Sheep and Artificial Insemination

[minnikin1]

OK, does this really have to be done surgically?
Anyone had success with the old turkey baster method?

[perridox]

Icelandic sheep breeders often use VAI (Artificial insemination) to transfer some of the best rams' genes from Iceland. I don't know the details of the procedure, but it involves a special container to transport frozen semen (and no turkey baster as far as I can tell). The Icelandic Sheep Breeders Organization (ISBONA) is hosting a VAI seminar this fall. I believe the price depends on the number of participants. Here are some details:

"The seminar is not an ISBONA event and is open to anyone interested in learning the VAI technique, with the understanding that it may be of less value or
applicability to non-Icelandic breeders because it has not been attempted with those breeds and because those breeders are not likely to have access to VAI semen.
The seminar will be filled on a "first come, first served basis."

...the VAI workshop will be held Sept. 15-16, 2007. Sign up folks, another VAI
workshop is not likely to be held in the States for some time into the future."


You can look up further details on the ISBONA website or PM me for the address of the seminar host

[kesoaps]

I asked the same thing last year. It would appear quite difficult in sheep to do the baster method; I've been searching for an image that shows how far the semen needs to travel, but so far can not find anything (naturally, I can always find things when I'm not searching for them!) The path to the ovaries is long, basically, and complicated! I think the odds of a successful breeding are low.

Unfortunately, around here the vets don't know how to do AI with sheep. I talked with them last year and the response was "Well, we'd talked about taking the course, but no one really figures there's a market for it here."

I know the icelandic breeders hold conferences with classes on how to do it yourself from time to time; the last one out west here was cancelled, unfortunately, or I'd have tried to go.

[ShortSheep]

I had read that the whole ewe reproductive tract is shaped in such a matter that vaginally AI isn't doable. Here's a good site:

http://www.toprams.com/

[perridox]

I'm pretty sure this seminar is happening.

I don't know if the reproductive system of Icelandics is different or what, but VAI is pretty common with this breed. Most Icelandics seem to have some AI in their pedigrees.

[Somerhill]

Originally Posted by ShortSheep

I had read that the whole ewe reproductive tract is shaped in such a matter that vaginally AI isn't doable. Here's a good site:

http://www.toprams.com/

Martin Dally does all our LAI work. We're having about a dozen ewes AIed this October in the Morgantown WV area. We've had about an 80% success rate the three times we've had it done.
Martin travels all over the country doing LAI. Normally, a group of breeders get together to share the cost of travel so its cheaper for everyone.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

[Somerhill]

Originally Posted by minnikin1

OK, does this really have to be done surgically?
Anyone had success with the old turkey baster method?

For a while, there were some technicians doing it transcervically, but it was not all that successful, and LAI became the preferred method. Apparently its quite difficult to get through the cervical opening.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

[minnikin1]

Originally Posted by Somerhill

Martin Dally does all our LAI work. We're having about a dozen ewes AIed this October in the Morgantown WV area. We've had about an 80% success rate the three times we've had it done.
Martin travels all over the country doing LAI. Normally, a group of breeders get together to share the cost of travel so its cheaper for everyone.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

HI Lisa,
It looks like I will have to use Martin's service in order to get the Gotlands we've decided on. He comes to our area in the NE a little early in the year, so I was hesitant, but I really want to cross with this breed.
I'm curious about how this works because the list of required equipment is daunting! Do you take your ewes to a central location?
How much does this procedure cost above the price of the straws?
Have you had any infection or other side effects?

[Somerhill]

The first time we did it, they lambed in February, and I was nervouse about it, too. I'm thankful this group chose October 15th as their date. I'd be much happier with a November date, but its not my choice. :^)

I just talked with Martin, and he gave me the email address of someone who is about 2 hours away. She hosts the event and makes all the arrangements, and all we have to do is get the supplies from Martin and follow his schedule for the hormones, etc. At this farm, we'll keep the sheep on the trailer until its their turn, and load them right back on afterwards. I expect we'll be put to work moving sheep, shearing bellies, running the C02 tank, etc.

The price will range because Martin's expenses will be different - flight, hotel or stay at the farm, etc. Also, the cost is usually divided over the number of sheep he does, so that will vary, too. But in general, I expect to pay around $50-75 per head over the cost of the semen.

Its not cheap, but when you're working with a rare breed, at least some people have to make a commitment to bear the cost of bringing in new bloodlines. And frankly, I'd rather keep a closed flock and bring in new genetics this way.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

[kesoaps]

Lisa, what has your lambing rate been?

I know at Hawks Mt, they've been doing their own LAI; is this something that can be done without a vet, providing you've got the right training? $50-75 doesn't sound bad, but our vets here have never bothered with the training.

[Somerhill]

We are getting about 80-85% conception rate. So in otherwords, if we have 12 ewes inseminated, I'd expect 9-10 to catch.
The first time, we got a set of quads, 2 trips, 3 twins, and a single. The next 2 times, we got a mix of twins and singles. After talking with the man who hosted the 2nd two sessions, I really, really think he was not giving our ewes enough of the drug which causes them to ovulate. He is a very cautious person, and said he was not giving quite as much as Martin said to. So I am anxious to see if we have higher lambing percentage this time.
Other breeders who use Martin are getting more twins and triplets.

Having watched Martin do it,and even gotten to look into the ewe and watch him inject the semen, its not something I'd want done by someone without experience. It takes some "finesse" to get that needle into the proper part of the uterine horn. The actual operation is not that complicated, I don't think. But for the price of the semen and the disappointment if it did not work, I'd rather have an expert do it. I know that it would not be legal for me to do it for you, since I'm not a vet. But I don't know the legalities of practicing surgery on your own sheep.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

[flannelberry]

Originally Posted by perridox

I'm pretty sure this seminar is happening.

I don't know if the reproductive system of Icelandics is different or what, but VAI is pretty common with this breed. Most Icelandics seem to have some AI in their pedigrees.

Thus far the seminar will happen as long as we have one more participant. The cost is not cheap but I am signed up as I believe it will be very worthwhile and it's also not prohibitively expensive. Besides, what about having livestock is cheap!!!

The reproductive tract of most primitive breeds lends itself well to VAI. The Southram researchers developed this technique years ago and continue to refine it. We are lucky to have the opportunity to be trained by them.

[kesoaps]

Flannelberry; two comments for you.

First, it's cracking me up that under your user name you refer to yourself as 'pure mischief' and then your siggy says Peace...

Second, what have the success rates been with VAI? I'm asking, because Hawks Mt is doing LAI instead. I suspect it's more expensive, and can't imagine why they'd choose that method if VAI has a similar success rate.

[flannelberry]

Originally Posted by kesoaps

Flannelberry; two comments for you.

First, it's cracking me up that under your user name you refer to yourself as 'pure mischief' and then your siggy says Peace...

Dh would say that pretty much sums me up!!!

Originally Posted by kesoaps

Second, what have the success rates been with VAI? I'm asking, because Hawks Mt is doing LAI instead. I suspect it's more expensive, and can't imagine why they'd choose that method if VAI has a similar success rate.

IIRC the Southram technique has an 80% success rate and the VAI breeders I know using it claim they're in that ball park consistently. One of the reasons the success rate is believed to be so high is that there is much less stress to the ewe in the VAI procedure. LAI is surgical (which you already know) and so carries all of the risks that naturally go with that.

The other really cool thing about VAI is if you have a ewe who doesn't "take" the first time you can try again for the next heat and on until she does because it is so low stress and once you're trained you just DIY.

Does that help? My knowledge is strictly academic as I have not yet taken the course but I do have my fingers crossed that it will go ahead this year. We'll know tomorrow. If not I'll get to see Iceland next year - so it's kind of a win/win for me!

[Somerhill]

Originally Posted by minnikin1

HI Lisa,
Have you had any infection or other side effects?

Forgot to answer this part. Nope - no infections. They used to use a staple to close the small incisions, but I think people were having problems with those getting imbedded and causing small localized infections, so he stopped doing that.
The sheep do not seem to have much pain. Once they are released, they trot right over to the hay and start munching away.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com