Advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination

This is some information that can be given to students in the form of a hand out.

Advantages:

· There is no need of maintenance of breeding bull for a herd; hence the cost of maintenance of breeding bull is saved.

· It prevents the spread of certain diseases and sterility due to genital diseases example contagious abortion and vibriosis.

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

· The progeny testing can be done at an early age.

· The semen of a desired sire can be used even after the death of that particular sire.

· The semen collected can be taken to the urban areas or rural areas for insemination.

· It makes possible the mating of animals with great differences in size without injury to either of the animals.

· It is helpful to inseminate the animals that refuse to accept the male at the time of oestrum.

· It helps in maintaining the accurate breeding and calving records.

· Semen can be used on tens of thousands of females a year instead of the actual bull being only able to cover 30 females in a breeding season.

· Job is less dangerous because there is not a potentially dangerous bull to handle after every breeding season

· The rate of genetic development and production gain can be increased, by using semen from males of high genetic merit for superior females.

· It enables breeding between animals in different geographic locations.

· Artificial Insemination can be used in conservation of rare breeds or endangered species.



Disadvantages:

·Requires well-trained operators and special equipment.

· Requires more time than natural services.

· Improper cleaning of instruments and insanitary conditions may lead to lower fertility.

· If the bull is not properly tested, the spreading of genital diseases will be increased.

· There is only a 60 to 70% conception rate for artificial insemination than with using a fertile herd bull

· The operator needs to have adequate knowledge of heat periods of female stock and know what to look for to see if any stock is in heat and then judge the time to artificially inseminate them. There may be added stress involved when females have to be restrained

· Artificial insemination isn't a job that can be learned by trail and error; it has to be taught first by a trained professional before it can be carried out in the field.

· Semen has to be stored properly otherwise it will become no longer viable; improper handling will also render it in viable.

· There has been a decline in fertility in dairy cattle and horses associated with an increase in Artificial Insemination

· The focus on certain individuals may result in loss of genetic variation.