Mating Techniques Natural Service and Artificial Insemination What

Mating Techniques: Natural Service and Artificial Insemination

What do these animals have in common…. ?

Natural vs. Artificial Service • Natural Service : Deposition of semen by a male into the reproductive tract of a receptive female under normal conditions and environment • Artificial Insemination: Placement of semen by unnatural means into the reproductive tract of a receptive female Timing is critical for successful mating!!!

Estrus: The period of sexual excitement (Standing Heat) where the female is receptive to the male and will stand for mating Estrous Cycle: The reproductive cycle of domestic animals. It is measured from the beginning of one estrus to the beginning of the next (ie. 21 days)

Timing of Events in the Reproductive Cycle Duration of Estrus Species Length of Estrous Cycle Ewe 17 days 24 -36 hours Goat 21 days 32 -40 hours Sow 21 days 48 -72 hours Cow Mare 21 days 18 -19 hours 21 days 4 -8 days *

Methods of Estrus Detection Visual inspection 30 min. morning and evening Standing to be mounted (lordosis) Mounting of other cows Swollen vulva Mucus

Methods of Estrus Detection Teaser animals • Surgically altered – Vasectomized – Gomer bulls • Androgenized cows or steers

Methods of Estrus Detection Marker Aids • Chinball marker • Heat-Mount detectors (ie. K-Mar patches) • Chalk or paint tail head

Methods of Estrus Detection Heatwatch® Estrus Detection System

Artificial Insemination • Advantages – Genetic improvement through increased use of superior sires – Disease control – Improved record keeping – Eliminates need for keeping bulls • Disadvantages – Time required to detect estrus – Percent of cows in estrus during the breeding season – Trained personnel required – Overuse of inferior sires

Methods of Artificial Insemination Deer Goat Speculum – tube-like instrument that spans vulva and posterior vagina allowing for visual inspection of os cervix

Methods of Artificial Insemination Cow Senger 2003 Rectocervical – manipulation of the cervix over the insemination gun via the rectum Utilize AM/PM rule for timing of insemination

AM/PM Rule for Cattle • Universally accepted time for insemination • Cows detected in estrus in the morning are bred that same afternoon, those found in estrus in the afternoon are bred the next morning

Methods of Artificial Insemination Sow Senger 2003 Cervical – introduction of the spirette with a counter-clockwise rotation into the cervix Gilts – inseminate 12 hours after detection of estrus Sows – inseminate 24 hours after detection of estrus

Methods of Artificial Insemination Mare Senger 2003 Vaginocervical – introduction of the insemination gum into the cervix via the vagina Insemination time is based on presence of a 35 mm follicle, open cervix, and detection of estrus

Methods of Artificial Insemination Sheep Laparascopy – surgical introduction of semen directly into the uterine horns