Benefits of artificial insemination in livestock

Kangabam Susan & Lairenlakpam Pinky Chanu *

Artificial Insemination (A.I.) is the process of collecting sperm cells from a male and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female.

A.I. is commonly used instead of natural mating in many species of animals because of the benefits it can reap.

These benefits include increased safety of the animals and producer, increased production efficiency and better genetics.

A.I. can reduce many of the risks involved with normal breeding. The incidence of spread of genital diseases among female livestock through copulation can be reduced by A.I.

In cases where a male is sometime unable to mate normally or tire quickly, A.I. serves as an effective means for continuing the period of his service.

Seasonal reproduction can be controlled better by A.I. It removed all risk and expenditure involved in keeping a male in the premise.

The entire A.I procedure is much more hygienic than normal mating. It is helpful to inseminate the animals that are refused to stand or accept the male at the time of oestrum.

It helps in maintaining the accurate breeding and cawing records. It increases the rate of conception. It helps in better record keeping. Old, heavy and injured sires can be used.

A.I. also increased efficiency. For some species, semen are diluted and are packed into “straws” and are typically stored in liquid nitrogen (-196!) and they will last for years and can be used as needed.

The semen of a desired size can be used even after the death of that particular size. The semen collected can be taken to the urban areas or rural areas for insemination.

By regular examination of semen after collection and frequent checking on fertility make early detection of inferior males and better breeding efficiency is ensured.

A.I. makes possible the mating of animals with great differences in size without injury to either of the animal.

Lastly, A.I. can drastically improve the genetics of herd and make it possible for the development of large families of superior animals within a particular area.

With A.I. becoming increasingly popular, many produces collect semen from their herd sires and make it available to other producers for purchase.

This gives producers the opportunity to select what they want to breed their animals to.

Overall, it leads to the improvement of both livestock and its product which in turn also helps the economy of one’s country.