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Whitetail Heartbeat of America
Introduction to Artificial Inseminating
The information on this web page is extracted from various
sources with minor editing. Some questions were asked on deerfarmer forums that
I answered and then re edited this page, and will continue to as long as I
receive more info.
Based on Four years of artificial insemination (since fall 1998) with a 65%
success ratio, the information collected is consistent with our practices. I do
not conclude any information here to be fact. (just that it worked for us)
Thank You; Wayne Pederson
( Note AI equipment used for Goats works for Whitetail Deer )
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO INSEMINATE DOES WITH FROZEN SEMEN
1. Liquid nitrogen tank
2. Speculum (25 x 175 mm for yearlings or 25 x 200 mm for Doe's)
3. A.I. light
4. Straw tweezers
5. Sterile lubricant (non-spermicidal)
6. Insemination gun (for straws)
7. Tranquilizing equipment or chute facilities to restrain the doe
8. Thaw box
9. Paper towels
10. Straw cutter
11. Thermometer
12. CIDR applicator to be ordered with the CIDR's
These supplies can be obtained from several livestock supply companies. listed
on our suppliers pages.
The liquid nitrogen tank will be the largest single expense, and will cost
approximately $600.
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ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION
Gives you access to superior genetics and is the fastest way to
improve your herd genetics. With improved technologies and knowledge we now have
individuals and companies that are experienced in both extracting semen and
doing artificial insemination. Processing and storage technologies and
facilities have improved and are accessible to most deer farmers. Workshops are
being offered by experts so that you can learn how to do the insemination
yourself.
Stress affects conception rate; Doe's under stress can lower conception rate to
as low as 20%. Tranquilized does have better conception rates - up to 65%.
Bottle-fed doe's also suffer less stress from handling.
According to Dr. James Kroll, the conception rate for AI is in the range of 38%
to 68%.
The does are inseminated using the semen during the breeding season. The prime
time is November 5 to December 10. The does can either be held in a chute, or
tranquilized. The doe must be in heat. Estrous can either be chemically
induced,( with CIDR's ) or the doe is watched until she comes into heat
naturally. Usually by putting in a buck that has had a vasectomy. One straw of
semen is usually sufficient.
We found the conception rate was 50% higher for Doe's that already had their
first set of fawns versus first time yearlings. Due to the fact that most older
Doe's will have twins after they have had their first set of fawns, you get a
higher return for your investment. With these factors it would be best to only
artificial inseminate older Doe's.
Many farmers use squeeze or drop chutes and have deer that are very tame and
accustomed to passing through the working facilities. These animals do not
require sedation and will stand quietly for the most part once caught in the
chute.
The Particulars
CIDR's (CIDR™ Cervical Implant Drug Release) are sponge like
device that is shaped like a butterfly and is inserted into the Doe's vagina
approximately 4 inches with a special applicator. It has a chemical
((Progesterone)) that stops the estrous cycle of the Doe as it seeps out of its
sponge like pours over time from the body heat of the doe. It has a string
attached to remove it with. When removed, the Doe will restart her cycle within
hours. It isn't that hard to learn how to insert cidrs yourself and you
certainly can pull them yourself. The CIDR can be removed without tranquilizing
in a chute. The CIDR is like a tampon. It has a string attached that you need to
pull it out with.
How the CIDR™ Insert Works
The CIDR Insert is administered intravaginally and delivers
progesterone at a controlled rate into the vagina and then into the bloodstream
of the treated animal. When delivered by this method, progesterone exerts a
negative feedback effect on the hypothalamus, suppressing the release of LHRH
and FSHRH (gonadotrophin) luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating
hormone (FSH), thus preventing estrus and ovulation.
Administration
Insertion and removal of the CIDR Insert can quickly become a standard part of
any breeding routine. For best results, follow these simple steps:
Wear protective gloves whenever handling the CIDR Insert.
Prepare a container of clean water with disinfectant solution to wash the
applicator between uses.
Fit the body of the insert into the applicator with the tail along the slot. The
two wings will be pushed together, protruding about one inch above the top of
the applicator.
Apply a generous amount of lubricant to the tip of the insert.
Clean the vulva area.
Make sure the tail of the CIDR Insert is on the underside of the applicator,
curling down, to ensure that the tail will be hidden from curious penmates.
Slip the applicator through the lips of the vulva and insert at a slight upward
angle, moving forward over the pelvic bone until it meets resistance.
Dispense the insert from the applicator by depressing the plunger, then slowly
withdrawing the applicator body.
Clip the string tail of the CIDR Insert so that 6 centimeters (2.5 inches)
protrude from the vulva. This will prevent accidental removal by curious
animals.
To withdraw the insert, simply give the tail a gentle but firm pull to release
the insert.
We put the CIDRs in October 25. Pull them on November 7th and doing AI on the
10th. We are trying to match the natural rut in the wild deer here in the north.
The rut runs anywhere from Nov. 5 to Nov. 15 in this area.
The time frame for the CIDR to be in is 14 days.
PMSG
We also give a 1 1/2 cc shot of PMSG (Pregnant mare serum
gonadotropin) at removal time.
Pregnant mare serum gonadotropin is normally available form you local Vet.
Once the CIDR is removed, the progesterone level drops off and follicles
develop. At the time of CIDR removal, PMSG is given to tighten up the degree of
synchronization. If insemination is to take place at the peak of the natural
breeding season and the Doe's are in excellent condition the level of PMSG may
be as low as 1 cc. If too much PMSG is administered, the ovulation rate will be
too high resulting in an excessive number of multiple births. Some Inseminators
do not use PMSG for Whitetail deer, due to the fact that most already have
multiple births.
PMSG must be kept refrigerated from the time of purchase. Once reconstituted, it
is to be used immediately. Unused portions can be frozen but must be used within
a few months and must not be refrozen. PMSG is to be injected in muscle.
Insemination should take place 55 - 60 hours after removing the
CIDR and injecting 1 1/2 cc of PMSG.
To do the actual AI, take a class for the first time or have
someone come and do it for you and show you how to do it.
SEMEN THAWING AND INSEMINATION PROCEDURES
The first step is to restrain the doe to be inseminated. This can
be done by tranquilizing or in a drop or squeeze chute. After the doe is
restrained, the semen is thawed and the insemination gun is prepared. (it needs
to be warmed to body temp.)
Remove the frozen straw from the liquid nitrogen tank with a straw tweezers, and
place it in a hot water bottle thermos filled with warm water (95 to 98 deg F)
for 30 seconds. After thawing, dry the straw thoroughly with a paper towel.
Semen must be kept warm and must not be exposed to sunlight or water during the
thawing and inseminating process to prevent damaging or killing sperm cells.
Pull the plunger back 4 to 6 inches on the insemination gun and place the straw
into the gun with the cotton plug toward the plunger. After the straw has been
secured in the gun, the sealed end of the straw must be cut off with the straw
cutter. The cover sheath should now be placed over the insemination gun and
secured with a 0 ring.
The next step is the actual insemination process. It may be necessary to lift
the doe's hindquarters if she will not stand. If working alone, hold the
insemination gun in your mouth, or have an assistant hand the insemination gun
to you at the appropriate time. Turn your headlight on.
(( VIEW PICTURE BELOW ))
Lubricate the speculum with a non-spermicidal lubricant. Clean the doe's vulva
with a dry paper towel and insert the lubricated speculum slowly into the vulva.
Insert the speculum at an upward angle to prevent vaginal irritation. Using
slight forward pressure and gentle turning side to side, advance the speculum
until it reaches the cervical os. The os itself should be centered by sighting
through the bore of the speculum
Once the speculum has been inserted, visually locate the cervix. The cervix
should have a red-purple color and white mucus will be present if the doe is in
heat.
Center the speculum over the opening of the cervix.
Gently insert the insemination gun into the speculum and thread it into the
opening of the cervix by sight. The interior portion of the vagina, termed the
fornix vagina, tends to stretch somewhat when the speculum or gun is pushed
forward.
This may give the false impression that the rod is advancing into the cervix,
when it is actually above, below, or to either side of the os. Use a circular
motion or a gentle side-to-side manipulation and slight forward pressure, the
inseminator should generally be able to feel the rod pass through three cervical
folds.
Do not penetrate the cervix more than 1.5 inches. It is a good idea to draw a
red ring around the cover sheath of the insemination gun 1 1/2 inches from the
tip. ( The uterine body in most cervids is less than one inch in length. )
This mark lets you to know how far you have penetrated the cervix. The target
for semen deposition, in the uterine body, is the area between the internal
cervical os and the internal uterine bifurcation, where the uterine horns begin
to separate inside the reproductive tract.
Accurate gun tip placement is probably the most difficult and important skill
involved in transcervical AI.
When the gun tip emerges from the internal os, the inseminator may be able to
feel the entire rod slide somewhat freely back and forth within the reproductive
tract.
( Depositing the semen in the cervix or randomly in the uterine horns will
likely result in lower pregnancy rates. )
While holding the insemination gun in place slowly pull back the speculum about
1 1/2 inch ( this will help alleviate some of the back wash effect of the semen
)
Deposit the semen slowly by pushing the plunger forward. Be careful not to pull
the insemination rod back through the cervix while the semen is being expelled.
Slow delivery maximizes the amount of semen expelled from the straw.
If the Doe has moved during semen deposition or the gun has moved, stop the
semen deposition and correctly reposition it before continuing semen deposition.
Remove the insemination gun slowly and remove the speculum.
It is best to not to put the Doe back in with a Buck until 14 days after
insemination.
Artificial insemination is a powerful tool that can allow breeders the
flexibility to increase the rate of genetic improvement in their herds. Although
A.I. is a powerful tool, it requires proper technique and attention to detail
for a high level of success. With good semen handling techniques, individuals
can become successful A.I. technicians.
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