Artificial insemination and Signs of Estrus

Artificial insemination is the process by which sperm is placed into the reproductive tract of a
female for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than sexual
intercourse. In humans, it is used as assisted reproductive technology, primarily to
treat infertility using sperm from the woman's partner, or sperm from a sperm donor (donor
sperm) where the male partner produces no sperm. It is also increasingly used to enable
women without a male partner (i.e., single women and lesbians) to produce children by using
donor sperm. In cases where donor sperm is used the woman is the gestational and genetic
mother of the child produced, and the sperm donor is the genetic or biological father of the child.

Artificial insemination is widely used for livestock breeding, especially for dairy cattle and pigs.
Techniques developed for livestock have been adapted for use in humans.

Specifically, freshly ejaculated sperm, or sperm which has been frozen and thawed, is placed in
the cervix (intracervical insemination – ICI) or, after washing, into the
female's uterus(intrauterine insemination – IUI) by artificial means.

In humans, artificial insemination was originally developed as a means of helping couples to

conceive where there were 'male factor' problems of a physical or psychological nature affecting
the male partner which prevented or impeded conception. Today, the process is more
commonly used where a woman has no male partner and the sperm is provided by or on behalf
of asperm donor. In cases where donor sperm is used the woman is the gestational and genetic
mother of the child produced, and the sperm donor is the genetic or biological father of the child

ADVANTAGES OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

1. Ability to check quality of semen before breeding.

2. Positive control of reproductive diseases.

3. Saves time.

4. Eliminate "social" problems of sire or dam.

5. Ability to breed more often.

6. Proven higher conception rates.

7. Proven larger litter sizes.

8. Proven better puppy survival rates.

 9. Potentially less return breedings.

10. The best way to breed a virgin bitch without possible harm to sire or dam

1. The main advantage of artificial insemination (A.I.) is that it increases the

usefulness of superior sire to an extra ordinary degree. It makes available sires of
inheritance for milk and butter fat production to all dairymen within a limited area.
Previously only a few could get the advantage of good bulls.

2. The services of superior sires are greatly extended. By natural services, a bull
can be bred to 50 to 60 cows per year. On the other hand, by artifical insemination
technique thousands of cows can be sired in one year by one bull.

3. The breeder does not need to maintain a herd sire and thus can avoid the
botherations accompanied with the management of a bull. It helps to regulate the
breeding programme and the space between successive calvings without
unnecessarily prolonging the dry period.

4. The dairyman does not have the problem of searching and purchasing a new
herd sire every two years to avoid inbreeding.

5. The technique of artificial insemination can be made useful in cross breeding for
hybrid vigour by quickly transporting the semen by air to different continents.

6. The intensity of the spread of genital diseases is minimized if artificial

insemination is conducted under complete sanitary conditions by the specially
trained persons.
7. It overcomes the difficulty of size and weight.

8. It increases the rate of conception in females.

9. Outstanding animals located apart can be mated.

10. It helps in better record keeping.

11. Old, heavy and injured sires can also be used with

Disadvantages
However, despite a number of advantages over natural breeding processes,
artificial insemination has certain limitations. These are as follows.

1. It requires well trained operators and special equipments.

2. It requires more time than natural services.
3. It necessitates the knowledge of structure and function of reproduction on the
part of the operator.
4. Improper cleaning of the instruments and insanitary conditions may lead to lower
fertility.
5.Market for the bulls is reduced while that for the superior germplasm is increased.
6. Selection of the sire should be very rigid in all respect.
7. Preservation and transportation of semen is difficult under severe climatic
conditions like those prevailing in most parts of India.

Signs of Estrus

The onset of behavioral estrous activity is usually gradual and occurs over several
hours. Thus, theintensity of estrus and the typical pattern of behavior in a given cow
will vary from the beginning to the end of estrus. Knowledge of these gradual
changes in signs of estrus can be used by a producer to indicate if a cow is coming
into or going out of estrus. Recording estrual signs on a calendar can often help a
producer interpret the signs during the next estrous cycle. The onset of behavioral
estrous activity is usually gradual and occurs over several hours. Thus, the intensity
of estrus and the typical pattern of behavior in a given cow will vary from the
beginning to the end of estrus. Knowledge of these gradual changes in signs of
estrus can be used by a producer to indicate if a cow is coming into or going out of
estrus. Recording estrual signs on a calendar can often help a producer interpret
the signs during the next estrous cycle.

Signs During Standing Estrus

Early signs of estrus continue. A cow now stands to be mounted by another cow.
While some cows begin to walk away due to the weight of the mounting cow, a cow
should be considered in standing estrus if she does not avoid the mount initially and
does not turn and butt or attack the mounting cow. The number of mounts and the
amount of time between mounts for a cow during standing estrus varies a great
deal due to the number of cows in estrus at that time, footing for the
cows,environmental temperature, and other factors.Research has shown that an
average cow will stand to be mounted approximately 4 times/hour during standing
estrus, with each mount lasting about 7 seconds. A thin, clear, watery mucus
discharge from the vulva is a signal that a cow is in estrus.This mucus is secreted by
the cervix and vagina and resembles the white of an egg. The cow’s mounting
activity causes it to flow from the lips of the vulva and become deposited on the tail
and pin bones giving them a wet appearance. Sometimes cows in stanchions or tie-
stalls have a pool of this clear mucus in the gutter behind them.The mucus
discharge is most noticeable during mid-estrus, and a decreased mucus flow with a
less watery appearance is observed in Iate estrus. This clear discharge should not
be confused with a white or pus-like discharge which may be an indication of
vaginal or uterine infections (Fact Sheet IRM-22). Feed intake may be reduced
during estrus. Also, a drop in milk production may indicate estrus in some cows
while other cows are unaffected. Cows exhibiting these changes should be observed
carefully for other signs to confirm estrus.

Late Signs

● Cows no longer stand to be ridden, but may mount another cow in standing
estrus.

● Hair on the tailhead is rough or rubbed off due to mounting. Mud or manure on
the hips or rear flanks is also a sign that mounting may have occurred.

● Hair on the tail or directly below the vulva may be matted because of dried
mucus.

Reference:-

1. omurtlak.bloguez.com/omurtlak/566718/artificial-insemination-farm-animals?
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