Background
This document has been prepared as a guide for those interested in understanding what is involved when undertaking canine artificial insemination, and the estimated costs. A number of sources have been used to compile this information and no responsibility is taken for any information or inaccuracies contained in this document.
Artificial insemination (AI) is the process of collecting semen and depositing it through artificial means into the vagina of the receptive bitch. AI is reserved for valuable purebred dogs unable to conceive through natural means due to various problems or distance issues. In the bitch abnormal vulvar or vaginal conformation may preclude coitus. Bitches may also be aggressive toward the intended sire making mating difficult, or not allow breeding, for whatever reason. In the male, poor sex drive, weakness or pain when mounting due to arthritis or prostatic disease or aggression towards the female may result in the need for AI. Premature ejaculation is another reason for consideration of AI. Another common reason for artificial insemination in breeding programs is the geographic separation of the dam and sire. Champion stud dogs may have semen frozen and shipped throughout the country, especially if transportation of the female to the male's residence is not possible. If AI is chosen, then a decision will need to be made to use fresh semen, fresh chilled semen or frozen semen. Then consideration will need to be given to the means of insemination, vaginal or surgical. It is essential that a veterinarian who specialises in AI is contacted to assist and supervise the process. The use of frozen semen should not be an emergency, and must be planned well in advance.
The Advantages of AIAs a breeding option, AI offers distinct advantages:
1. It provides convenience for owners and breeders. It eliminates the cost, risk and time involved in shipping bitches. From the stud owner's point of view, if the dog is having a great field or show year, AI allows his semen to be collected and used to inseminate bitches without disrupting current activities.2. AI using frozen semen allows breeders to continue breeding from an outstanding stud long after he is dead. For the young stud showing great promise, his semen can be collected and stored in the event of his untimely death or infertility.
3. Its exactness. Semen quality and quantity is known. In natural matings, breeders hope for the best and deal with anything less afterwards. Since AI allows dogs to be bred without coming in contact with each other sexually, the risk of transmitting sexual diseases is minimised.
Fresh semen that is chilled or cooled stays best up to six days, with maximum fertility limited to the first 48 hours. In the uterus, sperm cells that have been chilled are viable for approximately 24 to 72 hours. This narrow window of viability means owners, breeders, and veterinarians must time ovulation and inseminate as precisely as possible. When proper timing of the oestrous cycle is performed and proper semen handling and delivery is accomplished, AI conception rates can rival those of natural breeding.
Semen CollectionFor successful AI, the semen must be collected and handled properly and placed into the female. Semen can be used fresh, it can be chilled and used within 24 hours, or it can be frozen. For fresh and chilled semen, it must first be determined that the female is receptive and close to the time of ovulation. After that determination, semen can be collected by manual stimulation.
Most successful semen collection begins with the introduction of a teaser bitch. That is, a bitch in season, but not intended to be bred that day. This will increase the success of the stimulation and result in higher quality semen.
After collection of the semen, a semen extender can be added to nourish the semen and to achieve the necessary amount of semen. For samples to be used within 24 hours but not immediately, an extender fluid is added to protect and nourish the sperm. This sample is then chilled and must be used within 24 hours. For samples intended for freezing, a different type of extender is added to protect the sperm from the effects of freezing.
Prior to insemination, the semen needs to be evaluated for quality. Over 70 percent of the sperm need to have normal forward motility.
Preparing The Female and Pinpointing The Time of Insemination
Knowing exactly when to inseminate the female can be quite challenging and, if not done properly, fertilisation will not occur. There are various ways of estimating the proper day to deposit semen. A ‘smear’, which is more properly termed a vaginal cytology, can be read with good success by an experienced reproductive veterinarian, and is best done every day, or every other day, from day 8 on. The next step up from this, and a tool that can be used by a relatively inexperienced veterinarian with good success, is the progesterone RIA test. The RIA progesterone test will give a precise number. With this number it becomes possible to extrapolate with good accuracy, once the level has reached a particular threshold value.
There is no set progesterone value for breeding a bitch such as 8, 12, 18, 25 ng/ml etc. Some bitches must be bred at 6 ng/ml and some bitches as high as 50 ng/ml. Each bitch has to be treated as an individual and should be bred between 60 and 72 hours after the day of ovulation is calculated. The reason for this is that when a bitch ovulates her ovum are immature and can not be penetrated by sperm until they are mature, which in the dog takes between 40 to 60 hours. The time of ovulation can be pinpointed with only a couple of progesterone tests. Surgical insemination
This allows for direct insemination of the semen into the uterus. Anaesthetic is administered to the bitch. It involves injecting semen into the exposed uterus through a needle. Surgical conception rates using frozen semen closely match those of natural mating. Fresh chilled semen can also be used in surgical AI.
Laparoscopic insemination
This is a less invasive and potentially faster surgical procedure. In laparoscopy, a small telescope inserted into the bitch's abdomen is used to locate and identify the uterus for semen injection.
Trans-cervical inseminations
These are done by endoscope or the Norwegian catheter. The rigid endoscope is more widely used than the Norwegian catheter, and has the considerable advantage of providing the operator and the bitch’s owner with a view of the actual deposition of semen in the uterus by way of a TV monitor. Those skilled in the use of the Norwegian catheter can get excellent results as well. Trans-cervical semen depositions do not require any sedation in nearly all cases.
The important difference between a trans-cervical insemination and a surgical implant is, obviously, that the trans-cervical does not entail the risks of general anaesthesia and surgery.
Insemination
There are many variations of AI to consider. Insemination is similar for fresh and chilled semen, but is slightly different for frozen semen. This is due to the life span of the semen once processed. Frozen semen only lives for a few hours after thawing and insemination. Chilled semen lives for about 5 days in the bitch and fresh semen lives for about 6 days. Since frozen semen has such a short life span, an egg ready to be fertilised must be present at the time of insemination for fertilisation to occur.
Once prepared, the semen can be deposited either in the vagina just in front of the cervix or just inside the uterus. Samples deposited just in front of the cervix result in the best success. Placement of the semen into the proper area of the reproductive tract requires some specialised equipment. In selected cases, surgical insemination can also be done.
When using frozen semen the first thing to know is that it should be inseminated directly into the uterus for the best success. Trans-cervical insemination is by far the best method, but a difficult method to master. Fibre optical insemination is also used in certain places but demands an expensive investment in equipment. Surgical insemination is used where there is no skill of trans-cervical insemination and no fibre optics available and can be very stressful for the bitch.
With frozen semen, this is deposited directly into the uterus and the bitch is inseminated later. That is, approximately 60 - 72 hours after the blood serum progesterone level shows ovulation. This is the time when most of the ova are mature and ready for fertilisation. The sperm can immediately penetrate the ovum as they are not depended upon to live an extended period of time. Since the cervix dilates at the optimum time of insemination, trans-cervical insemination is by far the best insemination method.
Of the different types of semen preparation, it is again obvious that fresh dog-to-dog collection and insemination will give the best semen preparation. Fresh-extended or chilled semen has performed very well for many years, but not as well, statistically, as fresh semen collected at the time and on the same premises as the breeding. The worst statistics are for frozen semen, no matter what process is used for the freezing. The reason for this is that once frozen semen is thawed, it lives for a period of two to twelve hours. Therefore, frozen semen should only be used with direct intra-uterine deposition, and trans-cervical is to be preferred to the surgical implant. The timing of the frozen semen deposition is extremely critical, while there is more latitude in the deposition of fresh or fresh-extended sperm. If at all possible, if the stud dog is still alive, fresh or fresh-extended semen should be used.
Registering AI Litters
Contact any breed registries and the national breed kennel club to learn the latest rules and regulations. Most kennel clubs encourage breeders to communicate early and often and to keep detailed records of any correspondence, especially when considering using imported semen. While some kennel clubs have a voluntary registration program and make no distinction regarding the AI method used to produce a litter, others may require DNA certification for stud dogs collected for fresh, extended, and frozen semen use, including foreign stud dogs collected for imported semen use. Some organisations require that a veterinarian be involved in the process.
Collection of Semen in Australia
An ANKC Certificate of Collection of Semen form is to be completed and registered within 18 months of the date of collection or importation. A certificate of registration will be issued to the owner of the semen.
Use of Frozen Semen in Australia
An ANKC Certificate of Use of Registered Semen form is to be completed when registered semen is used.
Transferring Frozen Semen in Australia
The owner of the frozen semen must complete an Application to Transfer Frozen semen form and submit to their Canine controlling body.
Summary of what needs to be done for AI
As soon as the bitch comes into season she must be taken to your vet. Prior to this, discussions should have taken place with the veterinarian who will perform the AI. Be prepared to visit the vet when he/she advises. That is, don’t put anything into the diary for the next 10 to 12 days. The vet will do the following:
Blood tests, possibly 3 starting day 8
Ultrasound day 29-30
For the owner of the bitch: Haematology $ 140 - $200
Insemination trans-cervical $ 200
surgical $ 500
Ultrasound $ 70
If purchasing frozen semen: Transfer paperwork $ 25
Freight cost $200 (from WA to Victoria)
Handling fee, liquid nitrogen
& hire of container $200 (from WA to Victoria)
Shipping Semen
Containers specifically designed to ship frozen semen safely are used. Liquid nitrogen keeps the semen frozen and is absorbed into a matrix inside the containers. This prevents liquid spilling out and accidental thawing and will not occur even if the container is tipped or turned over.
These containers hold the desired temperature for two to three weeks. Your vet should be contacted for transport details.Vaginal insemination
This involves inserting a rod loaded with semen into the bitch's vagina and advancing it to the cervix opening. Called the os, the cervical opening is the ideal place to deposit semen. Once the rod is in place, the semen is deposited and the rod is withdrawn.
Cytology, swabs possibly 3-4, one on the first day and the next day 8
Approximate costs involved
Cytology $ 160
Cost of the frozen semen POA (3-4 straws may be required)
Julia Logan
Western Australia
Phone : 089453 9637 after 6 pm
Email : ckcs@bigpond.net.au
