Novelties in ovine assisted reproductive technologies – a review

Artificial insemination (AI) as a part of assisted reproductive technologies represents the oldest and most widespread method used to accelerate genetic progress in all domestic animals. After its first implementation in ovine reproduction and almost 80 years afterward, AI is continuously used for i...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Toni Dovenski, Plamen Trojacanec, Branko Atanasov, Martin Nikolovski, Vladimir Petkov, Florina Popovska-Percinic, Monika Dovenska, Juraj Grizelj, Silvijo Vince
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ss.Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje 2022-10-01
Series:Macedonian Veterinary Review
Subjects:
Online Access:https://macvetrev.mk/LoadArticleContent?DOI=10.2478_macvetrev_2022_0018
Description
Summary:Artificial insemination (AI) as a part of assisted reproductive technologies represents the oldest and most widespread method used to accelerate genetic progress in all domestic animals. After its first implementation in ovine reproduction and almost 80 years afterward, AI is continuously used for improving the genetic merit, utilizing either fresh or shorttime chilled semen. Nevertheless, regardless of the semen used for insemination, the conception rate (CR) is still lower in comparison to natural service. At least two factors are commonly thought to limit the success of the AI and reduce the CR: (1) failure of placing the semen directly into the uterus due to the specific anatomic structure of the ewe’s cervix; (2) lower viability of ram spermatozoa during cryopreservation (<30% progressively motile spermatozoa after thawing). This review elaborates on recent studies that aimed to achieve acceptable CR through the implementation of cervical or intrauterine insemination: deep intracervical, intrauterine trans-cervical, and intracornual. Several hormonal treatments (oxytocin, estrogen, or prostaglandin) were evaluated on inducing cervical dilation that facilitates insemination. A comprehensive analysis was given to the effects of several antioxidants (GSSG, GSH, and cysteine) supplemented in ram semen-freezing media. Sex-sorted ram semen fertility rate results were presented from our studies.
ISSN:1409-7621
1857-7415