Pros and cons of artificial insemination of goats, timing and rules

In artificial insemination, male sperm is injected vaginally with the use of special instruments. This method of fertilization of female ungulates in agriculture is considered more convenient and productive, it allows you to control the breeding composition, select the best individuals, and prevent diseases. But the main goal of artificial reproduction is to obtain numerous offspring from a producer with the necessary characteristics.

Advantages and disadvantages

Artificial insemination is beneficial for a farm of any size and orientation, it has many advantages:

• sperm can be obtained from any male, even located on the other side of the planet, since the freezing method is used for transportation;
• fertilization of several goats is possible, for which the seed is divided into the required number of portions;
• sexually mature goats are not required;
• the health of the livestock is maintained, since the transmission of infection is excluded;
• livestock productivity increases as the healthiest males donate sperm.

The artificial insemination method for goats also has disadvantages:

• sometimes you have to wait a long time for seed from distant regions;
• the owner must purchase equipment and equip a room where goats will be inseminated;
• the owner of goats can only inseminate with the help of a veterinarian or after completing training sessions;
• the cost of the procedure is considerable, which is unprofitable for small farms.

Optimal timing

Artificial insemination is started when the goat is in heat. This condition is determined by several criteria:

• the vulva swells, a mucous mass is released from it;
• the pet is restless, refuses food;
• seeks to get closer to the goat, if he sees him nearby, he becomes in a pose ready for cage.

The above signs are not always observed in goats. In this case, to check for the presence of estrus, probe goats are used - individuals not suitable for producing offspring. If the goat is in a state of sexual heat, then it will allow the goat to cage. If the female resists, then she is not in heat. To prevent fertilization from happening, a blocking apron is tied to the male probe on the genital area. There is a practice of introducing a goat into a state of sexual heat. She is injected intramuscularly with the hormones progesterone and ovariotropin. The course of injections is as follows: 120 mg of progesterone - 4 times 30 mg for 2 days, followed by ovariotropin.2 days after the hormonal injections, the goat begins to estrus.

Artificial insemination rules

Artificial insemination includes several stages. First, a healthy goat-producer is selected, the seed material is taken from him, which is transported to the place of the procedure. Then insemination is carried out.

Sperm collection

Up to 2 ml of semen can be taken from one goat at a time. The most common urethral method of obtaining seed material, in which an artificial analogue of the goat's vagina is used, which has an irritating and thermal effect on the male reproductive organ. The device looks like a hollow cylindrical tube, which can be ebony or aluminum. An elastic rubber bag is placed inside, tucked at the ends on the casing.

On the side of the cylindrical structure there is an opening for water and air supply, thanks to which the temperature and pressure are created in the rubber bag, which are optimal for maintaining the arousal of the penis. The inner end of the bag is equipped with a semen receiver.

The procedure for obtaining sperm is as follows:

• the goat is excited by bringing it closer to the females;
• the worker stands to the right of the animal;
• with the left hand removes the preputial sac;
• with the right hand on the excited organ pulls the artificial vagina at an angle of about 30 ° to the horizontal plane;
• after ejaculation turns the device vertically, opens the air outlet so that the semen glass into the receiver.

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There are also vaginal sperm collection and electro-ejaculation. But these two methods have not become widespread, as they worsen the quality of the sperm.

In the first case, the seed is taken from the goat's vagina with a sterile sponge after natural setting. In the second case, one electrode is inserted into the male rectum, and the second is attached to the scrotum. The device generates impulses with a voltage of up to 30 V, which have an irritating effect, forcing the release of semen.

Insemination with a syringe catheter

For the procedure, take:

• insemination syringe;
• plastic catheter 22 cm long;
• vaginal speculum for livestock;
• 70% alcohol solution;
• 1% saline solution.

The goat is tied to the machine. The mirror is disinfected with warm saline solution and immersed in the folded state of the vagina. Open the tool carefully. A catheter is attached, 1 ml of diluted semen is collected in a syringe disinfected with alcohol. The catheter is inserted 2-3 cm deep, sperm is injected. Take out the catheter, close the mirror rods, take out the instrument.

Using the Insemination Capsule Machine

They take a plastic perforated tube 20 cm long and a metal capsule driver heated in water to a comfortable temperature of 38-40 ° C. The goat is tied to the machine. The capsule is immersed in the tube into the socket, carefully moved with the rod to the end. A speculum is not required: the vaginal opening is expanded with the fingers of the left hand, and the instrument is moved into the vagina with the right hand, scrolling around the axis. When the tube moves, the front end is lifted up slightly so as not to touch the ureter. It is deepened until the device buries itself in the vaginal fornix, then it is returned about 1.5 cm, and the semen is released.

Preventive measures to spread disease

To prevent the goat from contracting an infectious disease, the following manipulations are performed before artificial insemination:

• tools and materials stored in sealed containers are carefully treated with an antiseptic solution;
• the employee is given a clean medical gown, a cap under which you need to hide your hair, and sterile rubber gloves for single use;
• the vaginal area of ​​the goat is washed with a 0.02% solution of the drug "Furacilin";
• the external genitals of the animal are thoroughly wiped with a clean cotton towel.

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After successful insemination, the goats are transferred to the prepared barn section, where they will live until birth. You can't shout or make noise in the barn. Pregnant goats become more restless and sensitive, any stress factor has a negative effect on their body.

Pregnant goats are provided with a quality, balanced diet that includes:

• forage with a predominance of legumes;
• fresh grass;
• meadow hay.

The goats are fed 4 times a day. The drinker must always have clean water. Throughout pregnancy, goats are regularly examined by a veterinarian, monitors the physical condition of the body, the rate of weight gain and an increase in the abdomen.