A note on the use of laparoscopy for intrauterine insemination of frozen-thawed semen in the ewe

Abstract

One of the major limitations to the widespread use of artificial insemination (AI) in the United Kingdom (UK) sheep industry is that with frozen-thawed semen current insemination techniques result in lowered fertility. Consequently, only fresh or liquid-chilled ram semen can be used if commercially acceptable conception rates are to be achieved.

Evaluation of intrauterine insemination of sheep with frozen semen: effects of time of insemination and semen dose on conception rates

“…Although in these trials no ewes were inseminated with frozen-thawed semen via the cervical route, to permit a direct comparison with the intra-uterine technique, the overall conception rates achieved were as good as, and in many cases higher than, those reported in the literature following cervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen (Colas, 1979;Maxwell et al, 1980;Colas and Guerin, 1981;Curnock et al, 1984;Haresign et al, 1986;Fiser, Ainsworth and Fairfull, 1987). Furthermore, these better conception rates were achieved with much smaller semen volumes (motile sperm numbers), and as such illustrate that the technique can have a marked effect on increasing selection pressure through the male line.…”

“…The present studies were therefore undertaken to investigate the potential application of this technique in commercial sheep flocks under field conditions in the UK. They follow the preliminary report of Haresign, Read, Curnock and Reed (1986) which established the feasibility of using the technique under field conditions. They follow the preliminary report of Haresign, Read, Curnock and Reed (1986) which established the feasibility of using the technique under field conditions.…”