Transcervical AI in Sheep: An Overview

Year 2020, Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 82 - 84, 01.01.2020

Muhammad Khalid

Abstract

Within sheep industry artificial insemination (AI) is
a very valuable tool for rapid genetic progress.  Besides, AI is performed to maximise the use
of superior rams and contain certain contagious diseases within flocks. In the
sheep breeding industry three methods of AI are prevalent: vaginal, cervical and
laparoscopic intrauterine.  Commercially acceptable
fertility rates, however, can be achieved by laparoscopic intrauterine
insemination using both fresh and
cryopreserved semen but with cervical AI using fresh semen only.  The most successful method, therefore, seems
to be Laparoscopic AI but it is an expensive, invasive surgical procedure and is
not considered to be welfare-friendly.  A
practical solution is, therefore, transcervical intrauterine (TCAI).  However, due to the convoluted nature of the
cervix, penetration of the inseminating pipette to enable TCAI is rarely
achievable. This review describes some of the work that has been done to
understand the mechanism(s) of cervical relaxation with the ultimate objective
of performing transcervical AI in sheep.

Keywords

Trans-cervical Artificial Insemination, Sheep, Cervical relaxation

References

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