Artificial Vagina method of semen collection in cattle


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Artificial vagina method - One method of semen collection.

It has been proved to be the best method and is now most commonly used. There are different kinds of artificial vagina for different classes of animals. The one for cattle and buffaloes consists of (i) an outer heavy rubber cylinder, (ii) inner sleeves of rubber, (ii) the semen receiving cone, (iii) semen collecting vial made of glass or plastic which may be graduated.

Prior to collection all these parts are cleaned, sterilized and assembled into artificial vagina. The inner sleeve is put into the outer cylinder and both the ends of inner sleeves are reflected over the cylinder forming a watertight space between them and water at 40 –50oC is filled in there. The cone along with the attached vial is then slipped over one of the ends of this water jacketed barrel then tightly secured with the help of rubber bands.

The vial and cone are then invaginated into the artificial vagina and 3" to 4" at the open and are lubricated with sterilized jelly. The temperature of the water to be taken depends upon the liking of the bull, and season of the year.

The modem artificial vagina types are also provided with an air screw along with the water screw which can be used for blowing the air between the two layers to create the desired pressure. The temperature of the artificial vagina is more important and should always be checked before making the collection.

Too high a temperature may cause injury to the penis and the bull may refuse to serve in future. On the other hand at lower temperature, there may not be complete ejaculation and the whole ejaculate may be contaminated with urine. Prior to collection, bulls are usually allowed to become excited by bringing the bull to cows or other dummy when it will smell and also will make attempts to ride. During collection, the aritifical vagina thus assembled, is held at an angle of 55 degree with the horizontal plane of the cow or dummy. It is so because the penis of the bull enters the vagina of the cow at that angle.

When the bull mounts, the penis is quickly guided into the artificial vagina with the operator's hand. Care is taken not to touch the exposed part of the penis, as this stimulates the bull to ejaculate. After the bull dismounts, the aritificial vagina is taken off the penis and kept in an upright condition after releasing the pressure by draining water and air out of it. This allows the ejaculate to flow from the cone of the vial which is then detached from the cone and taken to the laboratory for examination.

The size of the artificial vagina to be used depends upon the development of the penis. The artificial vagina should be long enough for the ejaculate to be deposited near the mouth of the collection tube in order to reduce sperm cell losses from cells remaining on the collection funnel and to prevent injury to the penis by entry into the collection tube. Generally mature bulls require an outer rubber casing 40 cm in length and 6.4 cm in diameter. while yearling bulls require a casing 30 -35 cm in length and 5.1 -5.7 cm in diameter. In case of goat and sheep the outer tube should be about 20 cm long and 5 cm in diameter.

Advantages of Artificial Semen Collection through artificial vagina method

The artificial vagina method of semen collection has following advantages.