Artificial insemination gives a producer access to excellent genetics for his or her operation’s goals.
For those interested in beginning an AI program, I suggest to first speak with a veterinarian to help identify a Bovine Artificial Insemination Training Course – or connect with a trained specialist. When considering sire selection, I recommend a producer speak with the herd-health veterinarian regarding several subjects.
• goals for the calf crop
• desired expected progeny differences – detailing anything from calving ease to carcass traits, maternal traits and more
• which animals the producer plans to AI – whether just heifers, or both cows and heifers
• considerations for a clean-up bull
Proper insemination technique and the selection of synchronization protocols are important. Another important factor is nutrition. Be sure to keep the heifers in a good state of nutrition; a poor plane of nutrition can affect her fertility. Heifers and cows need to be in a positive energy balance and gaining weight – or at a very minimum, maintaining weight. Receiving good protein levels and an excellent trace-mineral program will also increase chances for success.
Basic insemination kit
• stainless-steel AI gun
• straw cutter or scissors
• non-spermicidal lubricant
• thermometer
• thaw unit – water bath or wide-mouth thaw thermos
• disposable items including split plastic sheaths, sanitary covers, plastic palpation gloves and paper
• hemostats – for use instead of tweezers
• disposable sheath-protector tubes to minimize contamination
Be sure to clean and disinfect the items in the AI kit both before and after using. Clean the items with warm water and soap to ensure all residue is rinsed off. Then disinfect using Chlorohexidine. Be aware that disinfectants can be spermicidal; producers should rinse well so they don’t affect the fertility of the semen sample.
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Producers may also want to consider options for timed-AI or heat detection, of which there are many options on the market.
Handle storage tank carefully
Frozen semen should be kept in a liquid-nitrogen tank. The storage tank has a handle with a cup; that’s where semen straws are kept.
• Always ensure skin never comes in direct contact with the tank’s insides or the contents within it. Use an oven glove or an insulated leather glove, and use either a hemostat or tweezers, to pick up straws to avoid direct contact with skin.
• Be as quick as possible. Having good organization will help prevent keeping the tank open too long, which risks damage to the sperm. A good way to avoid that issue is by knowing the inventory and having different compartments for different bulls.
• Maintain a proper temperature in the tank, which is -184 degrees Fahrenheit. Also maintain 3 inches of liquid nitrogen on the bottom of the tank. The best way to monitor the level of liquid nitrogen is by using a wooden yardstick. If the tank ever loses its seal, producers will notice some frost. That will indicate it’s not maintaining proper temperature inside. If the semen doesn’t stay at that perfect temperature, it will lose fertility.
Thaw straws carefully
Improperly thawing the semen will decrease the fertility in the sperm. Warm-water thawing is industry standard. Cattlemen can do that by using either a commercial thawing unit, like a water bath, or an insulated thermos.
• The industry-standard temperature is water at 90 to 95 degrees; thaw the straw for 40 seconds. Use a thermometer and a timer. Different semen suppliers may have different recommendations for thawing; follow their recommendations.
• Thaw straws individually. Cows need to be inseminated within 15 minutes from thawing. A best practice is to thaw a straw after the cow is caught; then inseminate her.
• After thawing don’t allow the straws to cool off at all. Keep the straw in a shirt pocket to stay at that core body temperature. If sperm are cold-shocked it will affect sperm motility or even kill them. Also keep in mind ultraviolet sunlight is also harmful.
Use proper AI technique
Sanitation is significantly important during insemination to avoid carrying any bacteria into the uterus, which could cause infection.
• Using paper towels, wipe off any feces near the lips of the vulva and inside the visible vaginal wall before inseminating. Avoid using any disinfectants; those can be spermicidal.
• During insemination the easiest way to minimize contamination and advance the straw is with some help from the producer’s arm that is in rectally. Put some downward pressure on that arm to spread apart the lips of the vulva. When inserting the straw, go at an upward angle of about 30 degrees.
• If when advancing the straw there is any resistance, use the hand that's in rectally to take the cervix and push it in forward to straighten out the vagina.
• Putting the straw through the cervix can take some practice but there are ways to make it easier. It’s common to experience some difficulty here because there is a pouch all the way around the cervix called the fornix; it’s easy to become stuck in that blind pouch. When advancing the straw, be sure to be in the middle of the cervix. And rather than pushing the straw through the cervix, hold the straw firmly. Then with the hand that is rectal, grasp the cervix and pull the cervix over the straw.
• The last point is to avoid going too deep into the uterus. If the straw goes into one of the horns of the uterus instead of staying in the body, there is risk of unsuccessfully inseminating that cow because they ovulate from only one side. So if she is inseminated from the wrong side on accident, the sperm simply will not be at the correct side in which she is ovulating.
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Dr. Tony Hawkins is a Valley Vet Supply technical-service veterinarian. He attended Kansas State University-College of Veterinary Medicine where he focused on mixed-animal practice. Before joining the technical-service veterinarian team at Valley Vet Supply, Hawkins practiced veterinary medicine in Marysville, Kansas, where he was involved in cattle health – including processing, obstetrical work and servicing the local sale barn. He’s treasured by the community for his care of horses and pets, through wellness appointments and surgery.
Valley Vet Supply was founded in 1985 by veterinarians to provide customers with animal-health solutions. Building on more than half a century of experience in veterinary medicine, Valley Vet Supply serves equine, pet and livestock owners with thousands of products and medications selected by Valley Vet Supply Technical Service veterinarians and team of industry professionals. With an in-house pharmacy that is licensed in all 50 states, and verified through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, Valley Vet Supply is a source for horse, livestock and pet supplies. Visit ValleyVet.com for more information.