Artificial
Insemination
Step-by-Step
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Before the
first doe can be inseminated, you must have a plan.
We plan our breeding program up to a year in advance
– determining when we want our percentage does
to kid to best meet our best market and when we want
our full bloods to kid to best meet the show schedule.
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Our plan includes the name of each doe, date of birth,
last kidding date, who we plan to breed her to, how
we plan to breed her (AI or natural), the date to
insert a CIDR, the date to remove the CIDR, the date
she should be in estrus and ready to breed, and her
projected kidding date.
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Our breeding
plan is a work in progress subject to changes/refinements.
(For example, a doe may have been pulled down too
much by her last kids and needs more time to recover.
Or semen may become available to us we were not expecting.)
Part of our planning also includes identifying does
to be used in our embryo transfer program and identifying
recipient does. |
Two events
determine the date to insert the CIDR: optimum kidding
date and last kidding date plus a minimum of 3 months.
One method to determine CIDR insertion date is take
the optimum kidding date, subtract 150 days, then
subtract an additional 16 days. (A Julian calendar
is helpful for this, or, as we do, put the dates into
a spreadsheet and use formulas.) NOTE: It is not necessary
to use CIDRs when doing AI. The use of CIDRs is a
convenience to facilitate identifying the end of an
estrus cycle in the does. |
DISCLAIMER: Before you attempt AI, we strongly
recommend you attend an AI class (or two or three
or four). Our only purpose is to provide the steps
as a reference.
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The following chart shows events leading up to the AI: |
D Day: Insert CIDR.
D+7: Walk rutting buck (or vascectomized buck) through
doe pen.
D+12: Give 1cc PG600 or PMSG, 2cc BoSe, and 2cc
Vitamin A,D,E. at 1400 (2 p.m.)
D+14: Remove CIDR at 1400.
D+15: Detect (using vascectomized buck) heat (around
1800).
D+16: AI at 0900 goat identified by buck as in heat.
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The
following "equipment" should be assembled: |
Semen tank.
List of does along with name
and location of semen to be used.
Thaw jar
Dial Thermometer
Tweezers.
Antiseptic
wash
Lubricant
(non-spermicidal jelly)
Speculum
Straw Cutter
Artificial
Insemination Light (with extra bulb and tested battery)
Needle Sheaths
Insemination
Gun (1/2cc straw types with French needle point)
Kitchen timer
or clock with second hand.
Paper towels. |
Put doe on the stand.
Clean the Vulva and tail
with Antiseptic wash and dry.
Apply non-spermicidal jelly
to the speculum and the Vulva. NOTE: inserting the
speculum at an upward angle prevents irritation. |
Insert the speculum in the vagina to the end of the
vagina
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Attach the light to the speculum to assist visual
inspection.
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Pull the speculum back and rotate it. The cervix is on the floor
of the vagina and protrudes slightly. When the does is in heat,
a dark red spot or hole will be visible. It looks similar to a
rose bud.
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If the cervix appears open, try passing an empty sheath
through to test for penetration of the cervix. If
it is close or dry, the doe is not in heat. If the
mucus is thick and cloudy the doe is in heat. If the
mucus is clear and watery, the doe is early in estrus
and the procedure should be delayed.
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Prepare the thaw jar by putting warm water in the
thaw jar. When the water in the thaw jar is at between
92°F and 97°F, you are ready.
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Open the Semen tank; select the canister which contains
the semen straw to be used; raise the canister only
enough to see the goblet and cane which contains the
straws. Double check the number/name on the goblet.
With tweezers, remove the semen straw from the tank.
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Quickly verify the data on the straw is of the buck
you plan to use.
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Carefully put
the straw into the thaw jar.
Set timer for 30 seconds.
While semen is thawing, put
non-spermicidal jelly on the speculum; clean the doe's
vulva with a dry paper towel.
Since water is a spermicidal,
carefully dry the straw thoroughly with a paper towel.
Load the insemination gun
by pulling the plunger back 4 to 6 inches then place
the straw into the gun with the cotton plug toward
the plunger.
When timer rings, remove
straw from thaw jar and dry with a paper towel. DO
NOT ALLOW EXPOSURE TO SUNLIGHT
Once the straw is in the
gun, use the straw cutter to snip the sealed end of
the straw. |
Put the cover sheath over the insemination gun; lock
the French needle into place by twisting the sheath
onto the insemination gun. Verify the needle is secure.
Note: Never handle anything with your hand that enters
the doe. Use paper towels or disposable gloves.
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Carefully insert the lubricated speculum into doe
and reattach the light to the speculum.
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Visually locate the cervix. (The cervix should have
a purple-red color as well as white mucus.) Center
the speculum over the opening of the cervix.
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Insert the insemination gun into the speculum to the
opening of the cervix.
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Use circular motion and slight pressure to work the
insemination gun past the rings of the cervix. In
goats, the cervix is usually one and a half inches
long. When the gun does not pass easily, the gun tip
must be carefully manipulated into the cervical rings
with firm pressure and a twisting motion.
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DO NOT PENETRATE THE CERVIX MORE THAN 1 1/2 INCHES.
Slowly, over a period of
4 to 6 seconds, push the plunger forward to deposit
the semen.
Slowly remove the insemination
gun.
Remove the speculum.
Clean the equipment. |
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Even if you
are not interested at this time in learning how to
do AI but you have a quality buck, you should buy
some insurance for him ... collect
him. If you don't have a quality buck and want to
do AI to increase the quality of your herd, there
are several locations where quality semen can be obtained.
We had our Hercules
and Enhancer II
collected, and some semen
is available for sale.
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