Artificial Insemination in Goats
In goat production, this technique has been limited to mostly dairy goat herds. However, meat goat producers have
shown interest in learning this technique to accelerate genetic gain in their herds. Sterility in males is a major
cause as to why AI needs to be adopted and propagated in goats on a large scale. Normally, a middle-aged buck
donates 1 to 3 ml of semen, sometimes up to 5 ml. But semen quality is normally good when the volume is in 1 to 2
ml range. Semen is white to lemon-cream and varies in viscosity depending on concentration. Motility of good
spermatozoa is greater than of bull spermatozoa, hence a different motility scoring pattern is recommended. The
sperm count procedure is essentially the same. A minimum concentration of 2,000 x 106 spermatozoa per ml of
ejaculate effects conception rate. Morphological defects are often seen with goat spermatozoa. Normally ejaculates
with less than 10 per cent spermatozoa abnormality are capable of fertilization.
High temperature and humidity affect the semen quality in bucks. The reaction time varies from 63 to 160 seconds
and there is seasonally. Though Artificial Vagina method is widely used for semen collection, semen of good
quality is obtainable through electric stimulation. Buck semen is very sensitive to cold shock. Yolk —
citrate-based extenders are widely used to extend the semen to 1:10 and up to 1:15 also. Spermasol with yolk (1:6
dilution) and sulpha compounds for antibiotics are used to improve the keeping quality. Speculum is invariably in
use for AI. The conception rate and the number of inseminations required vary from season to season. One to four
inseminations are practiced. Conception rate of 93-1 per cent with 3-day-old semen in spermasol—egg-yolk extender
has been reported. But normally the quality is not kept up to that time in many cases. Now frozen semen is also
being used.
Advantages of AI
- AI is the best way to spread elite genetic material throughout a population. Semen can be collected from top
bucks, frozen, and then transported throughout the world where it can be utilized by large populations to
facilitate progeny testing. Progeny testing involves breeding offspring to determine their genetic merit.
- AI helps producers to utilize their prize bucks that may be physically injured and unable to mate.
- AI allows producers to increase their herds without purchasing and maintaining bucks or losing them to
predators, injury, or illness.
- AI is effective in controlling diseases.
- AI is an important breed preservation process.
Disadvantages of AI
- The technician must be well trained in the anatomy, function, and regulation of the doe reproductive tract to
manipulate the reproductive function and estrus synchronization.
- AI requires special equipment and facilities.
- It requires a great deal of time to check heat that is crucial for a successful process. On average, a doe's
heat phase lasts for 12 to 48 hours.
- AI increases capacity to disseminate undesirable genes in a population.
Steps to Conduct Intrauterine AI in Does with Frozen Semen
- Identify the doe in heat and certify the correct time for AI.
- For a better access to the doe's cervical os, place doe in the stand, with the back legs up, raising its back
and leaving its front legs in support and its neck and head toward the ground.
- If needed, wash the doe's vulva with clean water to remove any dirt, and dry the area with a clean paper
towel.
- Introduce the vaginal speculum and be sure to check for the appropriately-sized speculum. If needed, apply a
nonspermicidal lubricant or petroleum jelly to facilitate the introduction of the speculum in the vagina. To
introduce the speculum, open the labia of the vulva with one hand and with the other hand, gently introduce the
thinner extremity of the speculum.
- As soon as it is introduced in the vagina, use a little pressure to orient the speculum toward and down to the
vaginal floor. Use light source to visualize the cervical os. Be sure to distinguish the cervical os from the
pleats of the vagina.
- Examine mucus consistency and, if needed, remove excessive vaginal mucus with the speculum.
- If it is time for AI ¬ Determine which buck the doe should be inseminated to before thawing the semen.
- Thaw the semen. Prior to thawing the semen, use a thermometer to check for water temperature (95 to 98° F)
before withdrawing the straw from the tank. Never lift a canister above the frost line of the tank. When the
straw is removed with a forcep or tweezer from the tank it should be placed immediately in the thaw bath.
- Do not expose semen to direct sun light.
- Do not refreeze semen that has been thawed.
- Remove straw from the tank for periods as brief as 5 seconds. If you cannot remove the straw at the first
attempt, lower the caner back to the bottom of the tank for at least 30 seconds before trying again. Stay out of
direct sunlight because ultraviolet light has a spermicidal effect that will kill the sperm cells.
- Rapidly deposit the straw in the thaw bath to protect it from the sunlight.
- Warm the barrel of the straw gun.
- Dry the straw with a clean paper towel.
- Cut the correct extremity of the straw or the opposite side of the cotton plug.
- Insert straw into gun; be sure to protect the straw from the sunlight and extreme temperatures.
- Place the plastic sheath over the gun barrel.
- Return to the doe, introduce a clean vaginal speculum, and remove excess mucus.
- Introduce the gun into the vagina to the direction of the cervical os, passing the gun through cervical rings
until it reaches the uterine lumen, the interior of the uterus. If the operator encounters resistance in
accessing the interior of the uterus, deposit the semen in the exterior of cervix, and make a note of this in
your records.
- Remove the gun speculum and leave the doe for a few minutes in the standing position before releasing her.
- Observe if reflux of the semen to the gun occurred.
- If possible, use a microscope to check for semen left in the straw. Check for sperm motility.
- Release the doe from the AI stand gently. Record information from empty straw before discarding.
Keep records of the following:
- Day and time of heat detection
- Date and time of AI
- Technician
- Doe and buck's ID by breed and name
- Straw identification by date when semen was frozen and processed
