Artificial insemination in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) using fresh semen extended by physical agitation for achieving liquefaction

IBRAHEEM KUTTY CHOLAKKAL

doi:10.56093/ijans.v89i1.86238

Authors

IBRAHEEM KUTTY CHOLAKKAL

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v89i1.86238

Keywords:

Artificial Insemination, Camel, Conception, Semen, Triladyl

Abstract

Artificial insemination (AI) is widely used in farm animals for efficient utilization of superior males. However, AI is not being used in camels due to various difficulties involved in the process. In an attempt to develop the technology in camels, the present study was carried out to assess the success rate of insemination using fresh semen mixed by physical agitation within the extender media for overcoming difficulties out of gel formation. The study
was carried out utilizing 3 males and 10 female Omani camels. Starting from November 2015, 109 semen ejaculates were collected and good quality ejaculates were extended using Triladyl or Tris sucrose based extenders. Ejaculates added with the extender were subjected to physical stirring for 30 sec using plastic straws to achieve mixing of the ejaculate gel. Female camels were scanned regularly for ovarian activity, ovulation was induced and AI done using fresh extended semen doses having at least 100 million motile sperms. Seventeen AI in three rounds resulted in 9 pregnancies giving an overall conception rate of 53%. First insemination conception rate was 50% and 80% of the
camels conceived at least by three AI. Various determinants of conception from AI in camels are discussed. It is concluded that insemination using fresh semen extended by physical agitation in Triladyl and Tris Sucrose extenders provided encouraging conception rate for developing AI technology in camels.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

IBRAHEEM KUTTY CHOLAKKAL

PhD Scholar, Department of ARGO, College of Veterinary and
Animal Sciences, Pookode, Kerala Veterinary and Animal
Sciences University, Wayanad District, Kerala.

References

Bravo P W, Skidmore J A and Zhao X X. 2000. Reproduction aspects and storage of semen in Camelidae. Animal Reproduction Science 62: 173–93. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00158-5

Deen A and Sahani M S. 2000. Preliminary attempts to collect and cryopreserve camel semen. Journal of Camel Practice and Research 7: 181–86.

Deen A, Vyas S and Sahani M S. 2003. Semen collection, cryopreservation and artificial insemination in the dromedary camel. Animal Reproduction Science 77(3/4): 223–33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-4320(03)00040-X

Deen A, Vyas S, Jain M and Sahani M S. 2004. Explanation of no or low sperm motility in camel semen. Israel Journal of Veterinary Medicine 59(1/2): 24–27.

Deen A, Vyas S and Sahani M S. 2005. Problems of artificial insemination in dromedarius camel—the failure of ovulation and entrapment of spermatozoa in gelatinous camel semen. Veterinarski Archiv 75(4): 293–301.

El-Hassanein E E. 2017. Prospects of improving semen collection and preservation from elite dromedary camel breeds. World Veterinary Journal 7(2): 47–64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5455/wvj.20170494

El-Hassanein E E, El-Bahrawy K A and Zagloul A A. 2010. Artificial insemination and ovulation induction in dromedary she-camel. Nature and Science 8(9): 203–07.

Kutty C I and Koroth A. 2012. Collection, evaluation, processing, and preservation of semen from Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Proceedings of the ICAR Satellite Meeting on Camelid Reproduction. August 2012, Vancouver, Canada. pp 57–60.

Kutty C I, Koroth A and Al-Sharifi S. 2016. Observations on semen collection and suitability of different modifications of the artificial vagina for dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Journal of Camel Practice and Research 23: 169–74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/2277-8934.2016.00029.1

Maiada W A, Allam E B, Abdalla A E, Zeidan B, Farouk M H and Abd El-Salaam A M. 2013. Morphological and histological changes in the camel testes in relation to semen characteristics during breeding and non-breeding seasons. Nature and Science 11(12): 129–37.

Medan S M, Gamal A, Zeidan E, Khalil M H, Khalifa H H, Abdel- salam A M and Abel-Khalik T M. 2008. Survival and fertility rate of cooled dromedary camel spermatozoa supplemented with Catalase enzyme. Journal of Reproduction and Development 54: 84–89. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1262/jrd.19124

Morton K M, Billah M and Skidmore J A. 2011. Effect of green buffer storage on the fertility of fresh camel semen after artificial insemination. Reproduction in Domestic Animals 46(3): 554–57. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0531.2010.01678.x

Morton K M, Billah M and Skidmore J A. 2013. Effect of sperm diluents and dose on the pregnancy rate in dromedary camels after artificial insemination with fresh and liquid stored semen. Journal of Camel Practice and Research 6: 49–62.

Skidmore J A and Billah M. 2006. Comparison of pregnancy rates in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) after deep intra- uterine versus cervical insemination. Theriogenology 66: 292– 96. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2005.11.013

Skidmore J A, Morton K M and Billah M. 2010. Unique strategies to control reproduction in camels. Society for Reproduction and Fertility 67: 467–74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7313/UPO9781907284991.036

Skidmore J A, Morton K M and Billah M. 2013. Artificial insemination in dromedary camels. Animal Reproduction Science 136: 178–86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.10.008

Tibary A and Anouassi A. 1997. Theriogenology in Camelidae. P 489. Ministry of Culture and Information, United Arab Emirates.

Tibary A, Fite C, Anouassi A and Sghiri A. 2006. Infectious causes of reproductive loss in camelids. Theriogenology 66(3): 633– 47. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2006.04.008

Wani N A, Billah M and Skidmore J A. 2008. Studies on liquefaction and storage of ejaculated dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) semen. Animal Reproduction Science 109(1–4): 309–18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2007.10.011