Current challenges in sheep artificial insemination: A particular insight

Ovine artificial insemination (OAI) is not commonly performed because of specific problems related to semen application techniques, leading to highly variable results. The ideal methodology (frozen‐thawed semen/vaginal route) is unfeasible under field conditions due to the cervix morphology of the e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Reproduction in domestic animals 2019-10, Vol.54 (S4), p.32-40
Main Authors: Alvarez, Mercedes, Anel‐Lopez, Luis, Boixo, Juan Carlos, Chamorro, Cesar, Neila‐Montero, Marta, Montes‐Garrido, Rafael, Paz, Paulino, Anel, Luis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Artificial insemination
Cervix
cryopreservation
Cryopreservation - methods
Cryopreservation - veterinary
Female
Females
Fertility
Freezing
Insemination, Artificial - methods
Insemination, Artificial - veterinary
Labor Stage, First - drug effects
Lactation
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy - veterinary
Logistics
Male
Morphology
Organic chemistry
ovine
Pregnancy
Preservation
Reproduction (biology)
Semen
Semen Preservation - veterinary
Sheep
Sheep, Domestic - anatomy & histology
Sheep, Domestic - physiology
sperm
transcervical
Vagina
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Summary:Ovine artificial insemination (OAI) is not commonly performed because of specific problems related to semen application techniques, leading to highly variable results. The ideal methodology (frozen‐thawed semen/vaginal route) is unfeasible under field conditions due to the cervix morphology of the ewe, which prevents the process of intrauterine insemination necessary to obtain acceptable results. Currently, OAI commercial programmes use superficial cervical insemination, CAI (vaginal), with chilled semen (15°C) and intrauterine insemination, LAI (laparoscopic), with frozen‐thawed semen. The ability to improve upon these contrasting techniques may be derived from examining certain poorly studied factors such as insemination time, productive state of females and alternatives of seminal preservation, some of which we reviewed in this work. This interim solution will remain in use until AI by the vaginal route with frozen‐thawed semen is developed, but it poses new challenges in optimizing the freezing of the sperm and adapting the cervical (CAI) and/or transcervical intrauterine AI (TCAI). In this review, we address the current problems and evaluate their methodological (mechanical) and chemical (dilation) alternatives. Currently, TCAI is a methodologically complex technique with poor fertility results, so further studies are needed to improve the logistics of this procedure and the results of its application.
ISSN:0936-6768
1439-0531
DOI:10.1111/rda.13523