Artifical Insemination
of Goats
|
Robert Spencer
|
Urban Regional Extension
Specialist
Alabama Cooperation Extension System |
Why Artificial Insemination? |
A.I. is an aid in breeding programs.
There are numerous sires in all breeds available though
A.I., allowing you to choose one that complements
or improve those areas of greatest need in your herd.
You can utilize bucks from miles away or bucks that
are no longer alive. If you keep more than one breed
and us A. I. exclusively, you will never worry about
the wrong buck getting loose and breeding the wrong
doe. |
The minum equipment you will need
to begin includes an insemination gun, sheaths, a
light source, speculums, lubricating jelly, a straw
cutter, tweezers, and access to frozen semen. For
under $100 you can be in business. That is less than
the cost of a buck, housing, feed, and etc. |
INTRODUCTION |
Artificial insemination (A.I.)
involves collecting semen from a buck and the transfer
of semen into the reproductive tract of the doe. Does
can be inseminated with either fresh semen or with
commercially collected frozen semen. The probability
of successful insemination (given ideal conditions
and experienced handler) should be about sixty-five
percent. |
Reasons for goat producers to consider
using A.I. include the following:
1. Eliminate or reduce the cost of maintaining bucks.
2. Expansion of genetic improvement throughout herd.
3. Increase the number of does to which a buck could
be bred.
4. Through use of estrous synchronization, A.I. allows
several does to be bred the same day. |
Whatever the reasons for using
A.I., it is important the producer fully understands
the reproductive cycle of the doe, correct storage
and handling of semen, and proper insemination procedures. |
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE DOE |
In general, dairy goats are seasonal
breeders, while meat goats will breed almost any time
of the year. However, meat goats tend to be most fertile
during the same seasons as dairy goats. The breeding
season is initiated by decreasing daylight and runs
from late August to January in the United States.
Estrous cycles can be initiated out of season by controlling
artificial lights to simulate decreasing daylight.
The goat's average estrous cycle is 21 days. However,
individual does can have both longer and shorter intervals
between heat periods. For this reason, it is important
to keep individual reproductive records on each doe.
The duration of heat or estrus is typically 24 to
36 hours with ovulation occurring near the end of
estrus. |
HEAT DETECTION |
A producer's heat detection program
is an important factor in determining whether an artificial
insemination program will succeed. Knowing when a
doe comes into estrus lets the technician time insemination
so it more nearly coincides with ovulation. |
Symptoms of does in heat are:
1. does that flag (wag) their tails frequently and
rapidly
2. does that are unusually aggressive, noisy or active,
3. females that stand to be mounted by herdmates,
4. a clear mucous discharge from the vulva. |
It is important to document individual
heat detection for each doe during the breeding season.
Does that are to be inseminated should be observed
twice daily for 15-20 minutes. Early morning and late
afternoon are good times to observe estrus. Observing
does for heat detection during chore time as well
as other times of the day will avoid estrus does being
overlooked. |
Accurate records should be maintained,
including time of heat, length of heat and length
of time between heat periods. These records will help
a producer accurately anticipate and detect heat in
individual does, and time insemination with ovulation. |
TIME OF INSEMINATION |
As discussed earlier, a doe is
a seasonal breeder that cycles about every 21 days.
The average heat or estrus will last from 24 to 36
hours with ovulation occurring near the end of estrus.
The standard A.I. recommendation is to breed does
two (or three) times at 12-hr intervals. This breeding
schedule increases the possibility of a healthy sperm
contacting a healthy ovum. After you have inseminated
each doe make sure to document: the doe, the number
of times she was inseminated, and the information
from the straw/buck used. This will be important for
registering the kids after they are born. |
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO INSEMINATE DOES
WITH FROZEN SEMEN |
1. Liquid nitrogen tank ($300+)
2. Speculum (25 x 175 mm for doelings or 25 x 200
mm for does)
3. A.I. light
4. Straw tweezers
5. Sterile lubricant (non-spermicidal)
6. Insemination gun (for straws)
7. Breeding stand or facilities to restrain the doe
8. Thaw container
9. Paper towels
10. Straw cutter
11. Thermometer |
These supplies can be obtained
from several livestock supply companies. The liquid
nitrogen tank will be the largest single expense,
and will cost approximately $450. |
SEMEN THAWING AND INSEMINATION PROCEDURES |
The first step is to restrain
the doe to be inseminated. This can be done with a
breeding stand or any other satisfactory facility. |
After the doe is restrained, the
semen is thawed and the insemination gun is prepared.
Frozen semen should be thawed according to the processor's
recommendations. If these recommendations are not
available, remove the frozen straw from the liquid
nitrogen tank with a straw tweezers, and place it
in a thaw box filled with warm water (95°F) for
30 seconds. After thawing, dry the straw thoroughly
with a paper towel. Semen must be kept warm and must
not be exposed to sunlight or water during the thawing
and inseminating process to prevent damaging or killing
sperm cells. Pull the plunger back 4 to 6 inches on
the insemination gun and place the straw into the
gun with the cotton plug toward the plunger. After
the straw has been secured in the gun, the sealed
end of the straw must be cut off with the straw cutter.
The cover sheath should now be placed over the insemination
gun and secured. These steps will vary slightly depending
on the type of insemination gun used. |
The next step is the actual insemination
process. It may be necessary to lift the does's hindquarters
if she will not stand. If working alone, hold the
insemination gun in your mouth, or have an assistant
hand the insemination gun to you at the appropriate
time. Turn your light on. |
Lubricate the speculum with a
non-spermicidal lubricant. Clean the doe's vulva with
a dry paper towel and insert the lubricated speculum
slowly into the vulva. Insert the speculum at an upward
angle parallel with the angle of the rump to prevent
vaginal irritation. |
Once the speculum has been inserted,
visually locate the cervix. The cervix should have
a red-purple color and white mucus will be present
if the doe is in heat. Center the speculum over the
opening of the cervix. |
Insert the insemination gun into
the speculum and thread it into the opening of the
cervix. Use a circular motion and slight pressure
to work the insemination gun through the rings of
the cervix. Do not penetrate the cervix more than
1.5 inches |
Deposit the semen slowly by pushing
the plunger forward. Remove the insemination gun slowly
and remove the speculum. |
Record all important information
in a breeding journal. |
Artificial insemination is a powerful
tool that can allow goat breeders the flexibility
to increase the rate of genetic improvement in their
herds. Although A.I. is a powerful tool, it requires
proper technique and attention to detail for a high
level of success. With good heat detection, records
and semen handling techniques, individuals can become
successful A.I. technicians. |
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