Artificial insemination of cows is a mandatory activity in the farm. It allows you to fertilize cattle in the required time, to control the process of penetration of sperm of a bull and to qualitatively prepare animals. Before fertilization, a gynecological preventive medical examination is mandatory.
Onset and signs of rutting
In order to choose the right time for insemination events, it is necessary to take into account the period that has passed after calving and the beginning of the rut. Cows belong to polycyclic animals, which means a year-round ability to bring offspring, therefore, an important point is the determination of the stages of the sexual cycle, which lasts about 20 days. The first thing that arises is the excitement of the female, as the egg matures. This means readiness for mating. The symptom is divided into several stages of development:
- The beginning of estrus. From the uterus, a mucous secretion of a thick consistency is released through the cervix, which becomes cloudy over time. This is due to the fact that follicles begin to mature in the ovaries, which increases the concentration of estrogen in the blood fluid. This factor directly affects the reproductive system of the animal. The duration of estrus is from 28 hours to five days. In addition to secretions, the genitals swell in the cow, appetite decreases, activity increases (cattle becomes anxious and restless).
- Hunting. This is the period when the cow is ready for insemination. At this time, the animals jump onto an individual ready for mating, and that, in turn, stands still. Among other things, cows lick each other's genitals. Fertilizing cattle (cattle) is necessary on the first day from the beginning of estrus.
- Ovulation period falls in the middle of the hunt. With successful fertilization, the concentration of estrogen decreases, therefore, sexual desire disappears. The cow no longer responds to the bull and begins to eat actively, that is, the appetite increases.
A description of the structure of the internal genital organs of the cow and the ovulation process itself is shown in the video below:
Then comes the balancing period, which continues until the onset of a new arousal. Some farmers monitor the behavior of the animal 1-2 times a day, but it is necessary to identify signs of readiness for mating throughout the day so as not to miss the moment suitable for insemination.
In some representatives of cattle, the hunting period is shortened - it lasts only 6-7 hours, in others it appears only at night and late in the evening. That is why it is so important to monitor the condition of animals and examine them at an individual level.
When and how many times do you need artificial insemination?
The average duration of the sexual cycle is 18-24 days, but there are individuals in which the cycle is elongated or shortened (respectively, more than 24 days and less than 18). In the first case, the cause may be missed hunting, inflammatory processes in the uterus, death of the embryo, etc. In the second, the presence of neurohormonal disorders.
The optimal time for artificial insemination is based on the physiological characteristics of the cow after calving. The fact is that the functional abilities of the ovaries are restored quickly, but the uterus is not yet able to bear fruit again. As a result, conception does not occur, although the cow shows signs of rutting. Therefore, insemination of animals is necessary no earlier than two to three months after the last calving.
Preparatory Activities
Fertilization should be carried out taking into account sanitary and hygienic requirements, therefore, preparatory measures are necessary. What to do before artificial insemination:
- The main aspect is cleaning the room. Disinfectants are used without chemicals.
- Be sure to clean the stall from the remains of manure and dirt with the help of tools, after which the surfaces are washed off abundantly with water pressure.
- A preliminary examination of the cow by a veterinarian is necessary - it must be healthy, without inflammatory processes and infection.
- The animal is washed with a mild soap solution. The fluid should be warm. The tail, stomach, vulva, extremities are processed. If the rectocervical method of insemination is used, then the rectum is cleaned (the remains of feces are removed). After washing, the body is wiped with a dry cloth, and the vagina is lubricated with the liquid drug Furacilin.
- The necessary tools are being prepared. They are disinfected with special solutions or treated with fire. After that, spread on sterile material.
- An ampoule with seminal fluid is placed next to the instruments.
- Next, the inseminator washes his hands with soap, puts on sterile medical gloves that need to be lubricated with alcohol and petroleum jelly.
- A cervical and uterine body massage is performed.
Artificial insemination at home should be carried out by a qualified professional. If this is not possible, then the self-taught inseminator must master the technique of massage and insemination directly.
Necessary tools and equipment
First of all, special attention is paid to the appearance of the inseminator. What is needed:
- clean medical gown;
- apron;
- headdress;
- face mask;
- transparent glasses;
- boots or slippers that do not walk on the street.
What tools and equipment are needed:
- cotton swabs;
- containers for solutions;
- gauze fabric;
- ampoule with seminal fluid (or Dewar vessel);
- a solution of alcohol and furatsilina;
- container for used tools;
- rubber gloves (sterile);
- brown household soap (can be replaced with antibacterial);
- towels;
- syringe;
- scissors;
- sterile wipes;
- large thermos with heated water.
Before using tools and materials, they are sterilized. In the modern world, it is customary to use disposable devices, which speeds up and facilitates the process of preparing for insemination.
Additional tools depending on the method of insemination:
- Rectocervical method involves the use of disposable syringes with a sleeve (per 2 ml), a polystyrene catheter (length from 35 to 42 cm), sterile gloves up to 90 cm long. Instead of a sleeve syringe, polyethylene ampoules can be used.
- With the visocervical method, a vaginal mirror, catheter-syringes, illuminators are necessary. Of the drugs, a solution of sodium citrate (2.9%) and sodium chloride (1%) is additionally used.
- For the manocervical method, table salt is needed, from which a solution of 0.9% is made, long gloves and catheters measuring 75x4.8 mm.
- When the epicervical method is used, an ampoule equipped with an ejaculator, a polyethylene catheter (40 cm long).
Methods and techniques of insemination
There are many methods of artificial insemination, but there are standard methods that are used most often. Their use is allowed at home.
Manocervical Technique
It is rarely used at home, since for the procedure the inseminator is required to know the structure of the urogenital system of the cow. After preliminary preparation, you need to moisten your hands in a solution of sodium chloride, and then immerse them in the vagina. This will accurately determine the degree of cervical dilatation.
Then a massage is performed and a catheter with an ampoule is inserted (maximum 8 cm). Then the seminal fluid is squeezed out, and the hand is pulled out with neat movements. Caution is necessary so that the uterus does not contract during pain, due to which sperm will rush out.
Feature - it is allowed to use tools purely for one individual. For conveyor insemination, the method is not suitable. This is a fairly inexpensive technique, but with many pros and cons.
Benefits:
- it is permissible to use all kinds of tools (pipettes, zoo-syringes, ЩО-3, etc.);
- sperm packaging can be any;
- the duration of the procedure is minimal.
Disadvantages:
- most often, a reverse release of seminal fluid occurs;
- it is undesirable to carry out the procedure to primogenous heifers (due to a narrow vagina);
- the animal receives stress, after which it is necessary to create calm conditions for several hours.
Cervical imaging technique
The method involves the use of a viewing mirror equipped with a illuminating device. The procedure scheme is considered complex, but highly effective:
- A long syringe with sperm is prepared.
- The containers are placed separately: the first is filled with a solution of sodium chloride, the second with alcohol (70%), the third and fourth also with sodium chloride or sodium citrate. They alternately lower the tools.
- A solution of Furacilin processes the external surface of the vagina.
- A disinfected gynecological mirror warms up, is inserted into the cervix for examination.
- Then a catheter with a 4 cm syringe is inserted into the cervical canal. In this case, sperm should have a temperature of 37-38 degrees.
- The seed material is introduced.
- A syringe is removed, followed by a mirror.
The main advantage is the high level of fertilization, the disadvantage is the professionalism of the inseminator. The fact is that without certain skills you can damage the cervix.
Rectocervical technique
This is a reliable and effective method of artificial insemination, but requires knowledge and experience. For the procedure, a metal container is used, having a tube attached to the syringe with seminal fluid. The technique is based on the fact that an additional device is used that fixes the cervix through the rectum (quite often, the veterinarian uses his own hand instead of an instrument). The procedure looks like this:
- a zootechnician's hand is inserted into the rectum of the cow;
- massage is carried out through the walls;
- then the cervix is fixed with the index and middle finger (the thumb controls the channel entrance;
- a long catheter is inserted into the vagina;
- seed is injected;
- tools are pulled out.
The method is complicated by the fact that the walls of the cervix should be in a relaxed state. Otherwise, the seminal fluid will not penetrate the uterus. The risk of injury also increases.
You can clearly see the implementation of this procedure in this video:
Epicervical technique
The technique is intended for primiparous heifers. The fact is that they have not yet stretched the vagina, so other methods can be harmful. The epicervical technique is based on the introduction of seminal fluid into the vaginal cavity, and not into the uterus, so the insemination efficiency is not too high. This leads to the fact that for fertilization more than one insemination is carried out.
A catheter equipped with an ampoule is inserted at an angle of 30 degrees until it stops. After this, it is necessary to stimulate the clitoris so that the uterus contracts. It is this final process that pushes sperm deep into the uterus.
After the procedure, a slight release of blood fluid may be noted, which is considered the norm, but is not a sign of a successful conception.
Transplantation
To increase the number of calves and improve the livestock, the embryo transplant method is used. Moreover, the donor and recipient may be cows of different breeds. But there is one obligatory requirement - the inseminated individual must be large.
The procedure is as follows:
- Donor cow is examined by a veterinarian for health status.
- After this, hormonal drugs are administered, due to which artificial ovulation occurs.
- Insemination is carried out.
- Already fertilized eggs are washed with special technology.
- Embryos are sorted by selecting healthy elements.
- Then introduced into the uterus of the recipient.
Features of keeping cows after insemination
Immediately after artificial insemination, the animal should fully rest. For this, separation from the herd is carried out - the cow is transferred to a separate room, where it is dry and warm. There are special conditions of detention, which must be strictly adhered to:
- The genitals of a cow are washed with soap and water.
- The vagina is disinfected with a solution of Furacilin.
- Every day the animal is examined, especially the genitals, which could be injured during insemination.
- The individual is in a separate room for up to 2 weeks.
- Be sure to increase the amount of feed.
- Stressful situations are excluded.
Signs of successful insemination
It is easy to determine the positive result of insemination by external signs:
- the cow becomes calm;
- does not respond to bulls;
- abundant mucous discharge from the vagina (turbid and viscous consistency) appears, which appears no more than a month (if the discharge does not stop after 30 days, a veterinarian should be consulted, as this is a sign of infection);
- during the walk, the pregnant burenka is separated from the whole herd;
- the amount of milk yield is significantly reduced;
- 2 months before birth, milk completely disappears;
- the sides increase 4-5 months after pregnancy;
- there is no estrus.
During pregnancy, the cow’s stomach increases asymmetrically - exclusively to the right. This is due to the fact that a scar is located on the left side, which inhibits growth in this direction.
How to determine pregnancy in a veterinary clinic:
- After a month, an ultrasound scan is performed. It makes it possible to accurately determine pregnancy, gestational age and the state of development of the fetus.
- 21 days after insemination, blood tests can be done. Pregnancy hormone (gonadotropin) is detected.
- For laboratory research, cow's milk is collected, in which an increased concentration of progesterone can be detected.
Folk remedy: prepare a glass of warm water, milk the cow. Pour fresh milk into a pipette and drop into a glass. With pregnancy, droplets sink to the bottom, in the absence of pregnancy they dissolve and spread over the entire surface of the water. The method is familiar from ancient times, but it has no scientific confirmation. Therefore, to use the recipe or not, it's up to you.
How to carry out the AnkaR P4 Rapid test for pregnancy of cows is shown in the video below:
Pros and cons of artificial insemination
Benefits:
- Artificial insemination speeds up the process of conception, since with the natural fertilization of a cow by a bull, the result is not always positive. This requires careful selection of the male, which performs its "work" efficiently.
- The number of livestock is increasing, especially when using transplantation.
- When collecting seed material, several individuals can be fertilized at the same time, since the semen is divided into several parts (5% of semen is enough for one animal). In the case of the seeding bull (during natural sexual intercourse), only one cow is fertilized.
- It is possible to obtain pedigree seed material, for example, from another area, since sperm can be transported frozen.
- An increased level of sterility, due to which the cow is not infected with infectious pathologies. In addition, there is no need to additionally examine the bull for sex bacteria and viruses, which saves money from the owner of the farm.Sperm is introduced as sterile as sterilization is carried out.
- You can get offspring of a certain direction. For example, take sperm for growing meat or purely dairy cows.
- An almost 100% guarantee of successful fertilization, as the seminal fluid is withdrawn from time-tested bulls.
Disadvantages:
- The complexity of the procedures, therefore, a specialist should engage in artificial insemination. For this, the livestock inseminator can be invited to your home. But experienced farmers, leading livestock farming for many years, can inseminate cows on their own.
- The possibility of infection, but only if the specialist does not adhere to sanitary standards. That is, it does not disinfect tools, does not use sterile materials and clothing.
- Inadequacy of the inseminator. In this case, the result of fertilization may be negative. Therefore, it is necessary to invite a specialist whose experience you are confident.
Possible errors and difficulties
It is from the inseminator who conducts the artificial insemination procedure that the performance depends. Inexperience and lack of qualifications lead to the commission of typical mistakes, which can not only exclude conception, but also harm the animal. Regardless of the method used, the procedure is considered complex, therefore, the doctor must thoroughly know the anatomical structure of cattle.
What difficulties may arise:
- Infection of an animal. The main reason is the unsanitary conditions in the room (cleaning and disinfection are not carried out), the lack of treatment of the animal, tools and clothes of the doctor. Also use non-sterile gloves.
- Penetration of a lubricant (petroleum jelly, etc.) into the cervix, because of which the structure of seminal fluid is destroyed. Consequently, conception does not occur. This is due to the fact that many lubricants have a spermicidal effect. Grease can be added when the inseminator accidentally touches a syringe or catheter with oiled gloves.
- Non-compliance with the rules for storing ejaculate. Typically, the seminal fluid is stored frozen, for which use containers with liquid nitrogen. It is strictly forbidden to thaw biological material even for a few minutes. Repeated freezing is also contraindicated. These actions significantly reduce the viability of sperm.
- Incorrect cutting of ampoules. If they are cut using the oblique method, then half of the sperm enters the syringe, and not into the uterus.
- Wrong catheter directiondue to which the seed material enters the urethra of the cow. This happens when the inseminator does not adhere to the basic technique (the catheter should be guided at an angle of 30 degrees).
- Excessively deep insertion of a catheter into the uterine cavity. This is fraught with injury to the walls of the organ and further infection.
- The introduction of seed into the blind area of the uterus and vagina of the animal. This is a deaf round pocket that deepens 2.5 cm. It encircles the cervix. Usually new inseminators confuse a pocket with a cervical canal.
- Sometimes sperm just leaking out due to the fact that it flows incorrectly. That is, the catheter is not inserted into the uterine cavity, but at the beginning of the cervical canal, where there are many bends and pockets. To eliminate these errors, it is necessary to guide the catheter with your fingers and be sure to probe the path of advancement.
- Incorrect attitude to the animal. Especially when the heifer is young, as she is characterized by increased timidity. Tough and rough handling of a cow is perceived aggressively. They act negatively on them, so cattle gets stressed, because of which the walls of the uterus are tensed and the seed splashes back.
- Failure to observe insemination time, that is, when the term of the rut is missed.
- Neglect of the animal before artificial insemination. Namely, the cow is not examined for health and readiness for fertilization.
Not a single dairy cattle breeding is complete without artificial insemination of females. Even with only one individual, it is necessary to resort to these measures, so that you can get high-quality and thoroughbred offspring. It is not advisable to carry out the procedure yourself - this puts the animal at risk.
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