Cow Artificial Insemination Techniques

There are a few different techniques to artificially inseminate a cow.

Artificial insemination in cattle is a process by which live sperm is collected from a bull and inserted into the cow's reproductive tract at the proper time to encourage pregnancy. In the cattle industry, high quality sires are sometimes hard to find. Artificial insemination can increase the usefulness of valuable sires and result in stronger and healthier calves. Typically, a bull can impregnate about 50 or 60 cows per year, but with artificial insemination that number can be in the thousands, according to the World Agriculture Group.

Artificial Vagina

Sperm collection is the most difficult and dangerous part of the artificial insemination process. Bulls can weight in excess of 2,000 pounds and are often uncooperative. One method of collecting sperm is to use an artificial vagina. It consists of a heavy rubber cylinder, inner rubber sleeves, a semen-receiving cone and a glass or plastic collecting vial. All the parts are assembled and water at 40 to 50 degrees Celsius is added. A cow or dummy cow will be introduced to entice the bull to mount, and when he does, the artificial vagina is held at a 55-degree angle and the penis is guided in by hand.

Electro-Stimulation

Electro-stimulation is another means of semen collection used when the artificial vagina may not be practical. If a bull is unable to mount or is too slow, electro-stimulation is an option. A probe is inserted in the bull's rectum and nerves are stimulated. The voltage is gradually increased in a rhythmic motion until the sperm can be collected.

Manual Massage

There is a great deal of skill and experience necessary to manually encourage semen collection. A technician must reach in through the rectal wall and manually massage the bull's seminal vesicles and ampullae. This is the simplest form of semen collection, according to the World Agriculture Group.

Recto-Vaginal Technique

The recto-vaginal technique is a process to implant the semen into the cow. The cervix of the cow is lifted with a gloved hand that has entered through the rectum of the cow. An inseminating tube must be inserted into the vagina with the tip pointed upward at an angle of 20 to 30 degrees. The tip of the inseminating tube should be felt with the gloved hand as it is gently pushed deep into the cervix.

References

• World Agriculture: Artificial Insemination Techniques in Cattle
• Select Sires: AI Technique in Cattle
• Pennsylvania State University: Artificial Insemination Technique