Cervical insemination in sheep

Abstract

In this study, the effect of the insemination dose (250 or 500 x 10 6 fresh spermatozoa) on pregnancy rate at 35 days post-insemination (PI) in synchronized ewes was analyzed. The 30 days non-return rate was determined by the introduction of an intact ram harnessed with a crayon at 10 days PI. At 35±2 days PI, the ewes were scanned for pregnancy by means of transrectal ultrasonography (7 MHz). Five months PI, the lambing rate and fecundity were recorded. No significant differences (p<0.05) were found in non-return rate, pregnancy or fecundity between 250 and 500 x 10 6 fresh spermatozoa per insemination dose. Increasing the number of spermatozoa from 250 x 10 6 to 500 x 10 6 per insemination dose did however improve the lambing rate (p<0.1). Pregnancy control by transrectal ultrasound (7 MHz) at 35±2 days was at least as reliable as a teaser ram.