Artificial insemination is a popular procedure, the demand for which is due to the high demand for meat and milk. Moreover, with a natural procedure there is no guarantee of stable growth in livestock. In addition, it often leads to traumatic injuries or transmission of infections. Therefore, many farmers are interested in how exactly cows are inseminated. This procedure has different types and features.
When and how many times should artificial insemination be performed?
For the manipulation to be effective, it is important to follow the basic rules for its implementation and adhere to the number of procedures. When choosing the optimal physiological period, it is recommended to focus on the following features:
- Readiness of eggs for fertilization. This state is present for 10 hours. Then the egg ages, and its readiness to merge disappears. Performing insemination at this time provokes various pathologies. To prevent such problems, the semen must enter the genital tract before ovulation.
- Physiological changes in which sperm are able to enter the egg.
- Parameters of sperm viability. During natural fertilization, the seed remains active for 2 days. When carrying out the procedure artificially, this indicator does not exceed 12 hours. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for insemination 12 hours before the arrival of ovulation.
Experts advise conception at 3 am. This is the most suitable period for the procedure. But if the time of hunting comes in the morning, then insemination is carried out in the evening. Approximate time is 5-7 hours.
It is important to understand that many females are in active estrus for 20 hours. Sperm should be injected a couple of hours before or after milking. During this period, the dominant position in the cow’s brain is occupied by milk production. As a result, the uterus blocks the absorption of sperm. This makes it impossible to get results.
When carrying out insemination, the multiplicity is of no small importance. Sperm should be injected twice:
- for the first time, the procedure is carried out immediately from the moment the rut is detected;
- the next one – after 10 hours.
If the hunt does not end, it is recommended to inject sperm at intervals of 12 hours. The procedure should be stopped only after the end of characteristic symptoms.
How to determine the start of a hunt
To understand the beginning of the hunt, it is worth observing the behavior of the animal. The following signs indicate this:
- cow anxiety;
- constant mooing;
- looking around, stepping from foot to foot;
- decreased appetite;
- immobility reflex;
- sniffing or licking the genitals;
- mucous discharge from the genitals.
The veterinarian may examine the vagina. In this case, you can see its swelling and redness of the mucous membranes. The cervical canal opens slightly and mucous discharge appears.
Choosing an insemination method
Insemination can be carried out naturally or artificially. In the second case, the manipulation must be carried out by a livestock specialist with the appropriate skills.
The methods for performing the procedure vary. These include the following methods:
- visocervical;
- rectocervical;
- manocervical;
- epicervical technique.
Required tools and equipment
If there is no fertiliser in the herd, artificial insemination can be carried out. The manipulation should be performed in a special place. The following should be there:
- playpen;
- washing equipment;
- laboratory with materials and tools.
In this case, the laboratory must have syringes, catheters, and a microscope. You also need special dishes. The washing room contains containers for disinfection and special clothing.
Preparing the animal
Before starting insemination, it is important to perform sanitary treatment. You should not use aggressive means for this. It is better if the treatment is done with potassium permanganate.
It is recommended to clean the area around the anus of dirt.Then you need to wash the back of the body with soapy water and rinse with Furacilin. This helps reduce the risk of infection in the cow during conception.
Carrying out the process
Cows are inseminated in different ways. However, in any case, animals are fertilized by introducing semen through the cervix.
To inseminate a cow at home, you need to use the visocervical method. Before the session begins, the specialist must use a microscope to determine the activity of sperm.
For insemination, it is recommended to do the following:
- Rinse the anus and vagina with Furacilin.
- Disinfect the speculum and insert it into the genital tract.
- Collect sperm and insert it into the cervix with a catheter.
- Pull out the tools.
The most popular method of fertilization is rectocervical. Insemination can be carried out directly in the stalls. To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- Clear the intestines of feces.
- Rinse the genitals with Furacilin.
- Treat the glove with soapy water and insert your hand into the anus.
- Feel the genitals to find the corpus luteum.
- With your other hand, spread the genital slit.
- Insert the device and find the end of the catheter with your hand.
- Place it in the cervix and advance it 6-8 centimeters.
- Inject sperm.
- Pull out the tool.
To carry out fertilization using the manocervical method, it is recommended to do the following:
- Put on gloves and treat them with a weak salt solution.
- Place your hand in the genital tract to assess uterine dilatation.
- Massage your vagina for a couple of minutes.
- Insert the catheter with sperm into the cervix, immersing it 7-8 centimeters.
- Inject sperm into the cervix. It is recommended to do this at a moment of complete relaxation. When contractions appear, you need to massage again.
It is recommended to pull out the hand very carefully so as not to damage the tissue and not cause pain in the cow. Otherwise, the sperm will leak out, which will not lead to the desired results.
There is also an epicervical technique, which most closely resembles real insemination. In this case, the sperm must be injected not into the uterus, but into the vagina or cervix. In this case, you should do the following:
- Clear the intestines of feces.
- Rinse the genitals.
- Massage the clitoris.
- Insert your hand into the anus and massage the uterus.
- Place the catheter into the vagina and pour out the raw material.
- Pull out the tool.
How to determine pregnancy
Conception should occur immediately after fertilization. Pregnancy can be determined rectally or vaginally. However, a blood test is considered the most accurate method. It should be done on days 20-23 from the moment of fertilization. Pregnancy is indicated by an increase in progesterone levels. If this does not happen, you need to identify the causes and carry out treatment.
There are a number of ways to inseminate animals. In any case, the procedure must be carried out by a specialist. It requires compliance with basic rules and recommendations. This will help you get the desired result without harming the health of the animal.
