NAME: __________________________
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION NOTES
What is Artificial Insemination?
Artificial insemination (AI) is the placing of sperm in the reproductive tract of a female by
_______________
_______________________________________________________________________________________.
ADVANTAGES (At least 3)
DISADVANTAGES (At least 3)
Necessary Equipment for AI
Artificial vagina Thaw bath
Extender Lutalyse
Straws Gloves
AI Rod Paper towels
Gloves Teaser cow
Straw cutter Sheath
Collection vial Lubricant
STEPS IN ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
STEP 1 -
Semen used for AI can be collected by:
electroejaculation
_______________________________
The most common method of collection is the artificial vagina as this results in the highest quantity and
quality of semen.
STEP 2 -
Semen Evaluation
After the semen has been collected, it is examined in the lab under a microscope for
______________________________________________________
STEP 3-
Freezing the Semen
Semen is frozen at a constant rate until it reaches a temperature of negative
______________________
Semen is stored in liquid __________________________ tanks to preserve it.
STEP 3.5-
Preparing to Inseminate
The cow must be in _____________________________ before she is artificial inseminated.
Estrus is the time period during the estrous cycle when the female will allow breeding to occur.
The cow should be ____________________________________
NAME: __________________________
STEP 4
Estrus Synchronization
This technology is known as estrus synchronization and is __________________________________
Estrus synchronization provides advantages to producers because
_____________________________
STEP 5
The Insemination Process
A. The first step of the insemination process is to load the cow into a chute or other holding device.
B. Thawing the Semen
Once the cow is in the _______________________________________________________
Thawing must be done carefully to avoid damage to the sperm.
Thawing semen too ____________________________ will harm the sperm.
The straw should then be placed in a warm water bath for __________________________
The straw is then removed from the bath and dried ____________________________l to prevent
water from coming into contact with the semen.
The straw is placed into the end of the AI rod and a _________________________ is put over the rod.
The ________________________________________ into place.
C. Transporting the AI Rod
It is a good idea to wrap the end of the AI rod containing the straw of semen in a __________________
to protect the semen from temperature change and to avoid contamination.
The rod should be carefully carried by the technician or an assistant to the site where the cow will be
inseminated.
D. Locating the Cervix
The technician should insert
______________________________________________________________.
E. Cleaning the Vulva
The skin around the vagina (the vulva) should be cleaned with paper towels to avoid contaminating the
cow when inserting the AI rod into the vagina.
F. Inserting the Rod
Once the _____________ has been located, the AI rod is inserted through the vagina into the
reproductive tract.
The rod must be passed through the three muscular rings of the cervix and into the body of the uterus.
G. Depositing the Semen
Once the technician is sure the rod has passed through all ______________ of the cervix, the semen is
deposited into the body of the uterus.
H. Removing the Rod
After the semen has been deposited, the rod should carefully be removed from the reproductive tract.
I. Massaging the Tract
The technician may also massage the tract to ensure the semen reaches both ___________________
The technician cannot be sure if the female will ovulate from the left or right ovary, so massaging the
tract ensures that the semen reaches both uterine horns.
NAME: __________________________
J. Conclusion
After AI is completed, normal fertilization will take place and a calf should be born in approximately 283
days.
Cost Cutting Ideas