Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Dubois, Idaho » Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #127188
Title: TRANSCERVICAL AI IN SHEEP: EFFECTS OF A NEW TRANSCERVICAL AI CATHETER AND TRAVERSING THE CERVIX

Author
item WULSTER RADCLIFFE, MEGHAN - FORMER ARS
item Lewis, Gregory

Submitted to: Theriogenology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/12/2003
Publication Date: 8/28/2002
Citation: Wulster-Radcliffe, M.C., Lewis, G.S. Development of a new transcervical artificial insemination method for sheep: effects of a new transcervical artificial insemination catheter and traversing the cervix on semen quality and fertility. Theriogenology. 2002. v. 58. p. 1361-1371.

Interpretive Summary: We concluded from our present results that our new transcervical artificial insemination catheter for sheep does not seem to affect fertilization rate or pregnancy rate through day 3, if the cervical manipulation associated with traversing the cervix is done in an atraumatic manner. Therefore, a new transcervical artificial insemination catheter, which is designed to cope with the anatomical barriers presented by the sheep cervix, should allow us to expand the use of transcervical artificial insemination procedures for sheep.

Technical Abstract: The difficulty of traversing the cervix severely limits transcervical (TC) AI in sheep. Cervical trauma and poorly designed instruments can reduce fertility after AI. To overcome problems associated with TC AI, we developed a new TC AI catheter. Thus, this experiment was conducted to determine whether our new TC AI catheter and(or) using this catheter to perform TC AI affected fertilization and(or) pregnancy rate. Ewes were assigned to one of three treatments: 1) TC AI using the new TC AI catheter + sham AI via laparotomy (n = 9); 2) sham TC AI + AI via laparotomy using a laparoscopic AI instrument (n = 8); and 3) sham TC AI + AI via laparotomy using the new TC AI catheter (n = 10). To synchronize estrus, progestogenated pessaries were inserted and left in place for 12 d. On d 5 after pessary insertion, PGF2alpha (15 mg) was injected i.m. At pessary removal, eCG (400 IU) was injected i.m. Ewes were inseminated 48 to 52 h after pessary removal. Fresh, diluted semen (200 micro L) pooled from the same four rams each day during the experiment was used. At 72 h after AI, uteri were collected and flushed. Oocytes and(or) embryos were recovered and evaluated morphologically. We conclude from these data that neither our new TC AI catheter nor TC intrauterine AI using the new TC AI catheter should impair the success of TC AI in sheep.