Please select one of the below services for more information -
Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination
Multiple Ovulation and Embryo Transfer
FOR YOUR INFORMATION…………… Semen Orders
It is useful to note the following when embarking on either an AI or ET programme.
Fresh Semen
• If you are planning to use fresh semen for your AI work, it is important that we can see the ram roughly 4 weeks prior to your AI date.
Firstly to check that he is willing to 'jump' with an audience and secondly to freeze some back up semen from him if possible.
• It is a good idea to have some form of back-up for your AI day, be that fresh or frozen (both is preferable).
Frozen Semen
• Most commonly ram semen tends to be frozen in 2 dose pellets (P2). This is not always the case but it is wise to check with the vendor before purchasing so you know what to expect.
• Because semen may be frozen in different ways, to avoid confusion, always discuss semen as the numbers of DOSES needed, not pellets or straws.
For example:
Ewes for AI only: 20 ewes will need 20 doses.
Ewes AI'd for embryo transfer: these ewes are inseminated twice 4 to 6 hours apart: each ewe will need 2 doses of semen.
HOWEVER, there is a complicating factor here.
If one donor ewe is being mated to a specific sire and the semen is P2 pellets (2 doses in each pellet) it will be thawed at the first insemination however the second dose will not survive until the next AI time (frozen semen must be used immediately after thawing). At the next AI time another pellet must be thawed to provide the next dose for the donor and there will be a second dose in this pellet too.