Artificial insemination with two different vaginoscopes of Churra Galega Bragançana ewes Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Projecto POCTEP 2014-2020 (0687_OVISPID_2_E)
  • The main goal of this paper was to compare the efficiency of two speculums in the AI of Portuguese Churra Galega Bragançana (CGB) ewes. This study was performed at Braganza (latitude 41° 48’ 33’’N, longitude 6° 44’ 3’’W, and Altitude 670 meters) between April 1st and June 5th. Forty-nine CGB ewes aged between 2 to 8 years were used. Body condition was scored according to the Australian classification table. On April 12th ewes estrous was synchronized by long-term FGA (20 mg) or CIDR (0.35 g) treatments and the injection of 500 UI of eCG at vaginal devices withdrawal. Ovarian responses to treatments were assayed by progesterone plasmatic levels. Blood samples were collected for 5 days post-eCG administration. Ewes were artificially inseminated 53 + 1 hours after eCG injection with chilled semen using an IMV speculum (n = 23) or a new speculum developed by Ovígén (n = 26). Ejaculates were collected by artificial vaginas. Semen analysis was performed using a computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) system. Selected ejaculates presented a volume ≥ 2.0 ml, a sperm concentration ≥ 3.0 x 109 cells/ml, motility ≥ 75%, and a percentage of normal sperm cells ≥ 75%. Insemination doses contained at least 200 x 106 sperm cells. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasonography 41 days after AI. All ewes presented progesterone plasmatic levels higher than 0.5 ng/ml for the first five days post-eCG injection. About 81.6% of all ewes were pregnant 41 days after AI. Neither age nor body score condition affected significantly the fertility rate (P>0.05). The synchronization protocol had no statistically significant on the fertility rate (FGA + eCG: 84.6% vs. CIDR+ eCG: 78.3%; c2=1.6; P>0.05). The type of speculum had also not statistically significant on fertility rate (IMV: 87.0%vs. Ovígén: 76.9%; c2=3.4; P>0.05). both speculums result in high fertility rates. However, the Ovígén speculum is easier to use since it allows to pin the vaginal opening of the cervix.

publication date

  • January 1, 2021