Research Journal for Veterinary Practitioners

Research Article

Survey of Artificial Insemination Practices in Algeria

Samir Souames1, Christian Hanzen2, Johann Detilleux3, Rachid Kaidi4
1
Laboratory of animal health and production, Superior National Veterinary School, BP 161, Algiers, Algeria; 2De-
partment of Theriogenology of animal production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B-4000 Bel-
gium; 3Department of Quantitative genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université of Liège, B-4000 Belgium;
4
Laboratory of biotechnology related to animal reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Saad Dahl-
eb, 09000, Blida, Algeria.
Abstract | A survey was conducted to describe the different practices of artificial insemination (AI).
A total of 223 (55%) Algerian inseminators were surveyed. The questionnaire was divided into 4
groups: the first group involved general data about the inseminator (years of experience, number of
AI performed yearly, % of AI achieved during natural heat, % of breeders who use AI); the second
group focused on various practices employed before AI (confirmation of estrus, assessment of body
condition); the third group examined practices applied during AI (thawing and semen deposition);
the fourth and last group reviewed practices used after AI (monitoring the return to estrus and
pregnancy diagnosis). One in two inseminators had more than five years of experience and 71% had
achieved more than 200 annual AI which were influenced by the inseminator’s years of experience
(p<0.001). Sixty nine percent had achieved more than half of AI during natural heat 12 hours after
the onset of the oestrus. Before thawing of semen, 43% had palpated the uterine tone and follicle,
65% had reported that less than 11% of females were not in heat. Thawing semen in warm-water
(35-38°C) for 40 seconds is the most commonly used practice. Before AI, only 36% used a protective
plastic sheaths. Essentially the semen is deposited in the uterine body. Once the insemination gun
has been removed, inseminators were more likely to massage the uterus than to stimulate the clito-
ris (91 vs. 19%). In the case of non-return to heat, 53% have diagnosed pregnancy through manual
palpation rather than ultrasonography (73 vs. 27%). The frequency of pregnancy diagnosis was influ-
enced by the number of breeders who practice AI (p<0.05), but not by the number of annual AI. The
practice of AI was reported by the majority of respondents. Correct insemination practices will result
in better fertility. Further training is required for the inseminators, if we want to use AI successfully
to maintain a sustainable dairy industry in the future.

Keywords | Cattle, Artificial insemination, Practices, Fertility, Algeria

Editor | Muhammad Abubakar, National Veterinary Laboratories, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Received | September 30, 2014; Revised | October 26, 2014; Accepted | October 29, 2014; Published | November 07, 2014
*Correspondence | Samir Souames, Superior National Veterinary School, Algiers, Algeria; Email: samir_souames@[Link]
Citation | Souames S, Hanzen C, Detilleux J, Kaidi R (2015). Survey of artificial insemination practices in Algeria. Res. J. Vet. Pract. 3 (1): 1-9.
DOI | [Link]
ISSN | 2308-2798

Copyright © 2015 Souames et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

INTRODUCTION al Inter Professional Office for Milk, ONIL 2012).

Breeding cattle is one of the main priorities of the

T he Algerian milk production (3.1 billion litres) Algerian state in the area of agriculture. Since 1969,
meets the needs of only 56% of the popula- the Algerian state has organized the importation of
tion (5.5 billion litres equivalent in milk) (Nation- pregnant dairy heifers, ensured the importation of
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powdered milk (about 300,000 tons which amounts tius and Camon-Urgel, 1991), heat detection remains
to 500 million dollars during these past years) and to be a major problem. According to Sturman et al.
intensified the genetic improvement of bovine live- (2000), 19% of females were inseminated with a high
stock by encouraging the use of artificial insemination level of milk progesterone. The timing of AI in rela-
(AI) through the creation of The National Centre for tion to the onset of heat is equally essential. A sig-
Artificial Insemination and Genetic Improvement nificant difference in gestation rates (48.1%, 63.7%
(CNIAAG) in 1988. This institution ensures the and 55.9%) was reported when AI was performed
production, processing and conservation of bovine between 0 to 4 hours, 4 to 24 hours and more than 24
semen, the popularization of AI and inseminator hours, respectively, from the onset of heat (Dorsey et
training. The CNIAAG manages the activity of 406 al., 2011). That would indicate that the ideal timing
inseminators, who practice in more than 150 cir- for insemination is 12 to 18 hours after the onset of
cuits across the national territory (CNIAAG, 2012). heat (Roelofs et al., 2005).
The number of AI increased from 50,000 in 2002 to
more than 190,000 in 2012. AI penetration rates were The process of thawing bovine semen can also have a
47% in the Central region, 33% in the East, and 20% significant effect on the fertility rate. A significant in-
in the West. AI essentially involves imported foreign crease in the conception rate (35 vs. 27%) was report-
breeds (Holstein, Montbeliarde, Fleckvieh and Brown ed when thawing was done in warm-water (33-35°C)
Swiss). These breeds represent 30% of the national compared to air-thaw procedure (Dejarnette and
dairy bovine livestock, estimated to 966,000 cows and Marshall, 2005). Thawing must occur at a tempera-
heifers (CNIAAG, 2012). ture of 34°C to 38°C for a minimum of 20 seconds for
a thin straw (0.25 ml) and 40 seconds for a medium
Despite concerted efforts, the average milk produc- straw (0.5 ml) (Dejarnette et al., 2004). Unfortunately,
tion (<15 litres per day) remains below expectations. thawing the straw in a shirt pocket, air-thaw or even
One reason for this low milk production is extended in an insemination gun are still widely practiced (De-
calving intervals. Their calculated average value out of jarnette et al., 2000).
1200 lactations is between 430 and 435 days (Bou-
zebda, 2007; Miroud, 2009). Infertility is probably Fertility depends on the inseminator. A highly signif-
partly responsible. Indeed the pregnancy rates at the icant difference in conception rate (45 vs. 27%) was
time of the first insemination (AI1) ranges from 25 to observed between professional technicians and breed-
31% (Bouzebda, 2007; Miroud, 2009). ers who practice AI (Dalton et al., 2004). The use of a
protective plastic sheath during AI can contribute to
Diverse factors related to the animal, the breeder and an improved conception rate. Bas et al. (2010) report-
the inseminator are responsible for this infertility. A ed a significant increase in the gestation rate (42.7 vs.
weak AI success rate after placental retention or pu- 36.1%) in females inseminated with protective plastic
erperal infection has been reported (Lopez-Gatius et sheaths.
al., 2005). The female’s body condition score (BCS)
must be taken into consideration in order to deter- It has traditionally been recommended to inseminate
mine the appropriate timing of AI in postpartum. An the female in the uterine body. There was a declined
insufficient BCS (< 2.5) at the time of insemination by 22% in pregnancy rate when AI was performed in
is a possible cause of a decline in the AI1 success rate the cervix (Gwasdauskas et al., 1986). Senger et al.
(Loeffler et al., 1999). (1988) documented a highly significant increase in
conception rate when semen was deposited in the
AI practices include heat detection, timing of insem- uterine horn as opposed to the uterine body (64.6 vs.
ination, site of semen deposition and techniques. The 44.7%). Nonetheless, deep-horn AI requires previous
details of this practice have been reported in sever- palpation of the ovaries in order to identify which
al publications (Lopez-Gatius, 2000; Saacke, 2008; horn (right or left) has the follicle (Lopez-Gatius and
Lopez-Gatius, 2012). Camon-Urgel, 1988).

Although the importance of confirming oestrus be- A study conducted by Loeffler et al. (1999) deter-
fore insemination has been documented (Lopez-Ga- mined that the presence of transparent mucus on the
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tip of the gun after AI was positively associated with guns, semen storage tanks, thermometers and thaw-
an increased conception rate. ing thermoses, protective plastic sheaths, vaginoscope,
ultrasonograph).
A reduction of 50 % was noted in the conception rate
when an abnormal discharge (blood, pus) appeared on The second group (12 questions) relates to various
the gun following AI. Many authors have stressed the practices employed before performing AI (anamnesis,
beneficial effect of lightly massaging the uterus and method of vaginal examination, factors that confirm
clitoris at the time of AI on conception rate. An in- oestrus, timing of AI, evaluation of BCS, BCS not
crease in the success rate of AI1 of 18% (62 vs. 44%) recommended for AI, estimation of percentage of
was observed after 2 minutes of uterine massage (Hall cows that are not truly in heat on the day of AI, as
and Plasto, 1970). Clitoral stimulation for 3 seconds well as the method used to make that diagnosis).
at the time of AI increases the conception rate up to
15% at AI1 (74 vs. 59%) (Lunstra et al., 1985). This has The third group (17 questions) involves the practices
been attributed to the positive effect on the secretion applied during AI (monitoring level of liquid nitrogen
of oxytocin and LH (Randel et al., 1975). The lack of in the canister, methods for thawing semen, wiping
inseminator experience contributes to an increase in the straw, checking for the presence of sperm, use of a
the time between thawing the straw and deposit in protective plastic sheath, method for cleaning the vul-
the uterine body. As such, this time was 4.2±0.17 min va, anatomic site of AI, pressure exerted on the gun,
and 5.8±0.22 min, respectively, for technicians and in- speed at which gun is withdrawn, sheath verification,
seminators/breeders (Dalton et al., 2004). The interval duration of the AI, uterine stimulation and clitoral
between thawing and insemination can be extended massage).
up to 15 minutes, if the straw can be maintained at
ambient temperature and with strict hygiene during The fourth and last group (13 questions) relates to
AI (Dejarnette et al., 2004). various practices after AI (filling the AI certificate, re-
cording AI dates, monitoring return to heat, percent-
The technique of inseminating is a skill requiring ad- age of pregnancy diagnoses and method used manual
equate knowledge and experience. Semen must be de- versus ultrasonographic, confirming gestation stage,
posited within the tract of the cow at the best location coding data, inseminator’s views, and their ongoing
and at the best time to obtain acceptable conception training needs).
rates. Improper AI techniques can negate all other ef-
forts to obtain conception. The present study aims to The study was conducted from January to September
describe the different practices involved in perform- 2012 with a total 406 inseminators. The CNIAAG
ing AI, and to discuss these findings in order to make ensured the distribution of questionnaires through its
recommendations to Algerian inseminators. three regional administrations (Central: Algiers, East:
Setif, West: Oran) and medical practitioners. We em-
MATERIALS AND METHODS phasized to inseminators that to follow their usual AI
practices in the field.
The survey consisted of 66 questions divided into 4
groups: the first group (24 questions) addressed gen- Statistical Analysis
eral data about the inseminator (professional duties, Although the study was basically descriptive yet a sta-
age, sex, year and faculty where doctorate of veterinary tistical analysis was undertaken with the SAS statis-
surgeon was obtained, type of clinical activity, number tical program following the PROC FREQ procedure
of years of experience practicing AI, number of AI (SAS 2001) using the Chi-square and Fisher’s exact
completed annually, region practiced in). The context test.
of inseminator activity was characterised by the types
and breeds of cattle involved, the size of the herd, the RESULTS
number of breeders among their clientele, the per-
centage of breeders who use AI, the percentage of AI General data
achieved during natural heat as well as the material The survey’s response rate was 55% (223/406). The
available to the inseminator (number of insemination inseminators who participated in the study were ei-
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ther less than 31 years old (23%), between 31 and 40 vaginal examination. Forty-four percent of insemina-
years of age (42%) or over 40 years (35%). They have tors have confirmed oestrus by identifying the uterine
less than 6 years (48%) or more than 5 years (52%) tone, 43% by palpating the ovarian follicle and only
of experience, respectively. Forty two percent of them 13% of them on uterine tone, the presence of a follicle
have an exclusively rural practice and 58% of them and of a mucus discharge (Table 2). These different
participate in both rural and canine activity. For the approaches in assessing oestrus have showed no sig-
most part (71%), they performed over 200 AI per nificant relationship with the inseminator’s years of
year (36%, 200 to 400, and 35%, > 400 AI per year). experience or the annual number of AI.
The number of annual AI was significantly higher
(p<0.001) when the inseminator’s years of experience After control of oestrus, many inseminators (65%)
was high. In fact, 27.5% of inseminators with more have estimated that less than 11% of females would
than 5 years of experience performed more than 400 not have been in true heat and consequently not ready
AI per year. On the other hand, 21.9% with less than for AI. For 25% of inseminators, this percentage
6 years of experience performed less than 200 AI per would range between (11-20%). Very few of respond-
year (Table 1). ents (10%) recognized that more than 21% of females
would not have been in heat (Table 2). Forty four per
One in two inseminators has access to one AI gun, cent of inseminators have practiced transrectal palpa-
44% have 2 guns. The majority own neither a vagino- tion to identify a female who is not in heat, 35% used
scope (59%), nor a thermos (68%) for thawing semen, anamnesis and transrectal palpation and only 21%
68% have 1-2 thermometers. Many (78%) have two relied on anamnesis. The present study demonstrates
storage tanks (a big and a small). Only 27% have ac- that a high number of inseminators (92%) have eval-
cess to an ultrasonograph. uated the animal’s BCS before its AI, 74% of them
have estimated that a BCS ≤ 2 has a negative effect
Seventy per cent of inseminators have a clientele that on fertility.
includes more than 50 breeding farms, out of which
an average of 52% performed AI exclusively. The ma-
jority (69%) performed more than half of their AI on Practices applied at the time of AI
The majority (92%) of the inseminators monitored
natural heat, approximately 12 hours after the onset
the level of liquid nitrogen before handling the
of oestrus. In 2/3 of these cases AI involve imported
straw. Eighty per cent of them thawed the straw in
livestock (Holstein and Montbeliarde) or livestock
warm-water (35-38°C) for 40 seconds (Table 3).
from local cross-breeding.
Once the straw has been thawed, it is usually wiped
Practices applied before AI and the presence of sperm was verified. Few insemi-
The majority of inseminators systematically have nators (36%) used a protective plastic sheath to avoid
achieved anamnesis before AI. This includes the date potential contamination of the straw in the genital
and type of calving, AI dates, date and signs of heat, tract. The majority (93%) cleaned the vulva before AI
the possible presence of postpartum pathologies. in order to avoid accidental penetration of faecal mat-
Eighty nine per cent of them controlled oestrus, usu- ter in the vagina or uterus via the gun sheath. In that
ally before thawing the semen. This is accomplished case, 54% of them used paper towel, 28% tissue, 13%
through manual palpation of the genital tract and a water, and 5% used antiseptic water.

Table 1: Effect of number of years of practice on the number of AI per year

Number AI per year ≤ 200 200-400 >400 Total

≤ 5 years (n= 105) 21.9a (47) 19.5b (42) 7.4c (16) 48.8
>5 years (n=110) 7.4a (16) 16.3b (35) 27.5c (59) 51.2
Total (n=215) 29.3 35.8 34.9 100

Data have different superscript letter within the same row were statistically different (P<0.001). The values in the
parenthesis indicates the effective of inseminators.
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Table 2: Frequency of responses of practices performed before AI
Method of diagnosis oestrus Uterin tone Uterin tone/Follicle Uterin tone/Follicle /
Mucus

Frequency of responses (n = 179) 44% (78) 43% (77) 13% (24)

% of females not heat at the time

of AI
≤10 11-20 >21
Frequency of responses (n = 204) 65% (133) 25% (50) 10% (21)

Table 3: Frequency of responses of practices performed at the time of AI

Method of thawing Air Water Warm-Water

Frequency of responses (n = 212) 10% (22) 10% (22) 80% (168)

Semen deposition Uterine body Uterine horns Both methods

Frequency of responses (n = 218) 74% (161) 15% (33) 11% (24)

Table 4: Frequency of responses of practices performed after AI

Diagnosis pregnancy Manual Ultrasonography Both methods

Frequency of responses (n = 214) 73% (156) 5% (10) 22% (48)

Period of manual diagnosis (days) 40-60 61-90 > 90

Frequency of responses (n = 205) 9% (19) 65% (134) 26% (52)

Period of ultra -sonographic diagnosis 30-40 41-60 > 60

(days)
Frequency of responses (n =58) 55% (32) 45% (26) 0% (0)

When AI was performed by 74% of inseminators one in two inseminators diagnosed pregnancy. Preg-
in the uterine body (Table 3), the majority of them nancy was diagnosed in 73%, 5% and 22% by manual
pressed lightly on gun at the time of AI and withdraw palpation, ultrasonography, or both the methods, re-
it slowly in order to avoid harming the genital tract. spectively. Manual diagnosis is done often (65%) dur-
Most of them (91%) performed a slight uterine mas- ing the 3rd month following AI. Ultrasonographic di-
sage rather than clitoral stimulation (19%). For 90% agnosis also takes place 30 to 40 days after AI (55%),
of them, AI was performed in less than 5 minutes. compared to 41 to 60 days after (45%) (Table 4). The
gestational stage was confirmed in 95% of cases.
Practices applied following AI
Following AI, many inseminators filled the AI cer- In 58% of the cases, inseminators who performed
tificate (73%), recorded the date of AI in the register more than 200 AI per year used a computer to record
(68%), and advised the breeders to monitor the return data (p<0.05). Many of them (75%) recorded infor-
of heats (100%). In the event of non-return of heat, mation relating to the parameters and pathologies of
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the reproduction. follicles greater than 10 mm in diameter is more pre-
cise if it is done through ultrasonographic rather than
When asked if completing this survey motivated manual palpation (Pieterse et al., 1990). The manual
them to reflect on their AI practices, one out of two palpation of follicles<10 mm can be inaccurate and
respondents entirely agreed, 13% moderately agreed, depends on the overall size of the ovary, the degree of
25% moderately disagreed, and 12% disagreed entire- relaxation of the rectal wall, BCS, and competence of
ly. This survey indicated that they would like to pursue the examiner (Hanzen et al., 2000). It is important to
training in the following areas: reproduction monitor- note that many inseminators are inadequately trained
ing (26%), postpartum pathologies (18%), ultrasonog- to examine the genital tract and ovaries despite the
raphy (22%), nutrition (18%) and mammary health significant number of transrectal palpations practiced
(16%). daily (Lopez-Gatius, 2000). The survey revealed that
after control of oestrus, 65% of Inseminators respond-
DISCUSSION ents estimated that less than 11% of females were not
in heat, and a quarter of them estimated that percent-
This survey of 223 inseminators revealed that 69% age was between (11-20%). Various rates of insemi-
of them practiced AI during natural heat 12 hours nated females with a high level of milk progesterone
after the onset of oestrus, which should be normal- have been reported such as 19% (Sturman et al., 2000)
ly observed by the breeder. The conception rate can and 40% (Nebel et al., 1987).
be maximized by choosing the right time for AI in
relation to onset of oestrus. Approximately 12 hours Thawing semen in warm-water (35-38°C) for 40 sec-
after the onset of oestrus is therefore considered op- onds is the most commonly used thawing procedure
timal timing for AI (Saacke, 2008). The traditional reported by our inseminators (80%). A significant in-
AM/PM, PM/AM rule: cows first seen in standing crease in the conception rate (35 vs. 27%) was report-
heat in the morning (AM) would be inseminated in ed when thawing occurred in warm-water (33-35°C)
the afternoon (PM) and those observed standing in as opposed to air (Dejarnette and Marshall, 2005).
the evening (PM) would be bred in the next morning Kaproth et al. (2005) also reported a significant in-
(AM), remains the most effective way in farms with crease (66.1 vs. 62.4%) in the fertility rate when thaw-
best oestrus detection (DeJarnette et al., 2004). ing is done in warm-water 35°C for 30 seconds com-
pared to pocket-thaw.
The majority (92%) take the estimated BCS into con-
sideration at the time of AI. Three quarters of insem- Few of those surveyed (36%) used a protective plas-
inators estimated that a BCS ≤ 2 has a negative effect tic sheaths as a preventive measure against possible
on fertility. Several authors have reported the negative contamination of the genital tract. A study conducted
effect of an inadequate BCS (< 2.5) at the time of AI by Bas et al. (2010) concluded that using a protec-
on the success of AI1 or the pregnancy rate (Pryce et tive sheath significantly increases the pregnancy rate
al., 2001). According to Loeffler et al. (1999), a BCS (42.7 vs. 36.1%) and furthermore reduces contamina-
of 3 at the time of AI ensures a better pregnancy rate. tion of the AI gun by 40% (61.53 vs. 100%) compared
Most inseminators (89%) have examined the repro- to the control group. On the other hand, King et al.
ductive tract at the time of AI in order to ensure that (1984) concluded that the use of a protective sheath
they inseminate cows when they are truly in heat and does not increase AI conception rates.
exclude those who are not ready for AI. A precise
manual diagnosis of oestrus can be made following This study revealed that inseminators preferred
a transrectal examination of the reproductive tract depositing semen in the uterine body as opposed to
(Lopez-Gatius and Camon-Urgel, 1991). According the uterine horns (74 vs. 15%). This is due in part to
to Lopez-Gatius (2011) follicular palpation is closely the training they received from CNIAAG, which has
related to the success of AI. Forty-three percent of the through its teaching traditionally promoted the uter-
inseminators responded that they confirm oestrus by ine body as the ideal insemination site. Several stud-
palpating the uterine tone and the follicle, which are ies have reported significant increases in conception
both considered to be significant indicators of success- rates during a cornual inseminations compared to the
ful AI (Loeffler et al., 1999). A diagnosis of ovarian uterine body, such as (64.6 vs. 44.7%, Senger et al.,
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1988) and (30 vs. 19%, Mc Kenna et al., 1990). In of heat, which is the ideal time for AI. Examining the
contrast, no significant difference in conception rates oestrus state remains an important procedure usually
between cornual inseminations and those performed practiced by our inseminators before each AI, but the
in the uterine body (Momont et al., 1989). Neverthe- sound practice of transrectal palpation as a means of
less, specialized training in the technique of deep AI confirmation (the uterine tone, follicular palpation)
is necessary (Lopez-Gatius, 2000). was not readily taken into consideration. Procedures
relating to the thawing process, semen deposition,
The majority of inseminators massage the uterus fol- uterine massage, as well as duration of the AI were
lowing AI instead of stimulating the clitoris (91 vs. widely followed. Despite their numerous advantages,
19%) in an effort to stimulate contractions of the the protective plastic sheaths, cornual AI and clito-
uterus and encourage sperm to move along the gen- ral stimulation following AI were rarely used. Unfor-
ital tract. A study conducted by Lunstra et al. (1985) tunately, despite the possibility of early diagnosis of
showed that clitoral stimulation following AI increas- pregnancy through ultrasonography, many insemina-
es the pregnancy rate of 15%. Bozkurt et al. (2007) tors rely on manual confirmation of pregnancy.
reported that clitoral stimulation has no effect on the After considering these results, we recommend the
pregnancy rate. following: i) training for dairy breeders on detection
means and identification of characteristics of an ani-
Insemination usually takes place in less than 5 mal in heat. ii) Retraining and awareness sessions for
minutes. This duration has no significant relation- inseminators regarding transrectral examination of
ship with the number of annual AI (p>0.05). Time the genital tract and deep AI. iii) Use of protective
duration between thawing and semen deposition sheaths as a preventive measure. iv) Slightly massag-
(4.2±0.17vs.5.8±0.22min) was reported by technicians ing the clitoris after each AI. v) Using ultrasonogra-
and inseminators/breeders, respectively (Dalton et al., phy to diagnose early pregnancy and assess fertility
2004). A maximum period of 10 to 15 min between potential in dairy cattle.
thawing and semen deposition would be acceptable
in terms of fertility on condition that the straw be ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
kept at an ambient temperature (35°C) and that strict
hygiene be maintained during AI (Dejarnette et al., The authors thank all the CNIAAG staff and insemi-
2004). nators for their help in completing this study.

Many of the inseminators confirmed pregnancy in CONFLICT OF INTEREST

more than half of the inseminated livestock, usual-
ly by manual palpation. However, this inexpensive The authors declare that they have no conflict of in-
method can only be used after the 6th, even 9th week terest.
of gestation (Hanzen et al., 1991). Ultrasonograph-
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