Lab Quiz #1 - Artificial Insemmination

Advantages =

• Genetic improvement through use of superior animals

• Control of venereal disease

• Better record keeping

• More economical from a genetic standpoint

• Safer by eliminating dangerous bulls

The recto-vaginal insemination method is also called:

the cervical fixation method

What is the method of choice for superior conception rates?

Recto-Vaginal Insemination

Conception rates improve with:

practice

What is the first step?

Use LUBRICATED gloved arm to enter rectum of cow with your fingers forming a cone shape

Once inserted place tail:

on outside of arm

Locate cervix &

grasp firmly

Clean vulva with:

paper towel

How do you open lips of vulva?

Press down with arm in rectum

Insert insemination gun at ___ degree angle upward?

30-45 — to avoid entering the bladder

◦Allow insemination gun tip to _________ then level off.

run along arm until reaches the cervix

Avoid vaginal folds by:

pushing forward on the cervix (extending cervix from inside)

Avoid becoming lost in the:

fornix

Apply slight pressure to insemination gun and:

use your wrist to maneuver cervix (rock it and roll it)

Cervix has how many rings?

3

Once the rod is in the vagina, how do you make sure it reaches the end of the cervix?

Place index finger at the opening of cervix into uterus & Feel for gun tip to enter uterine body.

How long is the bovine uterine body?

only 3/4 of an inch long

Where do you stop the rod?

just past the end of the cervix

Deposit semen:

slowly — allow at least 5 seconds to deposit

After deposition gently pull gun out &

Check tip of gun for mucus, blood, or semen backflow

 Entering without angling gun upward is a problem because?

the gun can suburethral diverticulum or urethral orifice and that can kill the sperm or cause the cow to kick

 Muscle contractions force tract towards anus, causing vagina to become folded, so you should:

Push forward on cervix

Muscle contractions of the rectum:

will tire hand quickly; push through contraction by placing two fingers forward and allowing contraction to roll over arm

 Rectum fills with air:

Becomes distended and inseminator cannot grasp cervix

What should you do if the rectum fills with air?

Grasp rectal wall and pull back slightly to initiate movement of air out of rectum

 Vagina fills with air:

Firm pressure with hand toward vulva will dispel air

 Full bladder makes insemination difficult so:

gently rub clitoris to cause urination (careful of shower)

Common insemination errors:

• Cervix is difficult to pass

• Finger closes over tip of gun during insemination

• Gun enters horn

• Pulling back on gun during insemination

Cervix is difficult to pass causes:

Deposit semen half-way through cervix

Finger closes over tip of gun during insemination causes:

Semen flows back towards vagina

 Gun enters horn:

decreases chance of conception

Pulling back on gun during insemination:

Sheath over gun allows backflow of semen into the gun

How do you use an insemination gun in swine?

turn it counter clockwise to screw it into the female

How is sperm preserved?

freeze it

What is this?

a semen straw cutter

What is this?

bovine insemination gun, sleeve, straw

What is this?

it’s the end of an insemination gun containing straw

What is this?

a warm water bath for thawing semen

In a semen tank, where should the semen be kept?

below the frost line — except for semen you’re using

What temperature is the frost line at?

-103 to -116F

Holding semen in which danger zone for more than a few seconds can decrease fertility?

-103 to +54 —> 6 inches above the frost line

What is the outer tank made out of?

vacuum and fiberglass insulation

The liquid nitrogen in the tank is what temperature?

-320F

How is semen thawed?

in a 32C to 35C water bath (95F) for 45 to 60 seconds

Why should the straws never be left out?

UV rays can kill sperm

You shouldn’t put semen in a cold:

AI gun

What does CIDR stand for?

controlled internal drug release

What does a cidr have on it and how is it used?

it is coated in progesterone and it is left inside the animal for 5-7 days

How do you tell a cow is in heat using a heat watch device?

If the button is pressed for more than 3 seconds

Lutalyse drug:

• prostoglandin F2 alpha

• reset button on cycle

• has to have functioning corpus luteum to be receptive to the drug

Estradiol Cypionate:

• estrogen

• targets follicular growth & ovulation

What is cystorelin/gnrh?

a brand name for gonadorelin, a synthetic form of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) used in veterinary medicine for cattle

What does a cidr do?

it “freezes“ the female into the luteal phase

Post-thaw:

precautions must be taken to prevent sperm damage

If ambient temperature below 5 C:

cold shock will result if warm sperm are exposed to low temperatures

Straw should be dried with:

a clean paper towel

Warm the:

barrel of AI gun and sheaths

Keep loaded AI gun protected from:

elements prior to AI

Before grabbing a AI catheter:

palpate the cow and orient yourself with the cervix