INTRODUCTION

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN
LARGE RUMINANTS
Artificial Insemination in the
Philippines
Unified National Artificial Insemination
Program (UNAIP)

•Program of Department of Agriculture

entailed to enhance and improve breeding
efficiencies of ruminants through artificial
insemination
Unified National Artificial Insemination
Program (UNAIP)
•Enhancement of the AI delivery system at
the village level through the LGUs and
village based AI technicians
 Statistics
ANIMALS NUMBER (HEADS)
Animals inseminated through UNAIP (as of 2014. Source: BAI, DA)
Beef Cattle 38,418
Dairy Cattle 4,208
Carabao/Buffalo 48,933
Goat 645
TOTAL 92,204
 Statistics
ANIMALS NUMBER (HEADS)
Pregnancy diagnosis (as of 2014. Source: BAI, DA)
Percentage

Beef Cattle 5,385/14,903 35.8

Dairy Cattle 682/1,175 58.0
Carabao/Buffalo 3,650/13,634 26.8
 Statistics
ANIMALS
Animals produced (as of 2014. Source: BAI, DA) NUMBER (HEADS)
Beef Cattle 12,852
Dairy Cattle 863
Carabao/Buffalo 6,937
Goat 311
TOTAL 20,963
Artificial Insemination
History

• It may have been used as far back as 1322, at which

time an Arab chieftain used artificial methods to
impregnate a prized mare.

• The first scientific research relative to A.I. in

domestic animals was conducted with dogs by the
Italian physiologist Lazarro Spallanzani.

Source: DA-RO1
What Is AI?

• General definition-the introduction of semen

into the oviduct or uterus by some means
other than sexual intercourse.
• Ag definition- the use of semen from a
genetically superior male to inseminate a
female resulting in a genetically superior
offspring.

Source: DA-RO1
Where Is AI Used?

• Cattle
• Horses • Turkey
• Swine • Chickens
• Sheep • Rabbits
• Goats • Fish
• Dogs • Humans

Source: DA-RO1
Why Use AI?

• AI provides the producer an opportunity to

use sires possessing superior genetics.
Depending upon the needs and goals of an
individual's breeding program, AI offers an
economically feasible means of increasing
productivity over a wide range of traits.

Source: DA-RO1
Why Use AI?

•In spite of this enormous potential to

improve production levels, many
producers have not put themselves in
a position to take advantage of the
benefits offered by AI.

Source: DA-RO1
Advantages

• Best possible sires of proven quality

• Disease control
• Cost effectiveness
• Flexibility
• Safety
• No bull, stallion, ram, boar, etc.

Source: DA-RO1
Advantages of AI
• Genetic Improvement
• Wide spread use and availability of genetically superior sires
• 1 bull can breed 500,000 cows in a lifetime
• After death, semen can be used
• Oldest frozen semen 40 - 45 years old
• Rapid proof of sire
• Progeny testing examines offspring for desired traits
• With natural mating would only have 100’s of offspring

Source: DA-RO1
Advantages of AI (cont.)

•Availability of sires
•Sires anywhere in world
•Danger of bull (male) removed
•Disease reduction

Source: DA-RO1
Advantages of AI (cont.)

•Crossbreeding
•Can try without buying sire
•Improved management
•Start to keep records

Source: DA-RO1
Advantages of AI (cont.)

•Economics
•Cost of very good sire is reduced
because extend semen
•Cost to maintain sire’s reduced as don’t
need as many to breed all the females

Source: DA-RO1
QUESTION

•What do you think are

the disadvantages of
artificial insemination?
Disadvantages

• Estrus detection must be good

• Trained inseminator
• Bull semen the best, other species not as good
• Use of poor male may increase if not tested
well
• Technology to store cooled or frozen semen
• Difficult to maintain
Considerations before engaging in AI

• Nature of operation
• Availability of stocks and materials
• Health of herd
• Technical knowledge of farm personnel
• Cost
Career Opportunities after this course

•AI technician
•Semen collector and processor
•Researcher and lab technician
•Herd evaluator
Career Opportunities after this course

•Sire procurement/sampling officer

•Semen distributor
•Sire provider
•AI tools distributor/market
Responsibilities of AI technician

• Inseminate in heat animals within area of

responsibility
• Oversight of post-AI management of animal
• Provide management instructions to animal owner
• Perform follow-up pregnancy checks for AI’ed
animals
• Share technical knowledge on proper heat
detection and management of in heat animals