Artificial Insemination-the Basics
Artificial Insemination is relatively new to the TWH
breed, although we were 3-4 years ahead of the QH, and the TB still does not
recognize the technique as the way of the future for breeding.
Semen is collected from the stallion in an “artificial
vagina” as he “jumps” a phantom, or dummy mare. Some stallions need to jump a real, hormonally controlled
mare and be diverted to the container. The
semen is then analyzed for quality and sperm count, and diluted with
“extender”, the type of which is determined by whether the semen is to be
shipped, or used immediately for mares on the same farm.
The semen is then shipped (usually by FedEx) or inserted into the uterus
of a mare about to ovulate using the most sterile procedure possible.
(Some stallion’s semen can and has been frozen and can be purchased
that way, but the state of the art is such that the pregnancy rate is much lower
than for semen that has been “cooled” and shipped.
The bovine industry is way ahead of the equine in this regard, but we
will get there. Of course, if a
stallion is very old, or injured, etc. freezing may be the only alternative.) The one time pregnancy rate with AI is somewhat less than
with natural cover, and is slightly higher if the mare is at the farm where the stallion
is collected as opposed to having the semen cooled and shipped.
HOWEVER, over the course of a mare’s lifetime, if she is bred only with
AI she will give you 3 more foals. AI
allows you access to genes worldwide, avoids the trauma and infection inherent
in natural cover, allows you to keep your mare (and last foal) in your care, and
avoids the disastrous injuries frequently suffered by stallions covering mares
naturally. AI is possible with a
majority of stallions, however some will not cooperate, or for some unknown
reason their sperm will not survive cooling and shipping.
Investment Genius, once studied and found to be a superior
candidate for AI and free of disease, has ONLY been bred by AI.
That includes mares on the W/W Ranch, whether from outside or our own
mares.
AI involves different expenses than natural cover.
A stud fee is still applicable. Boarding
fees may or may not apply, depending on whether you take your mare to a breeding
facility for the procedure, or do it at home.
A fee is usually charged for each collection, and may or may not cover
shipping charges. A fee may be
charged for the rental of the shipping/cooling container (Equitainer).
(Currently the stud fee for Investment Genius covers two free
collections, with the mare owner responsible for shipping charges.)
The timing of the insemination is critical, and the development of the
mare’s follicle must usually be determined by a veterinarian, using
ultra-sound. This can involve
considerable expense and needs to be carefully investigated before deciding on
your course of action.
For your interest, a copy of the instructions for
performing the insemination procedure is included below. A copy is sent with
every shipment.
INSTRUCTIONS
FOR INSEMINATION WITH FRESH COOLED SEMEN
STALLION: INVESTMENT GENIUS
At
least 1 X 10 9 progressively
motile spermatozoa/ bag have been shipped. Please follow directions outlined
below:
I.
Perform a follicle exam before insemination.
2. Do not inseminate until the mare
has a softened follicle that is >30 mm and the cervix is relaxed.
3. Wrap and tie mare's tail to side.
4. Thoroughly cleanse perineal area.
(We recommend using alternating scrubs with Ivory liquid and warm H20,
three times, washing the entire anal and vulvar area widely.)
5. Blot perineal area dry.
6. Using a sterile syringe, open or
puncture the bag containing the semen (not black ballast bag) and draw out
semen. Do not add anything to the semen.
Avoid semen exposure to
light, air, cold, heat, water, etc.
DO NOT WARM SEMEN
7.
Using a sterile sleeve and pipette, pass the insemination rod through the
cervix, into the uterus and inseminate the contents of one sperm package
(usually up to 50 cc).
8. An additional 2-3 ml of air may be
used to clear the pipette.
9. To check motility, place a small
drop of semen on a slide with cover slip and place on a heated (370)microscope stage,
waiting five minutes before examination. (Other means of warming to 370 C
are OK if drying, or other damage to the sperm does not occur.)
10. Procedure may be repeated in 24
hours---leave remaining semen in the transport container.
DO NOT REFRIGERATE! (Unless
you can maintain sample at exactly 50C, with no variation, the
spermatozoa will fare better left in the Equitainer).
Statistics now favor more than one insemination.
11. HCG (2500~5000
iu) should be given at the time of insemination to coordinate ovulation with
the arrival of capacitated spermatozoa. If you are assured that quality semen
will arrive when expected, HCG may be given as soon as the pre-ovulatory
follicle has reached 3Omm, with ovulation expected within 48 hours.
12. Post-breeding infusions or
oxytotic injections may be performed 4-6 hours following insemination.
Do not continue attempts to clean the uterus after 4 days post first
insemination.
13. Mares should undergo a
pregnancy ultrasound exam 12-16 days following ovulation. If in foal, she should
be re-evaluated on the schedule recommended by your veterinarian.
14.
If the mare has ovulated
prior to the arrival of sperm, it still may prove fruitful to inseminate.
15. If
the mare has not ovulated after 36-48 hours after first insemination, request
another shipment of semen.
TO PROSPECTIVE SHIPPED-SEMEN
CLIENTS OF W/W
At
the W/W, we use the most modern techniques for collecting, processing,
and shipping semen.
The owner has combined her thirty years of experience in human medicine
(specifically, the sterile techniques used in operating rooms) with numerous
courses in artificial insemination and shipping of cooled semen of horses.
Our educational efforts included a course which both the stallion,
Investment Genius, and his handlers attended.
This was under the direction of Ed Squires, DVM and Lisa Metcalf, DVM,
both renowned equine reproductive experts.
We offer you semen of exceptional quality, with far above average cooling
and transport viability and storage capabilities.
If at all possible we will send you THREE bags of semen, each with at
least 1 billion progressively motile sperm, at an optimum concentration.
Our
experience dictates that the most difficult problem in the artificial
insemination process is the determination of the recipient mare's health and
capabilities; cycling the mare; determining and/or manipulating the
time of ovulation; and ordering and inseminating at the correct point in time. The selection of a veterinarian with the appropriate experience and
equipment is crucial! This
cannot be stressed enough! You need
to start early! Get as exact data
as possible on the mare's obstetric history. Start December 1 if using lights to
stimulate early cycling. Document (in writing) everything possible you can learn
about her cycle. Have an ultrasound (and culture if indicated) done to rule out
infection/fluid in the uterus that would prevent pregnancy. A good
"teasing" situation needs to be developed. Early, spring cycles which are prolonged or erratic
(transitional) need to be terminated hormonally to get her cycling regularly.
Remember that 20-30 % of mares will have an abnormal cycle (too long or
not in time) during a season (usually due to a persistent follicle or corpus
luteum on the ovary)--a change in her cycles must be recognized and treated by
the vet. Follicle development needs to be followed DAILY until 30-35
mm, when sperm should be requested. Insemination
should be accompanied by a shot of HCG to cause ovulation.
(If given when requesting semen, delays in transportation might result in
ovulation prior to the arrival of the semen if the semen goes astray.
Remember, IG stores longer and
better than most stallions. A
little early is better than late.) Repeating
insemination even if ovulation has occurred is probably to your advantage. (More
than one insemination statistically results in better take rates.)
If the mare can not be followed exactly at home due to distance, vet
care, work, etc., she should be moved temporarily to the veterinarian or
breeding farm for the development of the follicle to be followed and the
insemination to be done. (This is
usually a matter of a few days.)
If
you didn't understand everything above, don't feel like the Lone Ranger. Be sure your vet knows!
And/or call us and we will help you.
Everyone's mare is different, and everyone's situation is different.
We will try to work it out with you.
Your mare's pregnancy can be detected at approximately
two weeks by ultrasound. If twins are detected these MUST BE reduced by 16 days.
Unfortunately occasionally a twin pregnancy is often missed this early; they
must be detected and eliminated before 35 days.
If the mare aborts after 35 days she will not be breedable for the rest
of the season. Eliminating twins reduces late fetal loss and the possible
disastrous consequences to the mare of a late twin delivery.
Colo. State University experts
recommend multiple post-breeding ultrasounds; obviously this is not within the
means of most of us. It is
essential before 16 days, and before 35 days.
You and your vet have to agree on the optimum number to ensure the
pregnancy is maintained. It
is probably a good idea to check that the pregnancy has been maintained to 60
days (the time of highest loss).
Our
experience also has shown that problem mares (especially older mares) will have
a much greater chance of conception if they are bred on premises under our care
if you are within reasonable distance of the W/W.
While this may seem to be an added expense, it will probably save you
money on repeated shipments of sperm and additional veterinary expenses.
We
will stand behind the quality of our semen shipments.
If we cannot get exceptional semen to you in a timely manner, we will
gladly reship at our expense.
I
will be happy to answer all questions about the procedure.
Since AI is relatively new to this breed, we must all put in extra effort
to educate ourselves. Remember: AI
allows you access to the finest of genes, worldwide; it offers your mare (and
foals at side) much greater safety; and statistics from the University of
Colorado have shown that mares bred only by AI have a much greater
productivity (i.e. three more foals per life span, a serious condemnation of
natural cover). Of course, stallion
owners understand how much better they sleep at night knowing their stallion
won't be kicked to death in the morning.
Artificial
insemination is the way of the future for the production of quality horses.
It is just going to take some work on our part, some re-education, and
the abandonment of some old, but well-loved ideas about our revered brood-mares.
In the end, it is they that will benefit, and give us beautiful colts in
return.
Sincerely,
Joan
M. Winsor, M.D.
