The equipment used for cattle insemination can be used for elk insemination. If the estrus period cannot be detected through behavioral signs, the insemination is conducted at a prescribed time based on the estrus synchronization protocol used. However, the results have not yet begun to compare to the results from other farmed deer species, and more work is needed. Synchronization of estrus for both the embryo donor and recipient is similar to that used for artificial insemination. The development of more purified FSH with a reduced LH activity has helped increase the response to superovulation in elk.
Natural breeding is used most often following superovulation.
The techniques used for the collection and transfer of embryos from elk are similar to those used in commercial bovine embryo transfer programs. Rectal palpation facilitates the passage of a catheter through the cervix, and medium is introduced and removed by gravity flow to flush the embryos from the uterus. Embryos are collected on day 6 or 7 post breeding to collect uterine stage embryos. Collected embryos can either be transferred immediately to a synchronous recipient, or the embryos can be frozen. The protocols for freezing elk embryos are based on the techniques used to freeze domestic cattle embryos.