Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer (not done)

What species commonly do embryo transfer?

Bovine and equine

What is the process of embryo transfer?

AI or natural service is used to inseminate a female then the embryo are collected before hatching from zona pellucida and transferred to another female

What is the fastest growing way to assist repro?

In vetro fertilization

What is in vitro fertilization?

A single sperm cell is inserted into an egg in a lab. The embryo is cultured on artificial media for several days and the embryo proceeds to the blastocyst stage then transferred to a female

What is the most experimental form of assisted repro tech?

Gamete Intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)

What is Gamete intra-fallopian transfer (GIFT)?

An egg is aspirated from a females ovary prior to ovulation and then placed in the uterine tube of a recipient and the recipient is bred naturally or via AI

What semen can be used for AI?

Fresh, chilled, or frozen

What are advantages of AI?

Genetic improvement because you can use males that are likely to produce valuable offspring

Can have way for offspring (300-1500 per week if a bull)

Can use males from anywhere in the world

Don’t need as many males

Less risk of a venereal disease

What are the disadvantages of AI?

Skill for estrus detection

Need a skilled inseminator

Time and skill to commit to repro

Increased cost per pregnancy

Where can you collect semen for AI?

Purchased from commercial suppliers

Collected on site to reduce risk of natural service

How do we collect semen for AI?

Artificial vagina

What species need a AV that has warm water?

Stallions

What species has an AV that is just pressure, not warm water?

Bulls

When do you use electroejaculation for AI collection?

Males not trained to mount a dummy

Bulls, bucks, and wildlife

How does electroejaculation work?

Specialized probe placed into the rectum applying a series of low-voltage pulses to the pelvic nerves involved in erection and ejaculation