Semen collection

Seminiferous Tubules

RELATIONSHIP OF GERM CELLS TO THE

ADAJCENT SERTOLI CELLS

Excurrent Duct System:

Epididymis
Caput

Corpus

Cauda

Elongated, adherent,
encased in T.Albogenia
Ductus epididumus:
single, highly convoluted,
surrounded by SM:
contractions
Three layers: T. serosa, T.
muscularis, T. mucosa
and sub mucosa
Function: storage,
concentration, maturation

 Semen = Seminal plasma + spermatozoa

Sperm = Seminiferous tubules + vas efferentia
Seminal plasma = Secretion of (Ampulla +
Seminal vesicles + Prostate gland)
Semen collection is like harvesting crop.
Objectives:
To obtain maximum no. of sperm of highest possible
quality
To evaluate if male is sterile or fertile
To make the maximum use of superior sires

Sperm Pathway Out of Body

Seminiferous tubules
Rete Testis
Efferent ducts
Caput Epididymus
Corpus Epididymus
Cauda Epididymus
Ductus deferens
Ampulla

Pelvic Urethra
Penile Urethra

Methods of Semen Collection

Recovery
Massage
Artificial vagina
Digital manipulation
Electro-ejaculation

Recovery
Taking semen from
vagina with spoon/siphon
after breeding
Recovered semen is of
poor quality

 By placing the rubber

breeding bag/sponge
in vagina before
copulation
Recovered semen is
of poor quality

Massage Method
By inserting the in the
rectum
Pressure exerted in
milking motion on the
ampulla, prostate and
vesicular gland
Semen drips without
erection and extension
Semen is of poor quality &
contaminated with urine
and debris

Artificial Vagina Methods

Artificial vagina (AV) is used to collect
semen from cattle and horses and also
sheep and goats

Components of AV
Rigid rubber casing with an opening at 10 cm
from one end
Rough-textured latex inner liner
Rubber band
Rubber funnel
Graduated glass collection tube
Insulated and zippered jacket during cold
season
Different shape and size by species

AVs for Cattle

AVs for sheep

AVs for Stallion

Requirements of AV
Pressure: By filling water and a little air
into the space between casing and inner
liner
Temperature: Temperature of water at
filling:43-46 C
Lubrication: Around front area of liner with
sterile and harmless lubricating jelly (KY
Jelly)

Collecting from the bull

AV should be held parallel to the expected path

of bull's penis, after false mounts
Guide penis to the side by grasping sheath and
direct it into AV
Bull will thrust and ejaculate simultaneously
Precautions:
a. Prevent cold shock
b. Protect collection tube from sunlight
c. Avoid contamination of semen by urine, water
or lubricating jelly
d. Use a different sterile AV for each ejaculation

Electro-ejaculation
Principle:
Electrically stimulating nerves to male reproductive
system
Uses for bulls:
For crippled, aged or sexually low active dairy bulls
For checking semen quality of beef bulls prior to
natural breeding season
Equipment:
A bipolar electrode and a variable source of
alternating current: voltage: 0 - 30 V, amperage: 0.5 1.0 A; alternating + and - rings spaced 4cm apart,
running longitudinally along the electrode
Semen quality as compared with AV ejaculates: larger
volume, lower in sperm concentration, sometimes
semen contamination by urine

Power
control

Probe

Collecting
tube
handle

Digital Manipulation
By applying pressure and massage to the
penis
Cone attached to a collection tube, is
slipped over the erected penis to facilitate
harvesting the semen
Used in dogs
Semen is collected from chickens and
turkeys using a form of digital manipulation

The Ejaculate
Spec.
Bull

Volume
(ml)
5 - 15

Conc.
(# cells/ml)
800 M - 1 B

Ram

.8 -1.2

2-3B

Boar

150 - 200

200 - 300 M

Stallion

60 - 100

200 - 500 M

Rooster

.2 - 1.5

500 - 800 M

Color
Creamy
white
Creamy
and thick
Milky
Grayish
white
White
thik