Laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep and goats

Policy

Laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI) in sheep and goats is supported provided that appropriate animal welfare and animal husbandry requirements are met.

Laparoscopic AI should be carried out by a registered veterinarian. Lay operators should only perform this procedure under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

Background

AI of ewes with thawed semen via the vaginal or transcervical routes is unreliable. The use of a laparoscope to inject semen directly into the uterus is needed for reliable conception with thawed semen.

Laparoscopic AI in sheep and goats is an invasive procedure that involves the use of prescription animal remedies. It requires high standards of asepsis and analgesia to ensure that the welfare of the animal is not compromised.

Guidelines

The following guidelines should be observed for laparoscopic AI in sheep and goats:

• Where state or territory regulations allow laparoscopic AI to be conducted by lay operators, the supply of restricted drugs to the lay operator for use in the program must be strictly in accordance with the relevant state or territory drug laws.
• The procedure must be conducted using effective sedation, analgesia and aseptic technique, for the welfare of the animal.
• The procedure must be performed in an environment deemed by the supervising veterinarian to be suitable for such a procedure.
• Only healthy nonpregnant ewes or does should be used.
• Animals that have been shown to possess genetic defects should not be used in normal breeding programs. This does not preclude breeders specifically selecting ewes with traits that are commonly called genetic defects (eg black wool) for use in their specific programs.
• Accurate and verifiable records must be maintained in accordance with relevant state or territory artificial breeding regulations.
• Veterinarians and lay operators using these techniques have a responsibility to maintain and update their knowledge of advances in the field.

Other relevant policies and position statements

• Embryo collection and embryo transfer

Date of ratification by AVA Board 1 May 2004