The Disadvantages of Artificial Insemination in Animals

There are many advantages to artificial insemination (AI) in domesticated and zoo animals. There is less of a chance of injury to either partner during the mating process. There is less stress to the female, who often is the one that has to be transported to and from the home of the male. But no system of reproduction is perfect, including AI.

Legality

In certain breeds of domesticated animals, it is impossible to register the offspring of artificial insemination. This is most prominent in the case of Thoroughbred horses. All Thoroughbred foals must be the result of a natural mating to be registered with that country's Jockey Club. The Jockey Club of America is especially adamant on this point. If the foal cannot be registered, then the foal is barred from racing.

Ovulation

In some species, the act of mating is necessary to have the female come into ovulation, because they do not have a specific breeding season. For example, there are microscopic spines on the penis of the cat family (from house cats to tigers). The scraping of those spines against the vaginal wall stimulates the female cat's body into releasing eggs into her womb. According to "Arthur's Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics," female cats do not ovulate until 23 to 20 hours after mating. Artificial insemination can't make a female cat ovulate.

Collection

To collect the semen from the male, a human being has to enter very closely to a potentially dangerous, highly excited male animal with a collection device. Although some animals like horses and pigs have been taught to mount dummies, no such system exists for zoo animals. For example, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary has successfully performed AI on koalas with artificial vaginas, but can only collect the semen after interrupting an actual mating. Koalas can inflict serious injuries.

Expense

Another major disadvantage is the considerable expense it takes to collect sperm, store in liquid nitrogen, ship it to the female and then have a vet perform the insemination procedure. Giant pandas, for example, need to be anesthetized before they can be inseminated. The cost of collection equipment, storing facilities, shipping and veterinary care can add up. In contrast, natural mating is relatively inexpensive, especially for docile animals.

Speculation

There is also the theory that animals must learn the act of reproduction by actually watching their parents mate. Mammals and birds must see members of their species mating to learn how to mate. According to Animal Planet researchers, this is especially worrisome in giant pandas, where the female only comes into season once a year. Female pandas have to be put under anesthesia in order to be artificially inseminated. This does not leave a lot of time for the pandas to figure out mating behavior. There are not many pandas in captivity that know how to breed. If all animals were bred by AI, then over the generations, this may produce animals that become entirely reliant on AI as their only means of reproduction.

Resources

• Animal Planet Video: Pandas: Getting Males to Mate