Why use Artificial Insemination?
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore participates within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the Species Survival Plan (SSP)/Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) for elephants. Species survival plans are cooperative population management and conservation programs for selected species in zoos and aquariums in North America. Species are selected based on many different criteria such as reproductive age and health, genetics, habitat space and care, and animal behavior. Each SSP manages the breeding of a species in order to maintain a healthy and self-sustaining population that is both genetically diverse and demographically stable. These plans also include research, public education, reintroduction programs, and field projects. In 2003 the SSP/TAG for African elephants had recommended Dolly for possible breeding attempts because of her genetic lineage. Based on their particular genetic histories, four to six males were selected as breeding partners. However, Dolly is close to the upper age res
The use of artificial insemination promotes the improvement of livestock by using the sperm of the best males of the species, on a greater population of females, than would naturally occur. As a conservation tool, artificial insemination can be very useful for breeds at risk. The ability to freeze semen also helps to ensure the survival of rare gene pools, for example endangered species. Other advantages include: the fact that female animals do not have to be transported to stud for mating because the sperm is delivered to the breeder; diseases are less likely to be spread and genetic mutations are not passed on because only the sperm of healthy, stringently tested, male animals are used; injuries that may sometimes occur during natural mating (biting, kicking, crushing) do not happen when AI is used; farmers or breeders in remote places and foreign countries can improve their stock. The extra work, expense and responsibility of keeping a bull or stallion on site for breeding purposes
• AI can help control disease. This is accomplished by preventing skin contact such as in natural covering. The most important diseases it protects against are transmission EHV & CEM. In addition antibiotics can be added to the semen at the time of insemination or collection and reduce or totally eliminate breeding the mare with any bacteria at all. • Using AI over natural covering decreases chances of injury. Semen is generally only collected no more than every other day in an AI program, so there is much less chance for injury. In addition semen can be collected on a phantom and a mare in heat may not even be needed. Not only does this almost eliminate injury to the mare and stallion but also it dramatically reduces the chances of injury to those staff working in the covering barn. • Semen can be collected from stallions with libido problems. Some stallions may not have the sexual drive to cover naturally, but semen can be harvested using various collection techniques. • Semen is eva
