Artificial Insemination Dog Near Me? 300 Most Correct Answers

June 18, 2019

What is involved and what are the benefits?

Artificial insemination (AI) is becoming an increasingly common tool in the Australian beef industry. Once thought to be limited to use in the stud industry, it has rapidly gained popularity among commercial beef producers over the past decade.

There are a number of benefits to be gained from using AI programs in your herd, including the following:

Access to Superior Genetics – Bull prices have increased significantly in recent years. This has severely limited access to advanced genetics. AI offers greater opportunities to get offspring from top bulls by buying semen ($20-50/straw) instead of having to buy the bull itself. Additionally, seed can be sourced from Australia and even around the world – genetics that would otherwise not be available.

– In recent years, bull market prices have risen sharply. This has severely limited access to advanced genetics. AI offers greater opportunities to get offspring from top bulls by buying semen ($20-50/straw) instead of having to buy the bull itself. Additionally, seed can be sourced from Australia and even around the world – genetics that would otherwise not be available. Access to Proven Genetics – Typically bulls are bought at a young age before they have offspring on the ground. This means that most are bought unchecked and unfortunately many will not produce the type of offspring hoped for. In contrast, semen can be purchased from a proven father, which can increase offspring predictability and reduce risk.

– Typically bulls are bought at a young age before they have offspring on the ground. This means that most are bought unchecked and unfortunately many will not produce the type of offspring hoped for. In contrast, semen can be purchased from a proven father, which can increase offspring predictability and reduce risk. Getting better calves from heifers – Typically producers use very low birth weight sires over their heifers to reduce calving problems – these sires are often also low weaning weight sires and the majority of the offspring are often culled despite heifers having the best genetics in the herd represent. Using an AI program for heifers can select a sire with accurate EBVs and proven results with low birth weight and moderate to high growth rate, ensuring the offspring are suitable for herd management. Sale animals can be over 20kg heavier at the point of sale than a typical “heifer bull” = 15 x $3 = $60+/head

– Typically, producers use very low birth weight sires for their heifers to reduce calving problems – these sires are often also low weaning weight sires and the majority of the offspring are often culled even though heifers represent the best genetics in the herd. Using an AI program for heifers can select a sire with accurate EBVs and proven results with low birth weight and moderate to high growth rate, ensuring the offspring are suitable for herd management. Sale animals can be more than 20kg heavier at point of sale than a typical “heifer bull” = 15 x $3 = Improved Genetic Conversion – By retaining a much larger percentage of offspring from heifers, the genetic conversion can be shortened from 3 years (one female 2nd calf) to 2 years – an improvement of 50%.

– By retaining a much larger percentage of offspring from heifers, the genetic turnaround can be reduced from 3 years (a 2 female calves) to 2 years – a 50% improvement. Increased Use of Own Bulls – Semen can be collected from your own bull and used in an AI program while simultaneously mating the bull to another group of cows. This option can be especially attractive if you buy expensive bulls in order to increase the number of offspring obtained from him.

– Semen can be collected from your own bull and used in an AI program while simultaneously mating the bull to another group of cows. This option can be especially attractive if you buy expensive bulls in order to increase the number of offspring obtained from him. Increased selection pressure on fertility – In most beef production systems, fertility is the number 1 profitability driver. In order to improve a herd’s fertility, selection pressure must be applied (e.g. selling females that do not raise a calf per year). An AI program is a great way to select the most fertile heifers in a cohort, which will then transition into the cow herd for years to come.

– In most beef production systems, fertility is the most important factor affecting profitability. In order to improve the fertility of a herd, selection pressure must be applied (e.g. selling females that do not raise a calf per year). An AI program is a great way to select the most fertile heifers in a cohort, which will then transition into the cow herd for years to come. Females are Prepared for Future Years – By putting heifers through an AI program, they are in a better position to remain in the herd for years to come. While adult cows take an average of 55 days to conceive again after calving, it can take a month longer for heifers. This doesn’t leave much room for the heifers to come back into the calving phase in a narrow post-calving window. In an AI program, heifers can be admitted a few weeks before the cow herd and most heifers calve in the first week of the calving period. This gives them a few extra weeks to start cycling again and conceive early in the subsequent joining period. This will help your females stay part of your herd longer.

– By subjecting heifers to an AI program, they are better able to stay in the herd longer. While adult cows take an average of 55 days to conceive again after calving, it can take a month longer for heifers. This doesn’t leave much room for the heifers to come back into the calving phase in a narrow post-calving window. In an AI program, heifers can be admitted a few weeks before the cow herd and most heifers calve in the first week of the calving period. This gives them a few extra weeks to start cycling again and conceive early in the subsequent joining period. This will help your females stay part of your herd longer. High proportion of calves born early in calving – the average gestation period for heifers in an AI program is generally shorter than usual – therefore the majority have already calved at term. The result is a shorter calving window and a more consistent age/size of calves, which has advantages at tagging and weaning (fewer younger animals that could have problems) and at the point of sale. On average, calves in an AI program are 10.5 days older = 10 kg x $3 = $30/calf born

– The average gestation length of heifers in an AI program is generally shorter than usual – therefore the majority have already calved by the due date. The result is a shorter calving window and a more consistent age/size of calves, which has advantages at tagging and weaning (fewer younger animals that could have problems) and at the point of sale. On average, calves in an AI program are 10.5 days older = 10kg x $3 = more predictable calving – as mentioned above, most calves are born in a short time in a hurry, reducing the time spent monitoring the heifers.

– As mentioned above, most calves are born in a hurry over a short period of time, reducing the time spent monitoring the heifers. Less Calving Difficulty – By selecting proven sires with low birth weight and good calving ease numbers, there are generally far fewer calving problems. Additionally, gestation lengths in AI females are typically shorter, further helping to reduce birth weight.

– By selecting proven sires with low birth weight and good calving ease, there are generally far fewer problems at calving time. Additionally, gestation lengths in AI females are typically shorter, further helping to reduce birth weight. Improved Female Handling – Running heifers around the farm multiple times in a short period of time will go a long way towards improving their temperament and ease of handling for the rest of their lives.

– Taking heifers through the barn several times in a short period of time goes a long way to improving their temperament and handling for the rest of their lives. Improved Heifer Growth/Condition – Since heifer condition and weight are critical to the outcome of an AI program, more attention is generally paid to ensure that they meet targets. This often results in heifers growing better than they otherwise would have, which in turn supports second calving conception rates.

What is included in an AI program?

Artificial insemination involves, firstly, the process of synchronizing the females in the program with all cycles at the same time, and secondly, the insemination itself. There are a number of different protocols that vary depending on age/condition/time of insemination/etc. can change. A typical log might look something like this:

Day 0 – Include CIDRs + Bomerol injection

Day 8 – Remove CIDR + PG injection

Day 9 – Bomerol injection

Day 10 – Fertilization

As can be seen, there is a large amount of work to be done over a short period of time with minimal flexibility to change dates/times. Therefore, it is important that labor availability and the ability to process cattle on time be considered before embarking on an AI program.

Success rates of AI programs vary widely and depend on a number of factors. As a basic guide we would suggest that 50-60% pregnancy would be satisfactory, 60-70% would be a good result and over 70% would be an excellent result.

Generally, surrogate bulls are introduced from 10 days post insemination (empty animals are recycled 17–24 days post insemination) and can be left in for 1–3 cycles. In many cases, when more than 80% of the bitches from the AI ​​and the first cycle replacement bulls combined are pregnant, the decision can be made to sell the rest. This essentially leaves a 3-4 week transition period and a narrow calving interval in the following year.

As mentioned earlier, there are a number of factors that can affect the outcome of an AI program. The most important of these relates to the maturity and condition of the females. In most commercial settings, KB programs are generally used on heifers as they do not have calves on their feet which can make handling etc difficult. It is therefore imperative that these heifers have reached sexual maturity before AI. As a general guide, heifers must be at least about 60% of adult cow weight (330 kg with an MCW of 550 kg). This is a minimum and ideally the average weight of the heifers is 380kg+. Pre-program nutrition is also important and bitches should have a good body condition score and be on an increasing diet.

In most situations, heifers are brought to calve when they are 2 years old. Therefore, time is of the essence to get them to an appropriate weight before they come to the AI ​​at 15 months of age. It is important to make an assessment several months in advance, taking into account the weight of the animals and the likely amount of feed that will be available. Weighing the heifers in April/May prior to the September/October merge is a valuable tool to assess where the heifers are. Required daily weight gains can be easily calculated and required feed +/- supplementation can be determined.

What is the cost of an AI program?

The costs associated with an AI program can be broken down as follows:

Seed Cost – This is the most variable cost involved and often ranges from $10 to $50 per straw of seed depending on the stud and bull chosen. It’s up to the clients to source the sperm that will be used in their AI program. We can then organize transport to the clinic for storage in our liquid nitrogen canisters. Medication – we supply all the medication you need, including the progesterone implant and all the injections. With the standard heifer protocol, the drug cost is $25-35/head depending on the program used. Labor (Veterinary) – the cost per capita for the actual insemination is $120 (GST Incl.). This rate can increase in very small programs (<25 pieces). In addition, a visit may be required at the beginning of the program to insert the progesterone machines. This process is relatively easy and after a short demonstration, most producers are comfortable doing it themselves. Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss further details if you think an AI program would be appropriate for your operation either this year or in the future.

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Artificial insemination in dogs

Reproduction in dogs can be either planned as part of a breeding program or accidental. In any case, most breeding is successful and results in the birth of healthy puppies. In some dogs, natural breeding is unsuccessful and artificial methods are required.

Artificial insemination (AI) is the process of collecting semen and placing it artificially in the vagina of the susceptible dog. AI is reserved for valuable purebred dogs that cannot conceive naturally due to various problems. In the bitch, an abnormal vulva or vaginal shape, such as B. a narrowing, exclude a coitus. Bitches can also be aggressive towards the intended father and not allow breeding for some reason. In males, a low sex drive, weakness or pain when mounting due to arthritis or prostate disease, or aggression towards the female may lead to the need for artificial insemination.

Another common reason for artificial insemination in breeding programs is the geographic separation of the mother and father. For champion stud dogs, the semen can be frozen and shipped across the country, especially if transporting the bitch to the dog’s territory is not possible.

Semen collection in dogs

For successful insemination, the semen must be collected and properly handled and introduced into the female. Sperm can be used fresh, chilled and used within 24 hours, or frozen. The more the semen is processed, the less likely it is to result in fertilization.

With fresh and chilled semen, the first thing to do is determine if the female is receptive and about to ovulate. After this determination, the semen can be collected by manual stimulation.

The most successful semen collection begins with the introduction of a teaser bitch—a bitch in heat that is not intended to be bred that day—or a bitch with topical pheromone. This increases the success of the stimulation and leads to a higher quality of semen. However, teasers are not required and the collection can be done without them.

If a teaser is used, the male is allowed to sniff around the back area and mount the female. The bitch should be muzzled and tied tightly. Once the bitch is mounted, the person collecting the semen grasps the penis firmly through the foreskin (vagina) and begins a quick massage. If a teaser is not used, the person collecting the semen begins the process by grasping the penis and beginning the massage.

The rest of the procedure is the same. The penis must not enter the teaser vagina. When the penis is erect, the foreskin is pushed back and a preformed rubber collection cone with attached collection tube is slipped over the penis. The penis and collecting cone are held firmly in place with the collector’s hands, stimulating the female’s contraction during normal breeding.

Ejaculation occurs in 3 parts. The first part is a small amount of clean liquid that does not contain sperm. The next part is the sperm-rich cloudy liquid. Typically, vigorous thrusting is associated with this part of ejaculation, resulting in 0.5 to 3 ml of semen. The final phase of ejaculation is the addition of clear prostatic fluid. If the ejaculate is to be used immediately, the prostatic fluid is allowed to mix with the remaining semen. If the semen is stored for a longer period of time, the collection cone is removed as soon as the prostate fluid begins to drain. The presence of prostatic fluid in stored semen leads to decreased sperm motility and reduced fertility.

The amount of semen required to have the best chance of successful fertilization depends on the size of the female.

Bitches under 5 kg require 1.5 to 3 ml of semen per insemination.

For bitches from 10 to 50 pounds (5 to 25 kg), 3 to 5 ml of semen is required.

For bitches over 25 kg, 5 to 8 ml of semen are required. After semen collection, a semen extender can be added to nourish the semen and achieve the required amount of semen. For samples to be used within 24 hours but not immediately, a stretching liquid is added to protect and nourish the sperm. This sample is then refrigerated and must be used within 24 hours. For samples destined for freezing, a different type of extension is added to protect the sperm from the effects of freezing. After the removal cone is carefully removed from the erect penis, ensure that the penis returns to its normal size and is reinserted into the foreskin. Before insemination, the semen must be examined for quality. Over 70 percent of the sperm must have normal forward motility, which equates to 150 to 200,000 normal-appearing sperm per sample.

Bitch preparing for artificial insemination

Knowing exactly when to inseminate the female can be quite tricky and if not done correctly, fertilization will not occur. In traditional natural mating breeding programs, the bitch is mated at least three times on days 9, 11, and 13 after the vulva begins to swell and bloody discharge is seen. On average, bitches tend to ovulate on the 12th day after the onset of vulvar swelling. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and some female dogs may require alternative methods of conceiving. The breeding goal is to inseminate the bitch four days before ovulation and then every two days until the final insemination two days after ovulation. Insemination two days after ovulation results in the maximum litter size.

Determining ovulation can be done in a number of ways. Traditionally, tissue cells of the vagina are examined under a microscope. The appearance of these cells can be used to estimate the time of ovulation. Unfortunately, this is not the most accurate way to determine ovulation.

Measuring progesterone levels is much more accurate, but time consuming and daily monitoring during the oestrus cycle is not always practical or affordable. The hormone progesterone can be measured in the blood. The most accurate measurements can effectively predict ovulation, but these tests are done in a lab. A hospital version of the progesterone level test is available which can give the user a rough idea of ​​when ovulation will occur.

A combination of the two methods has a pretty good success rate. About 4 to 5 days after the onset of vulva swelling and bloody discharge, the cells of the vagina should be examined daily. Once 80 percent of these cells have the typical keratinized appearance, indicating that ovulation is imminent, blood samples are taken every 2 to 3 days to measure progesterone levels. If the number of inseminations is not limited, then the first insemination is carried out at this time. If only one insemination is possible, this should take place 2 days after ovulation.

A further evaluation of the vaginal cells is no longer necessary. Blood samples should be checked for progesterone levels every 2 to 3 days and fertilization will take place. Once progesterone levels reach ovulation levels, a final insemination occurs 2 days later. The pregnancy can then be confirmed with an ultrasound about 25 days later.

Progesterone levels can be determined either by a laboratory or by an in-hospital test kit. The laboratory can provide specific values ​​for progesterone levels. The in-hospital test kit can show progesterone levels by color changes.

In laboratory tests, serum progesterone is typically below 1 ng/ml up to 2 days before ovulation. At this point, progesterone levels rise to 1 to 2 ng/ml. On the following day (one day before ovulation), the progesterone level is 2 to 4 ng/ml. On the day of ovulation, progesterone is 4 to 10 ng/ml. After ovulation, progesterone levels rise rapidly and can range from 15 to 90 ng/ml.

For the in-hospital test, there are sample color changes that can help give an approximate indication of where the dog is in the ovulation process.

Process of dog insemination

Insemination is similar for fresh and chilled semen, but slightly different for frozen semen. This is due to the lifespan of the seed once processed. Frozen semen can only be kept for a few hours after thawing and insemination. Chilled semen lives in the bitch for about 5 days and fresh semen for about 6 days. Because frozen sperm has such a short lifespan, there must be an ovum ready for fertilization at the time of fertilization for fertilization to occur.

After preparation, the semen can be deposited either in the vagina just in front of the cervix or directly in the uterus. Samples that are placed just in front of the cervix achieve the best results.

Delivering semen to the correct area of ​​the reproductive tract requires special equipment. Long pipettes are recommended. Commercially made canine insemination pipettes are available for small and medium-sized dogs. For large breed dogs, these pipettes are too short, so modified pipettes used on cattle are often used. Some people opt for balloon catheters, but the eyedropper is the most commonly used.

To start the fertilization process, the male should not be close to the female. Hold the bitch in a standing position. Draw the appropriate amount of semen into a sterile syringe and attach it to the appropriate pipette. The dropper is then inserted into the upper vagina through a gloved, lubricated finger inserted into the vaginal canal. After positioning, the seed is deposited. The syringe is then filled with air, which is used to inject any remaining semen left in the dropper after the syringe was squeezed the first time. The eyedropper is then removed, but the finger is not. The vaginal wall is stimulated for a few minutes with the inserted finger. This should cause the vagina to contract, which will help push the semen into the uterus. After stimulation, the finger is removed. At this point, the dog’s rear end is raised for 5 to 10 minutes. Don’t press on your stomach. Lift the dog by grabbing the bottom hind legs and lifting up. Don’t let the dog crouch. After being elevated for 5 to 10 minutes, she can walk around but not urinate or jump for 30 to 60 minutes. After an hour, she can return to her normal activity.

In selected cases, surgical insemination can also be performed. After the uterus is surgically exposed, the semen sample is inserted into the uterus using a needle and syringe. This is not the most effective method of insemination but may be necessary in very valuable dogs where puppies are in high demand.

Results of AI in dogs

With natural breeding (assuming 3 broods in a heat cycle), the pregnancy success rate is 80 to 95 percent.

When inseminated with fresh semen, 62 to 100 percent success rate

59 to 80 percent success rate for AI with chilled sperm

In artificial insemination using frozen sperm placed in the vagina, 52 to 60 percent success rate

For AI with frozen sperm placed in the uterus, success rate from 0 to 80 percent

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Artificial insemination (AI) has opened up a new world of possibilities in terms of dog breeding. While natural breeding is nature’s best breeding method, AI is becoming the order of the day. It offers advantages that natural mating lacks. The biggest is the fact that breeding can take place anywhere in the world without having to transport dogs to mate. If you are a breeder wanting to go down this route, there is no reason not to. As long as you have the right information about what you’re getting yourself into, you’ll do well. To help you, we’ve put together a guide to how often to fertilize a dog.

What is artificial insemination?

AI has been used primarily on cattle for centuries. Dog breeders were initially shy about using the procedure, but the trend has now caught on in the canine world. This was fueled by increased demand for artificial insemination and advances in seed technology. Simply put, this is the process of breeding dogs without mating by inserting semen into the mother’s vagina when she ovulates to facilitate conception.

The AI ​​is all about choosing the right man to harvest seeds from. He should have the desired personality, intelligence and other qualities. Once he’s chosen, a female teaser will be brought near him. If no female is in heat, a cotton swab scented with a female in heat can be used to arouse the male. When he attempts to mount a female, his penis is then diverted into an artificial vagina from which the semen is extracted.

The seed can be used immediately, chilled in the refrigerator, or frozen. To use it, a syringe with the semen is inserted into the bitch’s cervix during ovulation. Fertilization can also be done surgically or through an extended transcervical endoscope.

Benefits of AI

AI is beneficial as it brings convenience to breeders looking to diversify their genetic pool. In the past, a female had to be transported across borders to mate with the desired male. Now male dog semen can be harvested, stored and transported from any part of the universe. Expanding the genetic pool is especially beneficial for dog breeds that are found in small numbers in certain geographic locations.

AI also allows breeders to improve kennel genetics. You have access to a plethora of options, even seeds from deceased dogs. The procedure also allows the sperm to be examined for abnormalities and fertility. It also prevents sexually transmitted diseases.

Success rate of artificial insemination in dogs

According to an article in BBC News, the success rate of AI is over 50%. This is an average success rate, but the actual number depends on the quality of the seed. Fresh semen is essentially the best. When a skilled and experienced breeder performs the procedure, the success rate is around 80%. This drops to 59% – 80% when the seed is refrigerated and 52% – 60% when it is frozen. Storing semen can affect sperm viability and ultimately the breeding outcome. Frozen semen is processed before being mixed with a preservative and then frozen with liquid nitrogen. This process can greatly affect its quality.

With AI, timing is everything. The fertile window period is rather narrow. You only have a few days to breed the dog. For fresh semen, AI is best performed 2 days after ovulation, while frozen semen is administered 3-4 days after ovulation. There are several ways to determine if the dog is ovulating or not. The most common is the progesterone test, which is done every other day to get accurate results.

There are different opinions on how often a dog should be inseminated. According to this study published on PubMed, you get better results with two inseminations than with one insemination. 36 bitches inseminated with frozen semen took part in the study. Some were inseminated once, others twice with an interval of 1-2 days. The average conception rate was 67% with a litter size of 6.4. Animals fertilized once had a conception rate of 64%, and 69% for those fertilized twice.

Revival Animal Health recommends inseminating a dam every other day until the heat season is over. The oestrus period starts four days before ovulation and lasts until three days after ovulation. That gives a total of 7 days of possible breeding. If you do AI every other day, watch 3-4 inseminations at a time.

warning

How often the dog has to be inseminated depends heavily on the type of insemination. If you are hand-inserting sperm into the dam, you can afford to do the procedure every other day. However, if you go the surgical route, you can only do it once at a time. The surgery involves sedation and cutting open the dog. If you care about the puppy’s well-being, you don’t want to have him undergo more than one invasive procedure. Transcervical insemination is best performed once and includes sedation.

AI is a remarkable breeding technique in the canine world. It can change your world as a grower in so many ways. As long as you stick to the rules, you will have an amazing experience with it.

Image source: 1, 2

Canine “fertility clinics” are on the rise worldwide. “Artificial Insemination”, also known as “AI”, is also becoming increasingly popular in the breeding world. When it comes to dog breeding today, one of the main questions is, “By what method? In 2017, Kennel Club figures showed that approximately 1,152 puppies were born to KI. Exact current numbers are hard to come by, but one can only assume that number has continued to rise significantly. This article aims to delve into the world of canine AI and explore the reasons why dog ​​breeders are using it more and more.

What is AI?

Many dog ​​breeders aim to increase conception rates and litter sizes, and some breeders use AI to achieve this. Artificial insemination is a method of introducing semen (previously collected from a male stud dog) and depositing it into a bitch’s vagina or uterus during the most fertile time of her estrus cycle with the aim of conceiving a pregnancy. Chilled and frozen semen can be used. However, this article does not address the required collection or special storage/transportation methods. AI is not necessarily more successful than the natural method of mating as success is still very much dependent on targeting the ideal stage of ovulation during the oestrus cycle.

Practical aspects of canine AI

There are a few practical reasons why dog ​​breeders prefer AI as a breeding method over natural mating methods (this list is not exhaustive):

AI allows the use of semen from stud dogs worldwide. And eliminates the need to transport stud dogs around the globe to cover a bitch. Since the stud dog does not have to travel, there is no stress related to transport.

AI is sometimes chosen as the method of conception when there have been unsuccessful natural matings, no natural conception has been achieved, or when the bitch or stud dog is inexperienced.

Frozen semen offers the opportunity to pass on “superior” genetic traits from stud dogs that are no longer with us; This allows their desirable traits to be passed on to future litters.

AI reduces (although not completely eliminates) the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Since the AI ​​method eliminates physical contact, it will prevent the spread of infections and devastating diseases; such as brucellosis, canine herpesvirus (CHV) and canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVF).

In practice, AI can lead to an expansion of the gene pool as genetic traits are no longer confined to narrow geographic regions.

Canine AI weaknesses/disadvantages

There are also many concerns about the welfare and ethics of canine AI; and there are disadvantages to this breeding method (this list is not exhaustive either!):

There is a risk of direct physical or psychological trauma from the AI ​​process. Inexperienced or incorrect AI methods can lead to complications and infections. Surgical AI in particular carries a high risk of surgery. Some argue that this procedure is not in their best interest.

Because sperm can be frozen and used for many years to pass on certain genes, there is a risk of unwanted traits and genetic disorders being passed on for a very long time.

AI is sometimes a chosen method of breeding in bitches who cannot conceive naturally due to anatomical or breed specific reasons. Breeding these dogs with suspected hereditary traits using AI is a major welfare and ethical issue as there are clearly undesirable traits that are likely to be passed on to their offspring and potentially affect their health in the future.

Animal welfare remains highly topical as AI poses risks of transmitting hereditary diseases and conditions.

surgical method

You may be wondering what exactly is surgical AI? During surgical artificial insemination, the breeding bitch is put under general anesthesia and a wound/cut is made to gain access to her abdomen/stomach. The semen is then inserted directly into the uterus. Surgical AI can only be performed by a veterinarian.

For many years, surgical AI has raised many ethical concerns. Since 2019, surgical methods of assisted reproduction (except for very limited exceptional reasons) have been banned by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RVCS). Surgical artificial insemination is now considered banned in dogs by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The AI ​​surgical method has been described by many veterinarians as unethical, traumatic and now falls into the group of prohibited procedures within the mutilation procedures category. The Kennel Club will no longer register litters made using this method.

Non-surgical methods

There are two non-surgical methods of AI:

Transvaginal or intravaginal – fresh or chilled semen is introduced into the vaginal canal with an insemination pipette directly in front of the cervix. This is the most common method of AI in dogs and (apart from natural mating) the least invasive method.

Transcervical – here the fresh or frozen semen is placed directly into the uterus with special equipment through palpation or the use of an endoscope. Often this procedure is performed without sedation.

Of the two non-surgical AI methods, the transcervical is a more invasive method that is only performed by a veterinarian, but the literature suggests that it has a higher success rate than the transvaginal method.

regularities

Is artificial insemination in dogs legal in the UK? Yes, but only the non-surgical methods are legal.

Who Can Legally Perform Artificial Insemination on Dogs?

Only a veterinarian can legally perform the surgical AI method and the transcervical method as they are classified as “acts of veterinary surgery” and can be performed by appropriately competent laypersons.”

Conclusion

In summary, the global demand for artificial insemination is a growing market and there is a growing demand for chilled and frozen semen. I hope this article has adequately summarized the different methods of AI along with some pros and cons. If you are aspiring to or already involved in AI methods for dogs, please ensure that the AI ​​services are provided by professionals as I understand many inexperienced people are inappropriately providing fertility services and animal welfare must remain a priority.

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Disclaimer: This page is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Before following the instructions on this page, you should discuss this procedure and possible risks with a board-certified healthcare professional.

What is home insemination?

Home insemination is a method of achieving pregnancy without intercourse. This involves applying semen directly to the cervix using a needleless syringe or cervical cap. It is a popular alternative to other artificial insemination methods because it avoids high medical bills and allows you to be in the comfort and safety of your own home.

It’s important to note that before deciding on any method of insemination — especially DIY insemination — you should consult a fertility expert or other healthcare professional to make sure it’s right for you.

Who Should Consider Home Insemination?

This fertilization process works for anyone trying to conceive, but is especially convenient for people who may not be able to achieve pregnancy through intercourse. It is popular with single women and lesbian couples who wish to conceive using donor sperm. It’s also popular among the growing community of co-parents looking to raise a child in a platonic arrangement.

Advantages and risks of home insemination

Knowing how to fertilize at home with fresh sperm can save you a lot of money, but it’s not a perfect process and so it’s important to understand the benefits and risks before you start. However, home fertilization can offer you an inexpensive and reliable option that has similar success rates to intercourse. Here are the benefits:

Avoid large medical bills

Since home insemination takes place without medical assistance, the massive costs for the healthcare system are avoided. Though you lose the medical advice you might otherwise have, this process is extremely simple and therefore doesn’t require much, if any, assistance.

freedom and comfort

Artificial insemination at home means you can move at your own pace. Unlike the hassle of planning with a fertility clinic, you can start whenever and wherever you want. This can make the process far less stressful.

privacy

It’s not uncommon to feel a bit nervous about such an unfamiliar process. Being in your own home and away from strangers can relieve some stress. Also, a proven method for home insemination is orgasm after the semen is inserted. This can be very difficult in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable place.

As with any medical procedure, home insemination is not without its risks, although it is far safer than most other procedures. Here are the risks:

infection

This is just something to worry about if you’re reusing devices. Make sure you clean all of your tools before and after use as this will likely take a few tries. For this reason, it may be best to order some home artificial insemination kits to minimize the risk of infection.

Safety of Sperm Donation

Not all sperm banks do the same medical screening, so it’s important to know that the sperm you use is safe and has been screened. Otherwise, you or your baby may be at risk. Using a reliable sperm donor locator can help you ensure that the sperm donation is safe.

How to perform insemination at home

Performing home insemination is a very simple process using simple OTC supplies. This can be done in two ways:

Intracervical insemination (ICI)

ICI, also known as The Turkey Baster Method, is the most commonly used home insemination method. It uses a needleless syringe to inject sperm near the cervix.

tools required

Needleless syringe or oral medical syringe

condom or collection cup

These tools are available over the counter at any major pharmacy, or you can get them from your doctor. Make sure you buy a syringe with a plunger, not a plunger end.

Knowing how to fertilize at home with fresh sperm can save you a lot of money, but it’s not a perfect process and so it’s important to understand the benefits and risks before you start. However, home fertilization can offer you an inexpensive and reliable option that has similar success rates to intercourse. In fact, a recent clinical study proved that the Mosie Home Insemination Kit is as effective as a doctor-directed IUI (Intrauterine Insemination).

Steps of intracervical insemination (ICI):

Step 1: Have the man ejaculate into the condom or collection cup.

Step 2: Insert the syringe into the withdrawal device and slowly pull back the plunger.

Step 3: Assume a position on your back with your hips elevated (use a pillow under your hips if needed). Make sure this is a position you can stay in for at least 30 minutes.

Step 4: Gently insert the syringe into the vagina until it is close to the cervix. Avoid actually touching the cervix as it can be painful.

Step 5: Slowly push the plunger down to eject the sperm.

Step 6: To increase the success rate, try to have an orgasm. This can help the cervix pull sperm up.

Step 7: Thoroughly clean all your supplies.

*If using frozen semen, allow the vial to sit for 30 minutes to thaw, then hold under your armpit or other warm place to allow it to reach room temperature.

Cervical Cap

This method is similar to the Turkey Baster method, but involves leaving a cervical cap in the vagina for several hours. The cervical cap method is comfortable in that you can move after it is inserted. However, they need to be customized for one, which may incur unnecessary expense.

tools required

Cervical cap or cup instead

Cervical Cap Steps

Step 1: Allow the male to ejaculate into the cervical cup or into the cup instead

Step 2: Fold the cap to hold the sperm

Step 3: Find a comfortable position and insert the cervical cap close to the cervix

Step 4: Try to have an orgasm. Especially with the cervical cap method, this works best with a vibrator.

Step 5: Leave the cap on for 2-4 hours

*If using frozen semen, allow the vial to sit for 30 minutes to thaw, then hold under your armpit or other warm place to allow it to reach room temperature.

How to make home insemination successful

Similar to intercourse, home insemination kit success rates are around 10-15% per menstrual cycle. This assumes you’re doing home insemination at the peak times of your cycle. The success rate of at-home artificial insemination depends on whether you perform it during your fertile window.

There are a number of tools to help you with this. Ovulation tests are one of the best ways to identify fertile periods. A good ovulation predictor will allow you to do home insemination only during the fertile window.

As I mentioned above, orgasming shortly after semen has been inserted can help increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. While the science behind this is unclear, it definitely won’t hurt to try.

Home insemination with a sperm donor

If you are thinking about insemination at home, it is quite likely that you plan to use a sperm donor. Luckily, home insemination with fresh sperm is pretty much the same whether you use a donor or not. Simply draw the sperm straight out of the tube with the syringe.

If you are using frozen semen, the process is very similar even after the semen has been thawed. Be sure to check with the sperm bank to make sure they know how to properly thaw the sperm.

things you need. Women in heat

male dog

Artificial Vagina (Dog)

Plastic tube, ¼ inch diameter, as long as the bitch’s hind leg

Medical syringe without a needle

Tips Your local veterinarian can give you more information about your breed’s specifications.

Artificial insemination in dogs is common among dog breeders trying to contribute other traits to their breeds. A male is selected for his personality, intelligence, and ability to produce useful offspring and is mated with females, who are normally capable of breeding. In artificial insemination, semen is collected from a male or stud dog and then fed into the bitch’s reproductive system. This can be done at home or by a veterinarian.

Put the male and female dogs in one room together. Keep the artificial vagina close to the two dogs and let the male try to mount the female. When he starts to rise, the artificial vagina needs to be placed over the male penis to collect the semen.

Stimulating the penis by gently squeezing and creating a pulsating effect with the palm of your hand around the artificial vagina will induce the male dog to ejaculate.

Remove the male dog from the area so he does not attempt to mount the female.

Insert the end of the syringe with the medical syringe without a needle into the artificial vagina to remove the semen. To do this, make sure the plunger is all the way down before inserting the syringe into the artificial vagina. While inside the artificial vagina, slowly pull the plunger outward, which collects the semen in the barrel of the syringe.

Insert the 1.4 inch tube into the bitch’s vagina. The dog’s breed and size will determine how much of the tube should be inserted. For dogs weighing less than 5 pounds, it is best to have a vet perform the procedure. For small breeds like Spitz and Chihuahuas, insert the hose only 2 inches. For larger breeds such as Great Danes and German Shepherds, it is recommended that the hose be inserted only 5 inches.

Insert the syringe into the other end of the tube that will be inserted into the bitch’s vagina. Slowly push the plunger until all of the semen has entered the tube, and hold the tube upright to ensure the fluids are dispensed and not spilled.

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Artificial insemination (AI) has opened up a new world of possibilities in terms of dog breeding. While natural breeding is nature’s best breeding method, AI is becoming the order of the day. It offers advantages that natural mating lacks. The biggest is the fact that breeding can take place anywhere in the world without having to transport dogs to mate. If you are a breeder wanting to go down this route, there is no reason not to. As long as you have the right information about what you’re getting yourself into, you’ll do well. To help you, we’ve put together a guide to how often to fertilize a dog.

What is artificial insemination?

AI has been used primarily on cattle for centuries. Dog breeders were initially shy about using the procedure, but the trend has now caught on in the canine world. This was fueled by increased demand for artificial insemination and advances in seed technology. Simply put, this is the process of breeding dogs without mating by inserting semen into the mother’s vagina when she ovulates to facilitate conception.

The AI ​​is all about choosing the right man to harvest seeds from. He should have the desired personality, intelligence and other qualities. Once he’s chosen, a female teaser will be brought near him. If no female is in heat, a cotton swab scented with a female in heat can be used to arouse the male. When he attempts to mount a female, his penis is then diverted into an artificial vagina from which the semen is extracted.

The seed can be used immediately, chilled in the refrigerator, or frozen. To use it, a syringe with the semen is inserted into the bitch’s cervix during ovulation. Fertilization can also be done surgically or through an extended transcervical endoscope.

Benefits of AI

AI is beneficial as it brings convenience to breeders looking to diversify their genetic pool. In the past, a female had to be transported across borders to mate with the desired male. Now male dog semen can be harvested, stored and transported from any part of the universe. Expanding the genetic pool is especially beneficial for dog breeds that are found in small numbers in certain geographic locations.

AI also allows breeders to improve kennel genetics. You have access to a plethora of options, even seeds from deceased dogs. The procedure also allows the sperm to be examined for abnormalities and fertility. It also prevents sexually transmitted diseases.

Success rate of artificial insemination in dogs

According to an article in BBC News, the success rate of AI is over 50%. This is an average success rate, but the actual number depends on the quality of the seed. Fresh semen is essentially the best. When a skilled and experienced breeder performs the procedure, the success rate is around 80%. This drops to 59% – 80% when the seed is refrigerated and 52% – 60% when it is frozen. Storing semen can affect sperm viability and ultimately the breeding outcome. Frozen semen is processed before being mixed with a preservative and then frozen with liquid nitrogen. This process can greatly affect its quality.

With AI, timing is everything. The fertile window period is rather narrow. You only have a few days to breed the dog. For fresh semen, AI is best performed 2 days after ovulation, while frozen semen is administered 3-4 days after ovulation. There are several ways to determine if the dog is ovulating or not. The most common is the progesterone test, which is done every other day to get accurate results.

There are different opinions on how often a dog should be inseminated. According to this study published on PubMed, you get better results with two inseminations than with one insemination. 36 bitches inseminated with frozen semen took part in the study. Some were inseminated once, others twice with an interval of 1-2 days. The average conception rate was 67% with a litter size of 6.4. Animals fertilized once had a conception rate of 64%, and 69% for those fertilized twice.

Revival Animal Health recommends inseminating a dam every other day until the heat season is over. The oestrus period starts four days before ovulation and lasts until three days after ovulation. That gives a total of 7 days of possible breeding. If you do AI every other day, watch 3-4 inseminations at a time.

warning

How often the dog has to be inseminated depends heavily on the type of insemination. If you are hand-inserting sperm into the dam, you can afford to do the procedure every other day. However, if you go the surgical route, you can only do it once at a time. The surgery involves sedation and cutting open the dog. If you care about the puppy’s well-being, you don’t want to have him undergo more than one invasive procedure. Transcervical insemination is best performed once and includes sedation.

AI is a remarkable breeding technique in the canine world. It can change your world as a grower in so many ways. As long as you stick to the rules, you will have an amazing experience with it.

Image source: 1, 2

If you and your partner talk to a doctor about getting help with infertility, they may suggest a technique called “artificial insemination.” It is a simple procedure with few side effects and can help some couples who have not been able to conceive. In artificial insemination, a doctor inserts sperm directly into a woman’s cervix, fallopian tubes, or womb. The most common method is called “intrauterine insemination (IUI)” in which a doctor inserts the sperm into the uterus. Why is this helpful? It shortens the path for the sperm and bypasses obstacles. Your doctor may initially suggest this method to treat infertility.

What kind of infertility can be treated by artificial insemination? The procedure can be used for many types of fertility problems. In male infertility cases, it is often used when sperm count is very low or when sperm are not strong enough to swim through the cervix and up into the fallopian tubes. When it comes to female infertility, this is sometimes done if you have a condition called endometriosis or if you have anything abnormal in your reproductive organs.

This method might also work for you if you have something called “unresponsive cervical mucus.” This means the mucus that lines the cervix prevents sperm from entering your uterus and fallopian tubes. In artificial insemination, the sperm completely skip the cervical mucus. Doctors also often suggest artificial insemination when they can’t figure out why a couple is infertile.

Many factors contribute to the likelihood of pregnancy in assisted reproduction, including the type of semen (fresh or frozen), the semen quality and quantity, the age and fertility of the stud dog and bitch, the site of semen deposition (intrauterine or vaginal) and time of fertilization.

types of seeds

Insemination can be performed with three types of dog semen: fresh, fresh chilled and frozen.

Fresh

Freshly ejaculated dog semen has the longest viability. Sperm from young, fertile stud dogs can survive in the bitch’s reproductive tract for up to 5-7 days.

Freshly chilled

Fresh chilled semen involves the dilution of ejaculated semen in special canine diluents containing egg yolk and buffers that protect sperm during the chilling process. The elongated seed is then slowly cooled to 4°C and can remain viable for up to 3-4 days at 4°C. (Semen from some stud dogs has been reported to retain viability and fertility after 10 days storage at 4˚C). Cooling the semen conserves the energy of the sperm, thus prolonging their longevity and viability.

Storing semen at refrigerator temperatures makes it easier to ship canine semen either within the United States or internationally to Canada or Mexico. It is a great alternative to transporting the stud dog to the bitch or vice versa when both are far apart which can be very costly and inconvenient.

Frozen

Frozen semen is stored in liquid nitrogen at an extreme temperature of -196ºC. Sperm is preserved in a frozen state in either “straws” or “pellets”. The freeze-thaw process causes some degree of sperm damage, greatly reducing the bitch’s sperm lifespan to only 12-24 hours. Therefore, when dealing with frozen semen, it is crucial to know exactly when ovulation occurred so that we can ensure that the frozen semen is deposited in the uterus when the ova or “eggs” are ready for fertilization.

Timing of insemination: Monitor your bitch’s estrus cycle

The timing of insemination is very important. Monitoring your bitch’s heat or heat cycle to determine the optimal time for insemination involves performing one or a combination of the following procedures:

Blood samples to measure the hormone progesterone

Vaginal swabs for cytological examination to determine the time of fertilization and to check for infectious or inflammatory processes

Vaginoscopy to assess the vaginal vault, which correlates with the stage of the oestrus cycle and is a very useful timing tool. Vaginoscopy can also rule out anatomical abnormalities (strictures, septa, persistent hymen) before breeding.

The number of samples taken to determine the timing of insemination varies between bitches. We recommend starting the test about 5 days after the onset of heat (first noticeable sign) and then every second or third day until we determine when the bitch has released her ovulation hormone called “luteinizing hormone” or “LH”. The day this occurs is called an “LH surge” or “LH day 0” and coincides with a progesterone level around 2 ng/mL.

The day or days that we recommend performing artificial insemination depends on the type of semen used. For example, insemination with TG sperm takes place on “day 5” (after LH 0) if only one insemination is to be carried out, or on days 4 and 6 or 5 and 6 (after LH 0) if two inseminations are carried out should be able to be carried out.

Place of semen deposition: techniques of artificial insemination

Transcervical Fertilization

The intrauterine insemination technique that we recommend when using frozen-thawed semen or small numbers of potentially vulnerable fresh or chilled semen is transcervical insemination, where the semen is placed directly into the uterus to maximize the chance of pregnancy .

This internationally recognized technique was developed in 2001 by Dr. Developed by Marion Wilson in New Zealand. It has the advantages of being anesthetic and sedation free, non-surgical and relatively stress free. In addition, it has the decisive advantage over surgical artificial insemination that more than one insemination can be carried out during the bitch’s heat.

Transcervical insemination may not be a viable option for some female dogs, typically for behavioral reasons.

There have been some developments with the canine transcervical insemination endoscope. A new longer and slimmer endoscope has been specially developed for transcervical insemination in dogs. This facilitates transcervical insemination in large and giant breeds and virgin bitches.

Vaginal insemination

When using fresh or chilled semen with sufficient sperm count and sperm quality, the deposition of semen to the extreme end of the vagina can result in pregnancy and litter sizes consistent with natural mating.

There are many different types of catheters that can be used for vaginal artificial insemination. We insert a special artificial insemination catheter at the very end of the vagina. At this point, a bulb at the end of the catheter is inflated to mimic the swelling of the dog’s bulbous gland during mating. This not only prevents the backflow of semen, but also stretches the vaginal wall, resulting in the release of oxytocin and stimulation of contractions of the vaginal and uterine smooth muscles, facilitating the transport of sperm into the uterus. After the bulb is inflated, fresh sperm is slowly injected through the catheter into the back end of the vagina. This is then followed by a warm canine semen extender, which helps flush the semen into the uterus just as prostate fluid does during natural mating.

This is a technique that can be used in all bitches, is non-invasive, requires less skill and equipment than intrauterine artificial insemination techniques, and is therefore more economical. It is often used in virgin bitches and stallions who cannot “bond” or mate for a number of reasons.

Vaginal artificial insemination is not the preferred method of using frozen and thawed sperm. In addition to the greatly reduced lifespan already mentioned, frozen semen breeding units contain significantly fewer (i.e. 100 million motile sperm per “AI dose”) than a fresh or chilled insemination dose. Therefore, the deposition of small numbers of fragile, frozen and thawed sperm in the hostile vaginal environment causes a small number to travel through the cervix into the uterus and reach the fallopian tubes (fallopian tubes), the site of fertilization. This obviously results in a lower pregnancy rate and litter size.

Surgical intrauterine insemination

We neither recommend surgical insemination nor do we perform this insemination technique at the CSU. This technique involves general anesthesia and surgery, with the associated risks. An incision is made in the abdomen, the uterus is then identified and brought out. The semen is then injected directly into the uterine horns. It can only be performed once during the bitch’s heat. Additionally, surgical insemination does not increase conception rates or litter sizes.

Importance of seed treatment and assessment

Regardless of what type of semen (fresh, fresh-chilled, or frozen) or artificial insemination method is used to deposit the semen, careful and skillful handling of the semen is essential. Additionally, the assessment of a semen sample by a qualified and knowledgeable professional prior to fertilization plays a vital role in maximizing pregnancy rates.

Artificial insemination is a very useful tool of reproductive management. It allows the transport of semen both nationally and internationally. Management of both stud dog and bitch is critical to maximize both pregnancy rate and litter size after artificial insemination.