Description of the visocervical method of insemination of cows, tools and diagram

Free mating is rarely used on large farms, as it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. Artificial insemination is the fertilization of a cow, in which the sire does not participate, but its sperm is used. It is not easy to inseminate cows using the visocervical method; this must be done by a veterinarian with extensive experience; the procedure requires careful preparation.

When is it required?

On farms that practice artificial insemination, males and females are not mixed together. Sperm is taken from the breeding bull and frozen and then injected into the cow’s vagina using special instruments.

When is it necessary to artificially inseminate a cow:

1. To increase the number of livestock. Natural fertilization takes longer and does not always result in the cow becoming pregnant.
2. To obtain offspring from a bull with the necessary breed and physical qualities. Sperm from a purebred individual is divided into several portions to inseminate a larger number of females.
3. To obtain offspring from a purebred bull located far from the cow chosen for insemination. Sperm is frozen and transported without loss of quality to any distance.
4. To obtain calves from an elderly bull, which itself can no longer mount a cow.
5. To reduce the likelihood of spreading sexually transmitted infections. Sperm taken from a bull must be examined in the laboratory for the presence of pathogenic microorganisms.

Insemination begins when the cow begins to estrus, manifested by restless behavior, swelling and redness of the external genitalia, and secretion of cervical mucus.

Advantages and disadvantages

Methods of artificial insemination

When developing methods for inseminating livestock, the functional and structural features of the cow’s reproductive organs were taken into account:

1. Cow fertilization is vaginal. The cervix, contracting, draws sperm into itself, accumulates it, and then releases it in portions into the uterus. Therefore, seminal fluid is injected into the vaginal area close to the vaginal part of the cervix. A serving must contain at least 10 million active sperm.
2. During natural mating, the bull introduces a large number of sperm into the cow’s vagina; during artificial insemination, the percentage of male cells is much lower. Only 5% of sperm survive and accumulate in the cervix. Therefore, during artificial insemination, a full portion of sperm is injected directly into the cervix.
3. In a cow that has given birth, the vaginal walls are stretched and pockets form in them. Therefore, the specialist must know exactly the location of the cervix.

Taking these nuances into account, 4 methods of fertilizing a cow are used.

Manocervical technique

Translated from Greek, “mano” means hand, and “cervix” means cervix. That is, this is insemination in which the location of the cervix is ​​controlled by the hand inserted into the vagina. The method is used to fertilize females who have given birth. The technique is not suitable for inseminating a cow with a narrow vaginal opening. The probability of successful fertilization is 65-70%.

Visocervical

A convenient insemination technique is when the cervical canal, through which the catheter is advanced to the cervix, is viewed using a mirror. From the Greek “viso” - to look. The probability of fertilization with the visocervical method is 50-60%.

Rectocervical

From Greek “recta” is translated as “rectum”. That is, the insemination method involves monitoring the position of the cervix by palpating through the intestines. It is good because it allows you to inject seminal fluid into the cervix with maximum precision, and then immediately massage the cow’s reproductive organs.

The specialist requires high qualifications and experience in performing the procedure, since the risk of injury to the cervix due to careless immersion of the catheter is higher than with the visocervical method. The probability of fertilization is above 70%.

Epicervical

From the Greek "epi" is translated as "about". This involves introducing seminal fluid as close to the cervix as possible. That is, natural fertilization is imitated, in which sperm comes out of the bull’s genital organ close to the vaginal area of ​​the cervix.

The length of the catheter is almost equal to the distance from the entrance to the vagina to the cervix. To stimulate the contraction of the cervix to absorb sperm, the clitoris is massaged. The probability of conception is 60-70%.

What tools are needed?

For insemination using the visocervical method, a catheter is required for introducing sperm and a speculum for viewing the vaginal canal. The advantage of visocervical fertilization is good visibility of where to guide the catheter, thereby reducing the likelihood of injury to the vaginal walls.

The instruments used are disinfected before the procedure. For disinfection, prepare 4 containers with lids and a glass jar with thick walls into which the used solutions will be poured. The containers are labeled and filled with the following medications:

• No. 1, 3, 4 – 1% sodium chloride;
• No. 2 – 70% alcohol.

Solutions are prepared immediately before use.

The insemination specialist, going to the pets, puts on:

• medical cap;
• medical gown;
• oilcloth apron;
• rubber boots;
• medical disposable mask.

Clothes must be washed and ironed, shoes must be clean.

Preparation for the process

Preparation for insemination using the vizocervical method consists of several stages:

1. The catheter is washed 3 times in solutions No. 1, 3, 4. Placed on a sterile cloth.
2. The used liquid is poured into a jar.
3. Use alcohol No. 2 to sterilize the mirror and scissors. The mirror is also burned over an open flame.
4. The container with seminal fluid is depressurized with scissors. The contents are filled into the catheter.
5. They press on the catheter piston, squeezing out the air.
6. The catheter is placed on the table so that the cannula faces upward.
7. Wearing gloves for insemination, treat them with alcohol No. 2.
8. Before starting the procedure, wash the mirror again with solution No. 1. It shouldn't be cold.

The cow is also prepared for visocervical insemination, immobilized in the pen, the external genitalia are washed with warm water, treated with a solution of the drug “Furacilin”, and wiped thoroughly.

Scheme of implementation

Visocervical insemination of a cow is carried out as follows:

1. The labia are parted. Place a speculum into the vagina so that the arms diverge horizontally. The inserted instrument is turned over so that the handles diverge vertically and opened.
2. Find the cervix.Insert the catheter into it to a depth of about 5 cm. Slightly move the mirror toward you. By slowly pressing on the piston, seminal fluid is injected.
3. They take out the catheter. The speculum is turned over horizontally, not closed completely so as not to pinch the vaginal mucous tissue, and carefully pulled out.
4. The catheter is washed in liquid No. 1, then in alcohol No. 2. The inside of the catheter is filled with alcohol and sent to a storage location.
5. The mirror is washed in a 3% warm solution of sodium bicarbonate, then in boiled water. Burn over an open flame.

When visocervical insemination of several cows at once, after each injection of sperm, the head of the catheter is disinfected with a cotton swab moistened with 90% alcohol.

Features of keeping cows after insemination

After visocervical insemination, it is important to ensure the cleanliness of the cow's genitals. Inseminated females are kept separate from the rest of the herd and not exposed to stress. The stall should be clean and dry.

The cow is fed regular food, but the portion should be larger than usual. After 2 weeks, the animal is reunited with the herd.

Signs of successful insemination

You can tell if a cow is pregnant after 10 days. A pregnant female drives a bull away from her. If 25 days after visocervical insemination there is no estrus, then after 9 months you can expect offspring. 20 days after the visocervical procedure, pregnancy in a cow can be confirmed in the laboratory. The pet's blood is taken to analyze the progesterone concentration. Pregnancy is signaled by increased levels of the hormone.

A cow that does not become pregnant after 4 inseminations is sent to slaughter because its reproductive system is not functioning.

Possible errors and difficulties

Inexperienced inseminators should remember what mistakes should not be made during the process of visocervical insemination:

1. Ignore hygiene rules. Work in dirty clothes and shoes.
2. Carry out the procedure outside a specially equipped room, without maintaining sterility.
3. Use unsterilized instruments.
4. Touch the catheter with your fingers (lubricant for veterinary gloves destroys sperm).
5. Store sperm without freezing. Or defrost it periodically (this reduces the viability of sperm).
6. Insert the catheter carelessly, pointing it upward 30° (so you can bury yourself in the urethra).
7. Insert the catheter too deeply (this can injure the wall of the uterus).
8. Inject semen into the vaginal pouches instead of the cervix (the inseminator must have a good knowledge of the anatomy of the reproductive organs of cattle).

Visocervical insemination of a cow is not an easy procedure, requiring knowledge and skills; the farmer should not carry it out on his own. Artificial insemination must be carried out by a veterinary specialist at equipped insemination points.