Advantages and disadvantages of artificial insemination

Artificial insemination

• It’s a method of breeding in which semen is obtained from the male and introduced into the female reproductive  tract by means of an instrument without direct contract between the males.

Advantages of artificial insemination

• It’s easier and cheaper to transport semen from distant places than transporting a bull
• Semen from good males may be stored for use in future years even after the death of such animals
• This enables controlled seasonal and planned breeding on farms
• It’s easy to keep accurate breeding records  since the time of service  is always known
• It’s easy to control venereal diseases e.g. contagious abortion and trichomoniasis in a herd since semen used is first examined
• Poor breeds or bulls can be easily eliminated from the breeding program giving room for better sires
• Semen from lame bulls and those that are dead but of good quality can be easily used in the breeding
• Injury to small and weak females by heavy bulls can be controlled using artificial insemination.
• It reduces the cost and the risk of keeping a bull on the farm since bulls are usually aggressive.
• Semen from good sires can be easily made available to farmers in rural areas through artificial insemination.
• Artificial insemination is economical since one ejaculation can serve over 100 cows after dilution.

Problems of artificial insemination 

• Silent heat: Some female animals do not show signs of heat hence it’s very difficult to carry out A.I on such animals
• The method of communal grazing in Uganda does not easily allow A.I since poor bulls from different herds can mount animals.
• There is a danger of disease outbreak more especially if contaminated semen is used.
• Special skills are required to carry out artificial insemination which may be lacking from the farmers
• Semen requires special equipment and conditions for storage which may not be easily available to the rural farmers.
• Poor roads in rural areas make the transportation of semen to such places difficult and expansive.

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Dr. Bbosa Science