Artificial insemination in dromedary camels

Artificial insemination (AI) is an important technique in all domestic species to ensure rapid genetic progress. The use of AI has been reported in camelids although insemination trials are rare. This could be because of the difficulties involved in collecting as well as handling the semen due to the gelatinous nature of the seminal plasma. In addition, as all camelids are induced ovulators, the females need to be induced to ovulate before being inseminated. This paper discusses the different methods for collection of camel semen and describes how the semen concentration and morphology are analyzed. It also examines the use of different buffers for liquid storage of fresh and chilled semen, the ideal number of live sperm to inseminate and whether pregnancy rates are improved if the animal is inseminated at the tip of the uterine horn verses in the uterine body. Various methods to induce ovulation in the female camels are also described as well as the timing of insemination in relation to ovulation. Results show that collection of semen is best achieved using an artificial vagina, and the highest pregnancy rates are obtained if a minimum of 150×10(6) live spermatozoa (diluted in Green Buffer, lactose (11%), or I.N.R.A. 96) are inseminated into the body of the uterus 24h after the GnRH injection, given to the female camel to induce ovulation. Deep freezing of camel semen is proving to be a great challenge but the use of various freezing protocols, different diluents and different packaging methods (straws verses pellets) will be discussed. Preliminary results indicate that Green and Clear Buffer for Camel Semen is the best diluent to use for freezing dromedary semen and that freezing in pellets rather than straws result in higher post-thaw motility. Preservation of semen by deep-freezing is very important in camelids as it prevents the need to transport animals between farms and it extends the reproductive life span of the male, therefore further work needs to be carried out to improve the fertility of frozen/thawed camel spermatozoa.