Cattle Artificial Insemination Methods

Artificial insemination is the breeding method of choice for cattle. There is one method with several specific steps. This technique requires skill, patience and attention to detail. Semen must be deposited in the uterine body just past the cervical os and below both uterine horns, a target you cannot see that is approximately five-eighths of an inch long. The technique is considered successful when it results in a minimum 60 percent conception rate upon first service.

  1. Recto-Vaginal Palpation

    • Cattle are inseminated with recto-vaginal palpation.

      The method for artificially inseminating cattle is called recto-vaginal palpation. Both arms are required, and gloves that cover the entire arms to the armpit are necessary to protect both the inseminator and the cattle.

    Insertion

    • To begin insemination, the gloved left hand is inserted to the wrist in the rectum. The gloved right hand holds the insemination rod. The vulva must be wiped clean with a paper towel. The inserted left hand presses down to open the vulva. To prevent contamination, a second, folded paper towel is placed inside the base of the vulva so the insemination rod does not touch the skin as it enters the cow's body. When inseminating more than one cow, the rod and sheath mechanism should be placed inside a disposable protective sheath to prevent disease transmission. The rod should be angled 30 degrees toward the rectum.

    Palpation

    • The left hand and arm guide the insemination rod through the vagina by pushing down through the floor of the rectum. Use the left hand to massage through constriction rings in the rectum and both hands to gently manipulate the rod through folds in the vagina. When the rod reaches the cervix, the left hand grasps the cervix with the thumb toward the rectum and fingers toward the underside of the cow.

    Placement

    • The cervix is passed over the rod, not the other way around.

      The cervix is placed over the tip of the insemination rod with the left hand. The tip of the rod must pass through all cervical rings into the uterine body. Do not push on the rod---pull the cervix over it gently.

    Delivery

    • Semen is delivered when the tip of the rod has barely passed the cervical os, the ring of the cervix that opens into the uterine body. Delivery should take at least five seconds, with slow and steady pressure on the plunger. Slow delivery allows semen to disperse evenly through both uterine horns.

    Warnings

    • Restrain your cow in a comfortable, protected area before thawing the semen. This gives her a chance to settle, providing for less stress and movement during insemination. If a cow moves during delivery, release the plunger and reinsert the tip of the rod into the uterine body. Always insert the rod angled 30 degrees toward the rectum to prevent penetration and damage to the urethra and bladder. The rate of successful artificial insemination conception is only about 40 percent per round of service. To increase your success, retrain regularly through a university extension program. Carefully review your estrus assessment techniques. Between 7 percent and 20 percent of artificially inseminated cattle are not in estrus, a mistake that is wasteful and costly.