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ARS Home » Plains Area » Miles City, Montana » Livestock and Range Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #110534
Title: TIPS TO IMPROVE AI PREGNANCY RATES

Author
item Geary, Thomas

Submitted to: Montana Farmer
Publication Type: Popular Publication
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2003
Publication Date: 3/1/2003
Citation: GEARY, T.W. TIPS TO IMPROVE AI PREGNANCY RATES. MONTANA FARMER. 2003. p. 44-45, 48.

Interpretive Summary: This article contains new information regarding artificial insemination and provides tips that producers can utilize to improve their AI pregnancy rates. We have learned that our heat detection efficiency increases when the estrous cycles of cows are synchronized. Our increased ability to detect synchronized cows in heat is a function of increased estrous behavior and exhibition of that behavior over a shorter time frame. However, the amount of time that we spend observing cows for signs of estrus not only improves our heat detection efficiency, but also our conception and pregnancy rates to AI. Pregnancy rates are higher for cows that are inseminated 4 to 12 hours after the onset of estrus. Clitoral stimulation for 3 to 5 seconds following AI increases pregnancy rates for cows by about 5%, but decreases pregnancy rates in heifers by approximately 3%. Stress to the cow during the time of insemination does not affect pregnancy rates, but transportation stress 8 to 12 or 29 to 33 days following AI decreases pregnancy rates by approximately 10%. The best time to transport cattle after AI is 1 to 4 days following insemination.

Technical Abstract: This article contains new information regarding artificial insemination and provides tips that producers can utilize to improve their AI pregnancy rates. We have learned that our heat detection efficiency increases when the estrous cycles of cows are synchronized. Our increased ability to detect synchronized cows in heat is a function of increased estrous behavior and exhibition of that behavior over a shorter time frame. However, the amount of time that we spend observing cows for signs of estrus not only improves our heat detection efficiency, but also our conception and pregnancy rates to AI. Pregnancy rates are higher for cows that are inseminated 4 to 12 hours after the onset of estrus. Clitoral stimulation for 3 to 5 seconds following AI increases pregnancy rates for cows by about 5%, but decreases pregnancy rates in heifers by approximately 3%. Stress to the cow during the time of insemination does not affect pregnancy rates, but transportation stress 8 to 12 or 29 to 33 days following AI decreases pregnancy rates by approximately 10%. The best time to transport cattle after AI is 1 to 4 days following insemination.