Efficacy validation of a low-cost handmade simulator (SIMCA-COW) in palpation, ultrasonography evaluation, and artificial insemination in cows

Abstract

Background and Aim: Using simulators in high education enables practical training by repetition in circumstances close to reality reducing the stress of both animal and operator. The limited resources of veterinary schools, the increase in the number of students in lecture halls, and the low availability of animals for teaching due to welfare regulations, reduce teaching opportunities with live animals being simulator as the better alternative. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a low-cost handmade simulator (SIMCA-COW) in eight veterinary students inexperienced in palpation, ultrasonography evaluation, and artificial insemination in cows. Materials and Methods: Two sets of exercises were carried out: structure localization by rectal palpation and ultrasonography were evaluated by the inexpert veterinary students in the SIMCA-COW simulator. Also, evaluated the length of time to insert the insemination catheter through the cervix in the inert simulator during four sessions. Results: All the students were able to palpate both structures and to locate the body and both uterine horns by ultrasonography. Cervix and follicles were located by 5/8 (62.5%) students and 3/8 (37.5%) students found the corpus luteum by ultrasonography. A reduction in time span between the first and fourth intrauterine insemination attempts was observed (8.26 ± 2.7 vs. 3.69 ± 1.7; mean ± standard error; p < 0.05). Conclusion: The simulator validated in this study (SIMCA-COW) allows training and learning by repetition, saving the limitations found in live animal practice.

The usefulness of models and simulators for training practical bovine artificial insemination skills

“…The genital tract of cows and heifers collected from slaughterhouses remains the traditional, most frequently used model for training bovine AI worldwide, promoting experience and mimicking field experience. It can be used exposed over a table at the beginning of the training ( Figure 1A ), allowing students to visualize the intervention and the introduction of some corrective measures to the technique, or closed within a frame that can be either a PVC rigid tube ( Figure 1B ) or a wooden box ( 8 ), or included in a suspension device ( Figure 1C ) to maintain the genital tract in a close-to-anatomic position ( 9 ). Despite these natural models being usually cheap and easily available, they also present some important disadvantages.…”

“…For transrectal palpation, simulators are considered practical and fit to effectively replace the conditions found in live animals ( 9 , 10 , 14 , 15 ), even if their contribution to learning success remains poorly explored. There is rather more advertisement information on simulators to train AI skills than sound information on the perception (trainee point of view) and usefulness of AI skills development, autonomy, and self-confidence to further work with living cows, suggesting that there is a need to assess the advantages of each approach.…”