Contents

Preface
I. Introduction
II. Advantages of Artificial Insemination
III. Properties of Semen
IV. Methods of Semen Collection
V. Examination of Semen for Quality
VI. Semen Dilution
VII. Preservation of Semen
VIII. Cleaning and Sterilization of Apparatus
IX. Insemination Process
X. Care and Training of Sire

Preface

Today, the artificial insemination has become a normal method of breeding quality cattle. A large number of cows and buffaloes are inseminated artificially. The technique of artificial insemination is particularly more useful in a country like India where the paucity of quality sires has been the main hurdle in the way of cattle improvement. This booklet describes the process of artificial insemination in detail including methods or semen collection, semen dilution, management of sire for artificial insemination use and sterilization or apparatus to be used.

Dr. K.T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental

I. Introduction

Artificial insemination is the technique in which semen with living sperms is collected from the male and introduced into female reproductive tract at proper time with the help of instruments. This has been found to result in a normal offspring. In this process, the semen is inseminated into the female by placing a portion of it either in a collected or diluted form into the cervix or uterus by mechanical methods at the proper time and under most hygienic conditions.

The first scientific research in artificial insemination of domestic animals was performed on dogs in 1780 by the Italian scientist, Lazanno Spalbanzani. His experiments proved that the fertilizing power reside in the spermatozoa and not in the liquid portion of semen. Few further studies under research station conditions helped this technique to be used commercially allover the world including India.

Artificial insemination is not merely a novel method of bringing about impregnation in females. Instead, it is a powerful tool mostly employed for livestock improvement. In artificial insemination the germplasms of the bulls of superior quality can be effectively utilized with the least regard for their location in far away places. By adoption of artificial insemination, there would be considerable reduction in both genital and non-genital diseases in the farm stock.

II. Advantages of Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination has following advantages over natural breeding.

1. The main advantage of artificial insemination (A.I.) is that it increases the usefulness of superior sire to an extra ordinary degree. It makes available sires of inheritance for milk and butter fat production to all dairymen within a limited area. Previously only a few could get the advantage of good bulls.

2. The services of superior sires are greatly extended. By natural services, a bull can be bred to 50 to 60 cows per year. On the other hand, by artifical insemination technique thousands of cows can be sired in one year by one bull.

3. The breeder does not need to maintain a herd sire and thus can avoid the botherations accompanied with the management of a bull. It helps to regulate the breeding programme and the space between successive calvings without unnecessarily prolonging the dry period.

4. The dairyman does not have the problem of searching and purchasing a new herd sire every two years to avoid inbreeding.

5. The technique of artificial insemination can be made useful in cross breeding for hybrid vigour by quickly transporting the semen by air to different continents.