. The proposed reconstruction scheme provides for the maintenance of 99 single and pregnant sows in group machines, 30 sows in individual insemination machines, 14 breeding boars and up to 15 boars. The laboratory of the artificial insemination point provides the artificial insemination technician with operations on sperm quality assessment, preparation of media, dilution, assessment and storage of sperm, maintenance and storage of documentation, etc. The work of the artificial insemination point in Gontarivka IT NAAS was carried out in several stages.