Artifcial Insemination of Dairy Goats

Guide D-704
Reviewed by Chris Allison and G. Robert Hagevoort1

Cooperative Extension Service • College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences

INTRODUCTION
Artifcial insemination (AI) involves collection of semen program will succeed. Knowing when a doe comes into
from a buck and transfer of the semen to the reproduc- estrus lets the technician time insemination so it more
tive tract of the doe. Does can be inseminated with nearly coincides with ovulation.
either fresh semen or with commercially available frozen
semen. This publication discusses the use of frozen se- Symptoms of does in heat are:
men to artifcially inseminate does. 1. Does that are unusually aggressive, noisy, or active.
2. Females that stand to be mounted by herdmates.
Reasons the dairy goat producer may consider using 3. Decreased appetite and milk production.
AI include the following: 4. A clear mucous discharge from the vulva.
1. Eliminate or reduce the cost of maintaining bucks.
2. Increase the rate of genetic improvement. It is important to establish a heat detection schedule
3. Increase the number of does to which a buck during the breeding season. Does that are to be insemi-
could be bred. nated should be observed twice daily for 15–20 min-
4. Breed several does the same day through use of AI utes. Early morning and late afternoon are good times
and estrous synchronization. to observe estrus. Observing does for heat detection
only during chore time may result in estrus ewes being
Whatever the reasons for using AI, it is important overlooked because of their change in behavior as they
that the producer fully understands the reproductive anticipate feeding.
cycle of the doe and correct semen handling and insemi- Accurate records should be maintained, including
nation procedures. time of heat, length of heat, and length of time between
heat periods. These records will help a producer accu-
rately anticipate and detect heat in individual does, and
REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE OF THE DOE time insemination with ovulation.
In general, dairy goats are seasonal breeders. The breed-
ing season is initiated by decreasing daylight and runs
from late August to January in the United States. Es- TIME OF INSEMINATION
trous cycles can be initiated out of season by control- As discussed earlier, a doe is a seasonal breeder that
ling artifcial lights to simulate decreasing daylight. The cycles about every 21 days. The average heat or
goat’s average estrous cycle is 21 days. However, indi- estrus will last from 24 to 36 hours, with ovulation
vidual does can have either longer or shorter intervals occurring near the end of estrus. The standard AI
between heat periods. For this reason, it is important to recommendation is to breed does two (or three) times
keep individual reproductive records on each doe. The at 12-hr intervals. This breeding schedule increases
duration of heat or estrus is typically 24 to 36 hours, the possibility of a healthy sperm contacting a healthy
with ovulation occurring near the end of estrus. ovum. It is essential that does be inseminated before
ovulation so that sperm cells can undergo a process
called capacitation. If records establish the average
HEAT DETECTION length of a particular doe’s heat period, one can breed
A producer’s heat detection program is an important the doe once using the schedule shown in Table 1 and
factor in determining whether an artifcial insemination probably achieve satisfactory fertility.

1
Respectively, Department Head, Department of Extension Animal Sciences and Natural Resources, Las Cruces and Extension Dairy Specialist, Agricultural
Science Center at Clovis, both of New Mexico State University.

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Sciences on the World Wide Web at aces.nmsu.edu
Table 1. Breeding Time Chart* prevent damaging or killing sperm cells. Pull the plung-
If doe’s normal heat Breed her at this time after frst er back 4 to 6 inches on the insemination gun and place
period length is: observed signs of heat: the straw into the gun with the cotton plug toward the
plunger. After the straw has been secured in the gun, the
24 hr As soon as the doe shows estrus sealed end of the straw must be cut off with the straw
36 hr Within 12 hr of estrus cutter. The cover sheath should now be placed over the
48 hr 24 hr after estrus insemination gun and secured with an O ring.
72 hr 48 hr after estrus
The next step is the actual insemination process. It
may be necessary to lift the doe’s hindquarters if she will
* In all cases, if doe is still in heat 24 hrs after frst breeding, breed her again. not stand. If working alone, hold the insemination gun
in your mouth, or have an assistant hand the insemi-
nation gun to you at the appropriate time. Turn your
EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO INSEMINATE DOES headlight on.
WITH FROZEN SEMEN Lubricate the speculum with a non-spermicidal lubri-
cant. Clean the doe’s vulva with a dry paper towel and
1. Liquid nitrogen tank insert the lubricated speculum slowly into the vulva. In-
2. Speculum (25 x 175 mm for doelings or 25 x 200 sert the speculum at an upward angle to prevent vaginal
mm for does) irritation.
3. AI light or headlight Once the speculum has been inserted, visually locate
4. Straw tweezers the cervix. The cervix should have a red-purple color,
5. Sterile lubricant (non-spermicidal) and white mucus will be present if the doe is in heat.
6. Insemination gun (for straws) Center the speculum over the opening of the cervix.
7. Breeding stand or facilities to restrain the doe Insert the insemination gun into the speculum and
8. Thaw box thread it into the opening of the cervix. Use a circular
9. Paper towels motion and slight pressure to work the insemination
10. Straw cutter gun through the rings of the cervix. Do not penetrate
11. Thermometer the cervix more than 1.5 inches. It is a good idea to
draw a red ring around the cover sheath of the insemi-
These supplies can be obtained from several livestock nation gun 1.5 inches from the tip. This mark lets you
supply companies. The liquid nitrogen tank will be the to know how far you have penetrated the cervix.
largest single expense and will cost approximately $500. Deposit the semen slowly by pushing the plunger for-
ward. Remove the insemination gun slowly and remove
the speculum.
SEMEN THAWING AND INSEMINATION Record all important information in a breeding journal.
PROCEDURES Artifcial insemination is a powerful tool that can
The frst step is to restrain the doe to be inseminated. allow dairy goat breeders the fexibility to increase the
This can be done with a breeding stand or any other rate of genetic improvement in their herds. Although
satisfactory facility. AI is a powerful tool, it requires proper technique and
After the doe is restrained, the semen is thawed and attention to detail for a high level of success. With good
the insemination gun is prepared. Frozen semen should heat detection, records, and semen handling techniques,
be thawed according to the processor’s recommenda- individuals can become successful AI technicians.
tions. If these recommendations are not available,
remove the frozen straw from the liquid nitrogen tank
with the straw tweezers and place it in a thaw box flled
with warm water (95ºF) for 30 seconds. After thawing,
dry the straw thoroughly with a paper towel. Semen Original author: John F. Smith, former
must be kept warm and must not be exposed to sunlight Extension Dairy Specialist
or water during the thawing and inseminating process to

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Revised April 2009 Las Cruces, NM