Semen preservation and artificial insemination in South American camelids are reviewed giving emphasis to work done in Peru and by the authors. Reports on semen evaluation and the preservation process indicate that semen of alpacas and llamas can be manipulated by making it liquid first. Collagenase appears to be the best enzyme to eliminate viscosity. Tris buffer solution maintains a higher mo...

The objective of the present study was to determine the accuracy and the negative prediction value of Pregnancy-Associated Glycoprotein (PAG) at 29 d post artificial insemination by ELISA. Blood serums of multiparous Holstein cows were used (n = 275). Pregnancy diagnosis was carried out by rectal palpation at 40 d and it was considered as reference test. Pregnancy results based on the PAG-ELISA...

BACKGROUND The aim was to ascertain whether using ultrasound guidance during intrauterine insemination (IUI) could increase pregnancy rates (PRs). METHODS The population under study consisted of 73 consecutive couples subjected to IUI in our Human Reproduction Unit, between June and December 2006, with a total of 231 IUI cycles performed. The patients were randomized using a computer-generate...

Artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET) are not just reproductive techniques, but indispensable tools for genetic improvement. In this sense, they play an effective part in propagating improved breeds. Analysis of the development of insemination of French cattle breeds since 1960 shows how breeders can alter their genetic choices to meet economic needs. AI and ET also have their p...

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical pregnancy rate with 2 inseminations compared to a single intrauterine insemination (IUI) in a given cycle using frozen-thawed donor sperm. This was a retrospective study at a university practice; patients were women using donor sperm. We conducted a comparison of single IUI, intracervical insemination (ICI) followed by an IUI on the...

This experiment was designed to compare pregnancy rates in postpartum beef cows resulting from fixed-time AI (FTAI) at 54 or 66 h after administration of the CO-Synch + controlled internal drug-release (CIDR) protocol. Cows (n = 851) at 2 locations over 2 yr (yr 1, n = 218 and 206; and yr 2, n = 199 and 228 at the 2 locations, respectively) were stratified by age, BCS, and days postpartum to 1 ...

Male attractiveness can have tremendous effects on the fitness of his offspring via good genes, but also via enhanced maternal allocation of resources. Yet the proximate mechanisms influencing differential maternal allocation in relation to male sexiness are poorly known. Here, we studied the importance of visual stimulation for maternal allocation in the Houbara bustard, a vulnerable bird spec...

Tremendous genetic improvements have occurred in the dairy cattle population. The progress has been due to the identification and the subsequent availability of superior sires through artificial insemination (Al). Since 1973 a new technology, embryo transfer (ET), has provided an additional avenue for genetic progress. The genetic and economic returns from this technology remain subject to the ...