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ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN SHEEP AND GOATS
[Vol. XXI, Part III,
it has been found to be comparatively easier to work with this technique of collec-
tion than with the other method like induction by electric stimulation [Gunn, 1936],
and it was adopted throughout the investigations. The details of the technique as
given by Walton [1938] was followed and to induce condition reflex, all the collec-
tions were made on a specially constructed service crate similar to the one used by
Walton. The training of the males was done by using anoestrous females from the
very beginning. The bucks and rams to be trained were led to the females of the
respective species confined in the crates. Each was allowed fifteen minutes time
with the female and then removed. Thirteen bucks and sixteen rams were trained
by this method. The number of trials needed for the training varied from one to
thirty-one. Regular collections could be made from all these males once they
started responding to this method. One goat started mounting after eighteen daily
trials and also gave thrusts in the artificial vagina without, however, ejaculating
semen. Various attempts were made to induce ejaculation by changing the pres-
sure and temperature of the artificial vagina but without success. When allowed
natural service, the animal was found to liberate live sperms.
Insemination of the female
The insemination was done with the help of a Russian model vaginal speculum
and all-glass syringe connected to a long ebonite nozzle [Walton, 1938] or a
strong glass pipette. The blades of the speculum were well lubricated with liquid
paraffin and introduced into the vagina. After the cervix was located, the tip of the
nozzle or pipette was introduced into it and the requisite quantity of semen was
deposited into the cervix with the help of the syringe or in the case of the pipette
by blowing at the other end. The advantage of this method is that the operator
can see if the semen on deposition into the cervix is expelled by the animal. Genital
diseases can also be spotted during inseminations. The speculum and the nozzle
should be disinfected before each insemination.
Altogether 198 ewes and 134 goats were inseminated. Out of these, a few goats
and a number of sheep were inseminated at Hissar. A number of goats from the
neighbouring villages were also available. Single insemination was done at one
heat period in all the animals. Workers in other countries have obtained varying
results between single and more inseminations during the heat period. According
to some, a single service gives as good results as two or more inseminations, but
Kelley [1937] found better results with several services. In artificial insemination
work on high grade Merino sheep in Kenya somewhat better results were obtained
by two or more inseminations [Anderson, 1945]. According to Kirillov [1938]
only those ewes which show a heat period of more than twenty-four hours should be
inseminated twice. Little difference in pregnancy was noted amongst ewes insemi-
nated once and those inseminated two or three times by Lopyrin and Loginova
[1939] in their observations on multiple inseminations in 2,582 ewes.
Fractions of the total ejaculate varying from 1/2 to 1/65 in sheep and from 1/2 to
1/53 in goats were tried in inseminating ewes and does and success was obtained
with fractions upto 1/40 in sheep and 1/32 in goats.