Successful Low Dose Insemination of Flow Cytometrically Sorted Ram Spermatozoa in Sheep

The fertility of ram spermatozoa that had undergone flow cytometric sorting (MoFlo SX) and cryopreservation was assessed after low-dose insemination of synchronized Merino ewes. Oestrus was synchronized with progestagen-impregnated pessaries, PMSG and GnRH treatment. Ewes (n = 360) were inseminated with 1 x 10(6), 5 x 10(6) or 15 x 10(6) motile sorted frozen-thawed (S(1), S(5), or S(15) respectively) or non-sorted frozen-thawed (C(1), C(5) or C(15) respectively) spermatozoa from three rams. An additional group of ewes were inseminated with 50 x 10(6) motile non-sorted frozen-thawed spermatozoa (C(50)) to provide a commercial dose control. The percentage of ewes lambing after insemination was similar for C(50) (24/38, 63.2%), C(15) (37/54, 68.5%), S(15) (38/57, 66.7%), S(5) (37/56, 66.1%) and S(1) (32/52, 61.5%) groups (p > 0.05), but lower for C(5) (19/48, 39.6%) and C(1) (19/55, 34.5%) treatments (p < 0.05). This study demonstrates sorted ram spermatozoa are equally fertile to non-sorted spermatozoa even when inseminated at 2% of the dose. Furthermore, at very low artificial insemination doses (1 or 5 million motile) the fertility of sorted ram spermatozoa is superior to non-sorted spermatozoa inseminated in equal numbers. These results have significance for the future commercialization of sex-preselection technology in sheep as a reduction in the minimum effective sperm number will allow a corresponding decrease in the associated cost per dose.     

Comparative efficiency of novel laparoscopic and routine vaginal inseminations with cryopreserved semen in rabbits

Laparoscopic artificial insemination technique (LAI) is described to overcome reduced fertility problems in sheep artificial insemination (AI) programmes with frozen semen. Later on, this technology was modified for endangered non-domestic cats to deposit low quality or reduced number of sperm cells hardly obtained by electro-ejaculation into the oviduct. This technique by passes the complex structure of cervix and efficiently transfers the sperm cells to the point of fertilization. In recent years, rabbits are becoming popular transgenic animal models producing various therapeutic and commercial products, as well as being experimental animals for disease models. The worldwide transportation of frozen semen and re-establishment of transgenic lines using AI technology has become a common practice. Therefore, this study was designed to describe a laparoscopic intrauterine insemination technique, which might assist in conceiving the animals with limited number of sperm cells. The female rabbits were laparoscopically (n = 22) or vaginally (n = 13) inseminated with frozen–thawed semen samples containing approximately 10 × 10⁶ motile sperm. The laparoscopic insemination technique provided higher pregnancy rate (45.5%) than vaginal insemination technique (7.7%) (p < .05). In conclusion, the described laparoscopic AI might be a new alternative technique, thus enabling limited or low-quality frozen sperm samples to establish pregnancy in rabbits.     

Effect of Ram Age on Structural and Functional Competence of Frozen–Thawed Spermatozoa in Dairy Sheep

The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of ram age on structural and functional competence of frozen–thawed spermatozoa and to test the hypothesis that increasing number of sperm bound to the zona pellucida in vitro was associated with decreasing in vivo fertility of frozen semen. Rams were allocated into two groups. Each group consisted of five rams aged either 1–2 years (young) or 4–5 years (mature). Three successive ejaculates were collected from each ram using an artificial vagina. Only ejaculates of ≥ 2.5 × 10⁹ sperm/ml and 80% sperm progressive motility were pooled per ram, diluted with Bioxcell^® medium and frozen in 0.25 ml straws. The end points of post‐thawing semen evaluation were computer‐assisted cell motility analysis, sperm capacitation (chlortetracycline assay), simultaneous assessment of plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential and condensation status of nucleus, per‐cell analysis of lipid peroxidation using C11‐BODIPY^581/591, sperm‐hemizona binding (HZB) ability and sperm fertility after laparoscopic insemination of ewes (n = 114) in the progestagen‐synchronized oestrus. The results showed that mature rams had significantly lower values of sperm hyperactivated motility and peroxidized sperm, higher percentages of live non‐capacitated sperm and sperm cells with intact plasma membrane, functional mitochondria and condensed chromatin, as well as, greater lambing rate and ewe prolificacy. Sperm HZB binding ability was higher (p < 0.05) for young than for mature rams. Significant correlations were found between number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida and semen fertility (r = ?0.63 to ?0.71). In conclusion, mature rams have better semen quality and in vivo fertility than young rams. Cryocapacitation can be involved in decreasing ram semen fertility as evidenced by the high number of spermatozoa bound to the zona pellucida in vitro.     

高原型藏羊的采精及细管冻精授配技术试验

为提高青海高原型藏羊选育工作,探索羊的人工采精和细管冻精技术在高寒地区的应用效果,对青海省海北州祁连3只高原型藏种公羊和玛多县30只高原型藏母羊进行了选育试验,实验结果表明:藏种公羊鲜精采集量平均为1.5mL,呈乳白或乳黄色、无气味、有云雾状,平均活力冻前鲜精为0.65,高出一般羊精子标准活力的0.075,冻后为0.35~0.5,高出本省羊精子标准活力0.1,且经冷配后的30只藏母羊均无返情现象。本实验对于藏羊的改良有重要的实践意义,对于改善纯种高原型藏羊也有重要的参考价值。     

Fertility after different artificial insemination methods using a synthetic semen extender in sheep

The present study aimed to investigate the fertility of ewes artificially inseminated with three different methods using a synthetic semen extender, AndroMed. The three methods of artificial insemination (AI) were cervical AI with fresh-diluted or frozen-diluted semen at observed estrus, and an intrauterine AI with frozen-thawed semen. A total of 80 ewes were treated with a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) containing 0.3 g progesterone per device for 12 days. In Experiment 1 (26 Suffolk ewes), superovulation was induced with 20 mg follicle-stimulating hormone and 250 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) two days and one day before CIDR removal, respectively, during the non-breeding season. In Experiment 2 (54 Suffolk and Suffolk crossbred ewes), an intramuscular injection of 500 IU eCG was administered one day before CIDR removal to synchronize estrus and ovulation during the breeding season. In Experiment 1, fresh-diluted or frozen-thawed semen was deposited into the cervical orifice after estrus detection, and an intrauterine AI with frozen-thawed semen was performed by laparoscopy at a fixed-time basis without estrus detection. Embryos were recovered by uterine flushing 6 days after AI, and the rates of recovered, fertilized (cleaved) ova and embryos at the morula or blastocyst stage were compared among the three AI methods. In Experiment 2, the pregnancy rates after the three AI methods were compared. In Experiment 1, the rates of recovered ova were not significantly different among the three AI methods (52.5-56.7%). The rate of fertilized ova (81.0%) by laparoscopic AI with frozen-thawed semen was significantly higher compared with cervical AI of fresh-diluted (25.5%) or frozen-thawed (3.5%) semen, but the rate of embryos at the morula or blastocyst stage (17.6%) was significantly lower than that of the cervical AI with fresh-diluted semen (69.2%). The rates of ewes yielding fertilized ova were not significantly different among the three groups (44.4, 11.1 and 62.5% for cervical AI with fresh-diluted and frozen-thawed semen and intrauterine AI with frozen-thawed semen). In Experiment 2, the pregnancy rate of ewes intrauterinally inseminated with frozen-thawed semen (72.2%) was significantly higher than those of ewes inseminated cervically with fresh-diluted (5.5%) or frozen-thawed (0.0%) semen. The present results showed that acceptable fertilization and pregnancy rates could be obtained by an intrauterine AI with frozen-thawed semen using a synthetic semen extender (AndroMed), but not sufficient by the cervical AI with either fresh or frozen semen.     

Intrauterine and intravaginal insemination with frozen canine semen using an extender consisting of orvus ES paste-supplemented egg yolk tris-fructose citrate

Our previous report indicated that addition of Orvus ES Paste (OEP) to the extender of frozen canine semen protected acrosomes and maintained sperm motility after thawing. In this study, artificial insemination (AI) using the frozen semen was carried out. The frozen semen was prepared using egg yolk Tris-fructose citrate, and the final concentrations of glycerol and OEP were 7% (v/v) and 0.75% (v/v), respectively. AI was performed during the optimal mating period predicted from the peripheral plasma progesterone level. In intrauterine insemination (IUI), the bitches were laparotomized and 1 x 10(8) spermatozoa were infused into one of the uterine horns. In insemination of non-OEP supplemented semen, 3 x 10(8) spermatozoa were inseminated. In intravaginal insemination (IVI), 10-40 x 10(8) spermatozoa were inseminated. Conception was obtained in nine of 10 bitches (90.0%) that underwent IUI. The number of newborns was from 1 to 7 (mean 3.6 +/- 0.9). The mean ratio of the number of puppies to the number of ovulations in the inseminated uterine horn was 71.8%. The number of puppies did not exceed the number of ovulation in the inseminated uterine horn. Conception using non-OEP supplemented frozen semen was unsuccessful in all four bitches. In IVI, conception was not obtained in any of the six bitches that received insemination of 10 x 10(8) or 40 x 10(8) spermatozoa, but two of three bitches that received insemination of 20 x 10(8) spermatozoa were fertilized. It was shown that a high conception rate can be obtained by IUI using OEP-supplemented frozen canine semen. Developmenmt of a non-surgical method of IUI and a method of freezing canine sperm applicable to IVI is necessary.     

Effect on Field Fertility of Addition of Gelatine,Different Dilution Rates and Storage Times of Cooled Ram Semen After Vaginal Insemination

In a field trial, 633 ewes from 24 farms were inseminated vaginally using liquid semen (150 × 10⁶ per dose) collected from 15 rams. The semen was either diluted with a milk‐based extender (M), filled in 0.2 ml straws and stored for 12 or 24 h (M12, M24) or diluted with M but with the addition of gelatine, filled in 0.5 ml straws and stored for 12 or 24 h (G12, G24). The hypothesis was that a larger volume and the addition of gelatine would prolong the survival of the spermatozoa. The ewes, aged between 6 months and 5.5 years, were allocated into four groups and inseminated after natural oestrus by the farmers themselves with a dose of 150 × 10⁶ spermatozoa. Inseminations in the groups (M12, M24, G12, G24) resulted in lambing rates of 69.6%, 63.6%, 69.4% and 58.3% (overall 65.2%), respectively. Farmer (p < .0002) had a significant effect on the lambing rate, while ram, age of the ewe and dilution rate/addition of gelatine/storage time had not. A pair‐wise comparison of the lambing rates between the four groups showed that significant lower results were only achieved for G24 compared with M12. None of the other comparisons showed significant differences. In conclusion, a higher dilution rate of the AI‐dose together with the addition of gelatine to the semen extender did not lead to improved fertility results after storage for 24 h when compared with standard AI‐doses used in Norway.     

Influence of body weight and number of inseminations on fertility of progestogen-treated ewe lambs raised in controlled environments

The influence of body weight at breeding on reproductive response to one and two artificial inseminations (AI) of fresh extended semen was assessed in 195 crossbred ewe lambs selected for early breeding and compared with 159 adult ewes, all housed indoors in a controlled environment. In six trials, ewe lambs and adult ewes in progestogen-induced estrus were inseminated 55 to 57 h after sponge removal. One-half of the lambs and one-fourth of the adults received a second insemination at 60 h. Resultant reproductive performance of both groups indicated no advantage in a double insemination. Overall fertility, litter size and fecundity after one and two inseminations were 33%, 1.7 and .6 for ewe lambs and 68%, 2.4 and 1.6 for adult ewes, respectively. Embryonic mortality after the first 2 wk of pregnancy was estimated at 24% for ewe lambs and 9% for adults. The influence of body weight was analyzed by grouping the ewe lambs according to body weight at breeding. The lambs in group 1 weighed 30 to 35 kg; group 2, 36 to 40 kg; group 3, 41 to 45 kg and group 4, 46 to 50 kg. The proportion of ewes lambing in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 was 16, 34, 39 and 48%, respectively. Corresponding litter sizes were 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0. Fecundity increased (P less than 01) from .2 in group 1 to 1.0 in group 4. The results indicate that even when ewe lambs are bred by AI (eliminating a ram behavioral problem), sheep with heavier body weights produce more lambs per ewe bred.     

Achieving canine pregnancy by using frozen or chilled extended semen

Successful artificial insemination in the dog requires good timing of the insemination, skilled collection and handling of the semen, and mastering of insemination techniques. The bitch should be inseminated late in estrus. The insemination dose should contain at least 150 to 200 x 10(6) spermatozoa. Fresh semen can be inseminated vaginally, whereas frozen-thawed semen should be inseminated into the uterus. Pregnancy rates of 84% with fresh semen and 69% with frozen semen are reported.     

Meningoencephalitis and other conditions associated with Histophilus ovis infection in sheep

Histophilus ovis was isolated from 29 sheep in 20 flocks and 2 artificial insemination (AI) centres in southern New South Wales from 1984 to 1990. The clinical and pathological findings were consistent with previous reports and included polyarthritis (7 flocks), epididymo-orchitis (5), meningoencephalitis (3), pneumonia (3), septicaemia (2), mastitis (1) and metritis (1). Six sheep had meningoencephalitis, a syndrome not previously associated with H ovis infection in sheep, which was similar pathologically to thromboembolic meningoencephalitis in cattle, caused by the related organism, Haemophilus somnus. H ovis was isolated from the semen of 12-month-old rams in a flock that had polyarthritis due to H ovis, in 4-month-old ram lambs and from the uterus of a ewe in a flock that had sporadic cases of H ovis septicaemia.     

Artificial insemination outcomes in beef females using bovine sperm with a detectable fertility-associated antigen

In this study, semen samples from 25 bulls that had passed a breeding soundness evaluation were analyzed for the presence or absence of a 31-kDa protein, known as fertility-associated antigen (FAA), on spermatozoal membranes. Eighteen bulls had FAA on sperm (FAA-positive) and seven were devoid of FAA on sperm (FAA-negative). A single ejaculate from each bull was extended and frozen with 25 to 30 x 10(6) sperm in .5-mL straws. Crossbred replacement heifers (n = 865) were estrus-synchronized and artificially inseminated either at timed AI or 12 h after they were detected in estrus. Mature cows (n = 285) were inseminated 12 h after they were detected in estrus during a 45-d AI period. Pregnancy rates (pooled) to first AI service for females (n = 764) inseminated with FAA-positive sperm were 65.6% and were 49.7% for females (n = 386) inseminated with FAA-negative sperm (P < .005). Among the estrus-synchronized replacement heifers, pregnancy rates to synchronized AI service for heifers (n = 550) inseminated with FAA-positive sperm were 62% and were 45.7% for heifers (n = 315) inseminated with FAA-negative sperm (P < .005). These data indicate that pregnancy rates to first AI service at spontaneous and synchronized estrus are higher when using semen from bulls with detectable FAA on spermatozoal membranes compared to semen from bulls devoid of FAA on membranes. Fertility-associated antigen is an important determinant for fertility potential of sperm from bulls to be used in AI breeding programs.     

Effect of deposition site and sperm number on the fertility of sheep inseminated with liquid semen

The effect of the deposition site and the numbers of sperm on the fertility of sheep was tested in a field trial in which 1292 Norwegian crossbred ewes aged between six months and five-and-a-half years from 52 farms were inseminated with liquid semen after natural oestrus. Cervical insemination with 150 x 10(6) and 75 x 10(6) spermatozoa resulted in 25-day non-return rates of 63.7 and 56.1 per cent, and vaginal insemination gave non-return rates of 63.3 and 56.6 per cent, respectively. There was no significant difference between the cervical and vaginal inseminations, but the inseminations with 150 x 10(6) spermatozoa gave significantly higher non-return rates (P=0.004). There were significant differences between the non-return rates for different rams (P<0.0001) and farmers (P=0.0002) but the age of the ewe had no significant effect.     

Evaluation of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale breeds of sheep: I. Effects of ram breed on productivity of ewes of two crossbred populations

Effects of Dorset, Finnsheep, Romanov, Texel, and Montadale breeds for performance as sires were estimated in the initial phase of a comprehensive evaluation of these breeds as contributors to sheep crossbreeding systems. Objectives were to evaluate the effects of ram breed, ewe breed, season of mating, and two-way interactions. Rams from the five breeds were single-sire-mated with ewes from two breed types to produce lambs over a 3-yr period. Ewes were assigned to one of three distinct 35-d mating seasons initiated each year in August, October, and December. A different sample of six rams per breed was used each year across all three seasons, and each ram was penned with ewes of both breeds. Traits evaluated and number of ewe records were conception rate and litter weaning weight per ewe exposed (n = 3,261) and number born, litter birth weight, average birth weight, number weaned, and litter weaning weight per ewe lambing (n = 2,751). Ram breed and ewe breed interacted (P < .01) for conception rate and litter weaning weight per ewe exposed, implicating mating preferences, particularly of Romanov rams. In mixed groups of ewes exposed to Romanov rams, conception rate was 12.7% lower and litter weight weaned was 8.4 kg lower in the ewe breed presumably less preferred for mating by the rams. On a per ewe exposed basis, Romanov-sired litters produced either the largest or the smallest values for litter weaning weight, depending on the breed of ewe. Effects of ram breed on number born and litter birth weight interacted (P < .05) with season of mating. The largest litters within each ram breed were associated with the October mating season. Montadale and Romanov rams sired larger and heavier litters from August matings than from December matings, whereas the opposite was true for Dorset-sired litters. Texel- and Finnsheep-sired litters were similar in size and weight from August and December matings. Breed of ram differences affected per ewe lambing productivity measurements (P < .01). Differences between ram breeds for ewe productivity were noted, with increased number born and improved survival of crossbred progeny to weaning for Romanov-sired litters. These results may have implications for using these ram breeds as sires in different crossbreeding systems. Structured mating systems or the creation of new composite populations involving these breeds could be used to match the resources, environment, and market of specific production situations.     

Fertility of ewes inseminated intrauterinally with frozen semen using extender containing bovine serum albumin

The present study was conducted to examine the fertility of ewes inseminated intrauterinally with frozen semen using semen extender containing either egg yolk or bovine serum albumin (BSA). Sixty Suffolk and cross-bred ewes were treated with controlled internal drug release (CIDR) devices during the non-breeding season (July 2006). A CIDR was inserted into the vagina for 12 days and an intramuscular injection of 500 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin was administered one day before its removal. Ejaculates from a suffolk ram were diluted with a Tris-based extender containing either 15% (v/v) egg yolk or 10% (w/v) BSA, and the diluted semen was frozen in 0.25 ml straws. A fixed-time intrauterine artificial insemination (AI) was performed 43-47 h after CIDR removal, regardless of incidence of estrus. There was no significant difference in pregnancy rates at 60 days after AI between the extenders containing egg yolk (66.7%, 20/30 animals) or BSA (65.5%, 19/29 animals). Furthermore, there were no significant difference in the lambing rates (66.7% and 62.1%) and prolificacy (1.25 and 1.56) between the two semen extenders. The present study indicates that a semi-defined semen extender containing 10% BSA produces fertility after intrauterine AI that is similar to that achieved with semen extender containing egg yolk.     

Autologous Whole Ram Seminal Plasma and its Vesicle-free Fraction Improve Motility Characteristics and Membrane Status but not In Vivo Fertility of Frozen–Thawed Ram Spermatozoa

Motility characteristics (assessed subjectively and with computer-assisted semen analysis) and membrane status (after staining with chlortetracycline) of washed and non-washed frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa were evaluated after incubation in buffer and buffer containing autologous whole seminal plasma or one of its two fractions: the pellet of membrane vesicles obtained by ultracentrifugation (and used at three times normal protein concentration) or the vesicle-free supernatant fraction. Whole seminal plasma and supernatant, but not membrane vesicles, improved the motility characteristics of spermatozoa after 3 and 6 h of post-thaw incubation compared with the control buffer. Resuspension and incubation with whole seminal plasma, supernatant or membrane vesicles lowered the proportion of acrosome-reacted frozen-thawed spermatozoa compared with the control buffer. Unwashed frozen-thawed semen from three rams, incubated with autologous whole seminal plasma or its fractions and inseminated using cervical or intrauterine artificial insemination, had no effect on pregnancy rates of ewes in synchronized oestrus. However, fertility was higher after laparoscopic than cervical insemination (44.9 vs 12.3%, p < 0.001). In conclusion, resuspension and incubation of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa in autologous whole seminal plasma or its vesicle-free supernatant fraction improved their motility characteristics and, with membrane vesicles, membrane status, but these benefits were not reflected in improved fertility after cervical or intrauterine insemination.     

母牛同期发情试验及受胎产犊效果观察

[目的]为了解决牛群分散,交通不变问题.[方法]本文利用同期发情处理方法,并为了观察牛同期发情及受胎产犊效果.在红塔、新平和元江分三批对102头母牛进行同期发情处理(放置阴道栓+注射氯前列烯醇),撤栓后根据发情情况用冷冻精液对97头母牛进行人工授精,[结果]表明同期发情率95.1%.150～160 d后对输精母牛进行妊...     

Ram influence on ovarian and sexual activity in anestrous ewes: effects of isolation of ewes from rams before joining and date of ram introduction.

A 2-yr experiment was conducted to determine whether isolation of ewes from rams is necessary to achieve a high response to the ram effect and whether ewes respond as well in May as in June. The experiment was conducted at two locations, with the same four treatments at each location. The four treatments differed with respect to ewe proximity to rams before mating (isolated vs adjacent) and date of joining with novel breeding rams (May 15 vs June 15). The proximity treatment at one location was changed in the 2nd yr; teaser rams were joined with the ewes instead of being adjacent to them. Overall, 86% of the eligible ewes were judged to have responded to the ram effect. A period of isolation before mating did not increase response compared with ewes that remained adjacent to, or in contact with, rams (86 vs 85%). Response was greater (P less than .05) in June and in the 2nd yr (P = .05). A physiological response, different from that generally described, was identified. Ewes ovulated approximately 8 d (8.0 +/- .19 d) after joining with breeding rams. The subsequent ovulation, accompanied by estrus, occurred approximately 15 d later (15.3 +/- .29 d). Eighty-five percent (87/102) of the ewes sampled responded in this manner. However, 82% (31/38) of a sample of these ewes had at least one morphologically normal corpus luteum when examined by laparoscopy 4 d after joining. It seems that these corpora lutea were not completely functional with respect to progesterone production. The ram effect can be achieved without prior isolation of ewes from rams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

安全性种羊预混料对公羊精液品质及母羊妊娠、哺乳期生产性能的影响

以维生素和有机微量元素、活性酵母、植酸酶、缓冲剂等绿色饲料添加剂为主体开发生产安全性种羊预混料，具有增加种公羊射精量，改善其精液品质和提高母羊妊娠、哺乳期生产性能，增加羔羊断奶重等的显著效果，使用安全环保。与对照组相比，可提高无角陶赛特公羊一次射精量0．16ml（P〈0．05），精子密度1．70亿／ml（P〈0．01），精子活力0．07（P〉0．05），使小尾寒羊母羊头均产活仔数、羔羊初生重和羔羊断奶重分别提高0．3只、10g／只和0．72kg／只（P〉0．05）。     

羊同期发情腹腔镜输精最佳时间的研究

[目的]确定羊同期发情腹腔镜输精的最佳时间。[方法]选取繁殖机能正常、营养状况良好的适龄母羊,在试验母羊阴道内放置孕酮海绵栓10~14 d,撤栓时肌肉注射250~330 IU/只孕马血清促性腺激素（PMSG）。撤栓后12~24 h开始试情,早晚各1次。按撤栓后时间及发情时间不同分4组进行腹腔镜输精：1组为撤栓后46~50 h输精（n=138）,2组为撤栓后50~54 h输精（n=156）,3组为撤栓后54~58 h输精（n=275）,4组为羊发情后30~36 h输精（n=226）。输精后第40~45天进行B超检查,计算各组母羊受胎率。[结果]发情后30~36 h输精的母羊（4组）受胎率最高,为97.79%,其次为撤栓后50~54 h输精的母羊（2组）,受胎率为97.44%,撤栓后46~50 h输精的母羊（1组）受胎率为91.30%;撤栓后54~58 h输精的母羊（3组）受胎率最低,为89.82%。[结论]采用同期发情配合腹腔镜输精技术进行母羊人工授精,最佳输精时间为撤栓后50~54 h以及母羊发情后30~36 h。     

Statistical Methods to Produce "Good" Bovine Frozen Semen

A "good" bovine frozen semen must have: high fertility, low costs, good genetic values. The genetic value is associated to the sire and the Artificial Insemination (AI) centre can only optimize the management of the progeny test program. The high fertility and the low costs are strictly linked to the qualitative level of the technical management of the AI centre. The optimization of the management of an AI centre can be done by the choice of the best systems of semen handling and analysis, using the methods of the Statistical Quality Control (SQC). To support the production in an AI centre, it becomes important to set up some statistical instruments aiming to performing a Statistical Quality Control. These instruments (such as Control Charts) should allow the monitoring of the production because the various lots, produced by the same centre, should have a basically constant number of motile spermatozoa after thawing (the quality parameter with the better correlation with the fertility). Moreover, this number should range within the tolerance limits established by the centre. Only in this way the production activity of an AI centre may become of industrial type. The system that aims to maximize the production level, in an AI centre, as a function of the number of motile spermatozoa after thawing, consists of predicting forward motility and concentration, after thawing, of a batch of semen and using these values to compute the correct number of straws to produce for the batch (for each bull). The ARIMA models can be used to forecast the percentage of motile sperms after thawing for bulls with continue production, while to forecast the concentration it is necessary to verify the loss of spermatozoa during the semen handling.