Artificial Artificial InseminationInsemination

Knocking up the cowsKnocking up the cows

What is Artificial What is Artificial Insemination?Insemination? Artificial Insemination or AI is the Artificial Insemination or AI is the

process of injecting sperm from a process of injecting sperm from a male into a female to induce male into a female to induce fertilization. fertilization.

Basically it makes babies without sex.Basically it makes babies without sex.

History of AIHistory of AI

AI dates back to 1322 AD where AI dates back to 1322 AD where Arabian horses were artificially Arabian horses were artificially inseminated. inseminated.

1780 notes the first successful AI 1780 notes the first successful AI of dogs. of dogs.

1899 AI is used in birds, cattle, 1899 AI is used in birds, cattle, horses and sheep.horses and sheep.

Why use AI?Why use AI?

AI is the cheapest and easiest AI is the cheapest and easiest way to get sperm from the bull way to get sperm from the bull you want to your farm.you want to your farm.

For example: If there is a prize bull For example: If there is a prize bull in Saskatchewan and your farm is in Saskatchewan and your farm is in NS, then you can simply have in NS, then you can simply have the sperm sent to NS. This avoids the sperm sent to NS. This avoids having to bridge the distance having to bridge the distance between cow and bull for mating between cow and bull for mating purposes. purposes.

Advantages of AI over Advantages of AI over sexsex The number of cows that can The number of cows that can

become pregnant by a particular become pregnant by a particular bull goes from 100 to 60,000 bull goes from 100 to 60,000 using AI instead of sex.using AI instead of sex.

AI prevents the spread of AI prevents the spread of dangerous sexually transmitted dangerous sexually transmitted infections.infections.

Advantages Cont’dAdvantages Cont’d

With AI you can easily find out if a With AI you can easily find out if a bull is infertile (can’t make babies).bull is infertile (can’t make babies).

Old or crippled bulls who may not Old or crippled bulls who may not be able to mate properly can be able to mate properly can donate sperm.donate sperm.

Eliminates danger of handling Eliminates danger of handling difficult bulls during the mating difficult bulls during the mating process.process.

Uh-oh. DisadvantagesUh-oh. Disadvantages

Humans have to detect when the cow Humans have to detect when the cow is in heat because the sperm must be is in heat because the sperm must be injected at precisely the right time.injected at precisely the right time.

The sperm can be injected incorrectly The sperm can be injected incorrectly resulting in no fertilization.resulting in no fertilization.

Using only a few bulls to reproduce Using only a few bulls to reproduce many herds can weaken the genetic many herds can weaken the genetic base of cattle—make it easier for base of cattle—make it easier for them to get sick.them to get sick.

How does AI work?How does AI work?

Step 1: Collection of semen.Step 1: Collection of semen.

To induce arousal of the bull, a “Teaser” To induce arousal of the bull, a “Teaser” cow is set up. The bull mounts the cow is set up. The bull mounts the fake cow and releases sperm into a fake cow and releases sperm into a tube that leads to a bottle. tube that leads to a bottle.

How does AI work How does AI work cont’dcont’d

Step 2 Semen Extension:Step 2 Semen Extension:

Once the semen is collected, water Once the semen is collected, water is added to it. This dilutes the is added to it. This dilutes the semen and allows more bottles to semen and allows more bottles to be made from 1 ejaculation.be made from 1 ejaculation.

Antibiotics are added to ensure no Antibiotics are added to ensure no infections occur in the semen.infections occur in the semen.

How does AI work How does AI work cont’dcont’d

Step 3: Semen StorageStep 3: Semen Storage

The semen is frozen and stored for The semen is frozen and stored for up to 16 years. Although most of up to 16 years. Although most of it is used much sooner than that.it is used much sooner than that.

How does AI work How does AI work cont’dcont’d

Step 4: Inseminating the CowStep 4: Inseminating the Cow

When the timing is right, a When the timing is right, a veterinarian or AI specialist will veterinarian or AI specialist will inject the sperm into the vagina of inject the sperm into the vagina of the cow and push it into the uterus. the cow and push it into the uterus.

Nine Months Later…Nine Months Later…

Once the sperm has been injected Once the sperm has been injected the chances of fertilization are the chances of fertilization are good. With any luck, nine months good. With any luck, nine months later a calf will be born.later a calf will be born.