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Artificial Insemination 1061

Artificial Insemination
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• For optimal results, two inseminations should
Difficulty level: ♦
be planned 24-72 hours apart in this window the non-pipette hand to palpate the abdomen
and locate the cervix.
Overview and Goal of time. • The pipette continues to be advanced until
To effectively deliver fresh, chilled, or frozen- • Methods for estrus detection and estimation its tip is felt with the fingertips, transab-
thawed semen into the cranial vagina of anticipated time of ovulation require dominally to be immediately caudal to the
hormonal assays, vaginoscopy (p. 1184), cervix.
Indications vaginal cytologic examinations (p. 1183), • At this time, the bitch’s hindquarters are
Convenience (geographic separation of dam or a combination thereof. elevated at a 30- to 45-degree angle; the
and sire), maximizing use of valuable semen, • Semen that has been properly handled and inseminator then delivers the semen by
ineffective natural mating (e.g., inexperienced/ is of good quality must be available. depressing the plunger on the syringe con-
uncooperative male) • The help of one or two assistants for basic nected to the pipette. Procedures and Techniques
restraint and handling of the bitch.
Contraindications Postprocedure
Poor timing/incorrect detection of estrus, Possible Complications and • With insemination into the cranial vagina,
systemic illness or other medical disorder Common Errors to Avoid maintain the bitch’s hindquarters elevated for
likely to compromise successful fertilization, • Urethral catheterization with the pipette: 1-10 minutes to improve delivery of semen
poor technique and/or materials and equip- avoided by advancing the pipette along the to the uterus. In the dog, sperm first reach
ment, and semen quality that is not optimal lateral (left or right) aspect of the vagina, the uterus 30-120 seconds after insemination
and inadequate total number of viable sperm not the ventral aspect into the cranial vagina when the bitch is
(arbitrarily, < 50 million motile sperm for • Vaginal injury or perforation: avoided by positioned with elevated hindquarters, but
small or toy breeds or < 100 million motile concurrent gentle palpation of the vagina this process is hindered when the bitch is
sperm for medium, large breeds) are relative and cervix abdominally and avoidance of left in a horizontal (normal) posture after
contraindications, but acceptable results may be pressure if resistance is met while advancing vaginal artificial insemination.
obtained, especially if switching to transcervical the pipette • Some practitioners advocate feathering of
insemination (p. 1168) or surgical intrauterine • The semen should be deposited specifically the vulva and perineum to induce uterine
insemination. in the cranial-most part of the vagina as contractions and further favor movement
close to the cervix as possible to increase of sperm into the uterus. However, this
Equipment, Anesthesia the likelihood of success. procedure is not scientifically justified or
The procedure is generally performed awake. needed.
Required materials and equipment include Procedure
• Latex, nitrile or vinyl examination gloves • The bitch is placed standing in a location that Alternatives and Their
• Sterile, water-soluble, nonspermicidal is comfortable for the inseminator, typically Relative Merits
lubricant an examination table for small dogs and the Fertile dogs experience normal pregnancy rates
• Semen in sterile plastic pipette or tomcat ground for medium- to large-breed dogs. and litter sizes after intravaginal inseminations;
catheter (toy breeds) • An assistant restrains the bitch and draws however, intracervical or surgical uterine
• Rubber-free (Air-Tite) sterile syringe for her tail to one side (or this can be done by inseminations may be advised for frozen-thawed
expelling the semen in the pipette a second assistant). semen or low-sperm doses. Surgical artificial
• The inseminator dons gloves and holds the insemination with fresh semen is relatively
Anticipated Time semen-filled pipette in the right hand if the common in North America, but its ethical
10 minutes inseminator is right-handed. validity remains controversial.
• The inseminator parts the labia and elevates
Preparation: Important the vulva dorsally using the hand not SUGGESTED READING
Checkpoints holding the pipette. Eilts BE, et al: Artificial insemination in the dog. In
• Above all, the insemination process should be • The pipette tip is placed in the vestibule and Root-Kustritz MV, editor: Small animal theriogenol-
timed optimally, based on serial determina- elevated dorsal to the brim of the pelvis and ogy, St. Louis, 2003, Butterworth/Heinemann, pp
tions of concentrations of blood progesterone. lateral (left or right) to avoid the urethral 61-95.
Luteinizing hormone assays can corroborate papilla. AUTHOR: Carlos R. F. Pinto, MedVet, PhD, DACT
findings of blood progesterone levels. This • The pipette is gently advanced dorsocranially. EDITORS: Leah A. Cohn, DVM, PhD, DACVIM;
means inseminating 1-4 days after ovulation. The inseminator releases the labia and uses Mark S. Thompson, DVM, DABVP

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