Artificial insemination of small ruminants — A review

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) can undoubtedly be regarded as the oldest and most widely used assisted reproductive technique/technology (ART) applied in livestock production and it is one of the most important ARTs. The three cornerstones of its application are that it is simple, economical and successful. Artificial insemination offers many well-known benefits for producers. Fresh, fresh + diluted + chilled and frozen semen can be used for AI in small ruminants. To ensure its successful use, the AI technique must be selected on the basis of the type of semen planned to be used. This review paper gives a detailed overview of semen processing and its effects on semen quality, as well as of the AI techniques applied in small ruminants and their success rates.

The application of in vitro fertilization techniques for the evaluation of ram fertility

“…cervical mucus, swim-up in media, etc.) hypo-osmotic swelling test and computer-based assessment of motility (Computer Assisted Semen Analysis, CASA) (Faigl et al, 2012). However, in ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ.…”

“…However, fertility of preserved semen can be increased if the number of spermatozoa in the insemination dose and the depth of cervical insemination are increased (Faigl et al, 2012). Achieving sufficient penetration of the cervix is problematic and the conception rates are variable (Gillan et al, 2004).…”

“…Many factors influencing fertility after AI have been comprehensively described in the last decades (Evans and Maxwell, 1987;Chemineau et al, 1991;Valasi, 2011;Faigl et al, 2012;Valasi et al, 2012;Khalifa et al, 2013) e.g. number of spermatozoa, preservation technique (frozen, chilled, fresh), method of technique of insemination, time of insemination, type of oestrus (natural or induced/synchronized), hormonal treatment of female, age and breed of females, individual, season of treatment, stress factors and health status.…”

Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination in dairy ewes raised in field conditions in Argentina

“…Among them, artificial insemination (AI) is the oldest and most widely used and one of the most important (Faigl et al, 2012). Taking into account that dairy sheep is an incipient activity in Argentina, this technology could immediately contribute to its genetic improvement.…”

“…Among the hormonal protocols available for estrus synchronization of ewes in a FTAI program, the most widely used is the progestagen and eCG combination (Abecia et al, 2011). There are several factors that could impact on the effectiveness of a FTAI program (breed, age, management, season, methods of synchronization and insemination and type of semen, among others) (Kukovics et al, 2011;Faigl et al, 2012), thus the technique needs to be properly adjusted according to each circumstance. Indeed, Donovan et al (2004) informed the difficulty of applying the same time of insemination in different breeds, probably due to variability in the times of estrus onset and ovulation, among other problems (Quirke et al, 1981;Cueto & Gibbons, 1997;Makawi & Manahil, 2007;Manes et al, 2010;Padilha et al, 2011;Moradi Kor et al, 2012).…”