Estrous Synchronization &

Artificial Insemination
Technique
 ESTROUS
SYNCHRONIZATION
Estrous Synchronization
- A management technique that make use of hormones to control
or reschedule the estrous cycle.

- Controlling or manipulating the estrous cycle so that females

express estrous at approximately the same time.

- Use the hormones associated with reproduction

1. LH & FSH
2. Progesterone
3. Estrogen
4. Prostaglandin
 Table 1: Commonly used hormones in estrous synchronization and
their trade names

Hormone (Abbreviation Commercial Products

Gonadotropin Hormone Cystorelin , Factrel , Fertagyl ,OvaCyst
Releasing
Hormone (GnRH)

Progestins
Progesterone CIDR , Intravaginal progesterone-releasing
insert

Synthetic progestin Melengestrol acetate (MGA ), Orally-active feed

additive

Prostaglandin F2α Lutalyse , Estrumate , ProstaMate ,

(PGF) estroPLAN™, In-Synch™

The commercial products often do not have the same chemical composition as the hormone produced by the
animal’s body. In many cases, these compounds have similar effects on the reproductive system as the native
hormone. Please read and follow label instructions when using these products.
Advantages of Estrous Synchronization
1. Allows an organized and efficient approach for AI

2. Synchronizes estrus and thus reduce time required for estrus

detection

3. Improves record keeping and group cow management labor

4. Saving tool for utilizing superior genetics, increase longevity

and productivity of dairy cows

5. Better management tool for maintaining proper calving interval

(12-13 month)

6. Facilitate adoption of artificial insemination

CIDR (Controlled internal drug release)
- CIDR is a T-shaped device with flexible wings that collapse to
form a rod for insertion into the vagina.

- A tail is attached for easy removal. The CIDR's nylon spine is

covered with a progesterone-impregnated silicone skin.

- Insertion:
For cows – 7 days
for sheep, goat – 12 – 16 days
1. CIDR device 2. Geometry

How to use CIDR?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSNTJ0jWAKE
How to detect heat or estrous in animal farm?
- ‘Heat’ or ‘estrous’ is the period a female animal is ready for ‘service’.
(Service in animal husbandry means to mate and the act is called servicing).

- This period is very important in animal husbandry and breeding.

- This is because, it is the period that reproductive physiology and

endocrinology (hormone) of the female animal is ready for reproduction.

- The fact is; “no heat, no pregnancy.”

Sign of heat in farm animals
1. Restlessness and Isolation: The animal becomes restless and she isolates from
other animals.
2. Excitement: The animal shows sign of sexual excitement.
3. Reduced or loss of appetite: The reaction of the animal to feed is reduced or
totally lost.
4. Increased body temperature: The animal develops unusual high body
temperature.
5. Vaginal discharge: There would be mucus discharge from the animal
vagina/vulva.
6. Mounting: An animal on heat will always mount or ride other animals as shown
on the sketched diagram above.
7. Other signs include; frequent urination, swollen vulva, making of undue noise,
and licking of other animals’ body.
 FEMALES
REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
 Four basic types of uteri found in animals
•Only two of these types are found in farm animals
•The bicornuate uterus - found in the sow, cow, doe,and ewe
•The duplex uterus - consists of two uterine horns each with a separate cervical
cannal which opens into the vagina
- found in the rat,rabbit,guinea pig,and other small animals
•The simple uterus - pear-shaped body with no uterine horns
- ,is characteristic of humans and other primates.
Ewe Reproductive Tract
 METHODS OF
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
 Methods of Artificial Insemination
4 methods to artificially inseminate

1. Vaginal
2. Cervical
3. Trans-cervical
4. Intrauterine/ Laparoscopic method
 Side view of the
cow’s reproductive
system.

Close-up view of
the cervix.
 1. Vaginal method

• Simplest / cheap form of insemination

• Involves depositing fresh semen in the
anterior vagina without any attempt to locate
the cervix
• Reported success rates are highly variable
• Unsuitable for use with frozen semen
 2. Cervical method

• Cheap and relatively easy method of insemination

• The cervix is located, via speculum fitted with a light
source
• The semen is deposited in the first fold of the cervix
• Conception rates with fresh or chilled semen are good,
but generally unacceptably low with frozen, thawed
semen.
 3. Trans-cervical method
• Involves grasping the cervix and retracting it
into the vagina with a pair of forceps to allow
an inseminating instrument to be introduced
into the cervical canal

• The University of Guelph (Canada) has

developed an instrument with a special bent
tip that allows passage through the cervix.
Figure #10: Good distribution of the semen
to both uterine horns

Figure #11: Improper distribution of the

semen into one horn because the
insemination gun is pushed too far forward.
 4. Laparoscopic method

• Also known as intrauterine

• By-passes the cervix and deposits semen directly
into the uterine horns
• In 1982, Australian researcher developed a
laparoscopic insemination (LAI) procedure that
revolutionized the sheep AI technique
•
A minimally invasive, minor surgical procedure that
• requires veterinary expertise
The technique utilizes an endoscope, a special
telescope with a fiberoptic light, which permits the
technician to view the ewe’s reproductive tract
 4. Laparoscopic method (cont)

• The semen is injected directly into the lumen

of the uterus, and the same procedure is
repeated on the other uterine horn
• The procedure takes 2 – 5 minutes per ewe
• After the procedure is over, the ewe normally
starts eating within minutes
• Conception rates range from 50 – 80%
The laparoscopic insemination procedure
is a minor surgical method by which semen
is placed in the uterine horns
Factors that affect the lambing rate:

• Ewe condition
• Period since last lambing
• Ewe stress
• Ewe diet
• Semen dose - at least 100million sperm are required
• Semen quality
• Semen quantity - enough fluid (use 1/2 cc straws not 1/4 cc) is
required to insure that adequate number of sperm cells are
carried into the uterus

• Semen handling - semen is often poorly handled during thawing in

on-farm AI programs

• Season may have an affect

• Inseminator experience