Effect of artificial insemination methods on reproductive efficiency of Zandi ewes inseminated with fresh and frozen sperm

Document Type : Full Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.

2 The Breeding Station of Zandi Sheep, Pishwa, Varamin, Iran.

3 Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tarbiat Modares. Tehran, Iran.

4 Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture Islamic Azad University, Ghaemshahr Branch, Ghaemshahr, Iran.

5 Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of artificial insemination methods on reproduction efficiency of Zandi ewes inseminated with fresh and frozen semen. Two hundred and forty Zandi ewes (three- to four-years old, 55 kg weight) received CIDR for 12 days and at the time of CIDR removal, received 400 IU of eCG and were artificially inseminated 54 h after CIDR removal. Groups one to three included 120 ewes that were assigned into three equal groups and inseminated vaginally, by laparoscopy and transcervically, respectively with fresh semen. Groups four to six included 120 ewes that were assigned into four equal groups and inseminated vaginally, by laparoscopy and transcervically, respectively with frozen semen. The results showed that during using fresh semen, differences between artificial insemination methods were not significant, but during using frozen semen, the fertility rate was higher in laparoscopy method than other methods (P<0.05). After laparoscopy, transcervical artificial insemination had higher efficiency than vaginal insemination method (P<0.05). It can be concluded that using frozen semen, highest efficiency will be obtained if laparoscopy condition is available, otherwise, transcervical artificial insemination via oxytocin will be better than the vaginal method.

Keywords


1. Anel, L., M. Kaabi, B. Abroug, M. Alvarez, E. Anel, J.C. Boixo et al. 2005. Factors influencing the success of vaginal and laparoscopic artificial insemination in churra ewes: a field assay. Theriogenology 63: 1235-1247.
2. Armstrong, D.T. and G. Evans. 1984. Intrauterine insemination enhances fertility of frozen semen in superovulated ewes. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 71: 89-94.
3. Ayad, V.J., S.T. Leung, T.J. Parkinson and D.C. Wathes. 2004. Coincident increases in oxytocin receptor expression and EMG responsiveness to oxytocin in the ovine cervix at oestrus. Animal Reproduction Science 80: 237-250.
4. Ehling, C., P. Wirth, L. Schindler, K.G. Hadeler, H.H. Dopke, E. Lemme, et al. 2003. Laparoscopical intrauterine insemination with different doses of fresh, conserved, and frozen semen for the production of ovine zygotes. Theriogenology 60: 777-787.
5. Evans, G. and W.M.C. Maxwell. 1987. Salmon`s artificial insemination of sheep and goats. Butterworths 55-170.
6. Fair, S., J.P. Hanrahan, C.M. O'Meara, P. Duffy, D. Rizos, M. et al. 2005. Differences between Belclare and Suffolk ewes in fertilization rate, embryo quality and accessory sperm number after cervical or laparoscopic artificial insemination. Theriogenology 63: 1995-2005.
7. Kershaw, C.M., M. Khalid, M.R. McGowan, K. Ingram, S. Leethongdee, G. Wax. Et al. 2005. The anatomy of the sheep cervix and its influence on the transcervical passage of an inseminating pipette into the uterine lumen. Theriogenology 64: 1225-1235.
8. Khalifa, R.M., B.L. Sayre and G.S. Lewis. 1992. Exogenous oxytocin dilates the cervix in ewes. Journal of Animal Science 70: 38-42.
9. Lightfoot, R.J. and S. Salamon. 1970. Fertility of ram spermatozoa frozen by the pellet method. I. Transport and viability of spermatozoa within the genital tract of the ewe. Journal of Reproduction and Fertility 22: 385-398.
10. Salamon, S. and W.M.C. Maxwell. 1995. Frozen storage of ram semen I. Processing, freezing, thawing and fertility after cervical insemination. Animal Reproduction Science 37: 185-249.
11. Sayre, B.L. and G.S. Lewis. 1996. Cervical dilation with exogenous oxytocin does not affect sperm movement into the oviducts in ewes. Theriogenology 45: 1523-1533.
12. Sayre, B.L. and G.S. Lewis. 1997. Fertility and ovum fertilization rate after laparoscopic or transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination of oxytocin-treated ewes. Theriogenology 48: 267-275.
13. Stellflug, J.N., M.W. Wulster-Radcliffe, E.L. Hensley, E.A. Cowardin, R.C. Seals and G.S. Lewis. 2001. Oxytocin-induced cervical dilation and cervical manipulation in sheep: effects on laparoscopic artificial insemination. Journal of Animal Science 79: 568-573.
14. Verberckmoes, S., I. De Pauw, A. Van Soom, G. Vanroose, H. Laevens and A. De Kruif. 2001. Cervical insemination in sheep. Vlaams Diergeneeskunding Tijdschrift 70: 475-480.
15. Wulster-Radcliffe, M.C., B.A. Costine and G.S. Lewis. 1999. Estradiol-17 beta-oxytocin-induced cervical dilation in sheep: application to transcervical embryo transfer. Journal of Animal Science 77: 2587-2593.