getting started in the ai system: rams selection and management
DESCRIPTION
Presented by Mourad Rekik, ICARDA, at the EIAR-DBARC-ICARDA-ILRI (LIVES)-FAO Training Workshop on Reproduction in Sheep and Goat, Debre Berhan, Ethiopia, 13-15 October 2014TRANSCRIPT
Getting started in the AI systemRams selection and management
Mourad Rekik
EIAR-DBARC-ICARDA-ILRI (LIVES)-FAO Training on Reproduction in Sheep and Goat, Debre Berhan,
Ethiopia, 13-15 October 2014
Synopsis
Framework
1. Sire selection
Areas of sire selection: genetics – conformation – sexual -
health
Management of sires in the AI centre: nutrition – prophylaxis
– training on sperm collection – boosting of sexual potential
Management of sires during the AI campaign
Culling of AI sires
2. On farm data collection, record keeping and
valorisation
What needs to be recorded
Flow of the data and potential recipients
If not within a genetic improvement programme
Forget about AI-Too expensive-Laborious- Success rates are not always rewarding
Sire Selection
(1) GENETICS
• Selection base: Performance recording scheme (milk, meat, wool, fibre)
• Spot elite flocks• Genetic evaluation• Avoid mass selection
Accurate estimation of breeding values according to selection objectives
Milk
Sire Selection
(2) CONFORMATION
A good ram should have:• Good size and bone• forceful and active• Standing square on all four feet
Broad muzzle
Straight back
Thick chest
Deep hindquarters
Have a good fleece
The ideal Ram
Sire Selection
(3) SEXUAL
• Check for integrity of sexual organs• Good scrotal development• The bigger the testicles, the more sperm
produced.
Sire Selection
(4) HEALTH
• General clinical exam by a specialized vet• Blood sampling and lab serology for major
prevalent contagious diseases and sexually transmitted diseases
• No decision to move to the AI centre prior to the lab results
Breeding Examination
1. Testicles should be firm and springy, not hard, soft or spongy.
2. Testicles should slide freely within scrotum.
3. The epididymis (at the bottom of each testicle) should be very firm and prominent.
4. If you have doubts about lumps in testicles, epididymis or spermatic cord, consult your vet.
Testicles
Management of the sires in the AI centre
• Allow weaning stress in the farm before moving to AI centre
• Good respect of hygiene and housing conditions in the AI centre
• Feed according to requirements (satisfactory growth rate when young)
• Feed 110 % of the maintenance requirements when adult; introduce green forages in the diet
• Vet inspection every 3 months or when needed (clinical exam, deworming, vaccinations…)
• Allow some exercice
Management of the sires in the AI centre
• Start training on semen collection during breeding season
• Never use electroejaculator
• Train in presence of an induced female, by the same persons, in the same conditions (calm, no stress…)
• Train twice a week (2 ejaculates per training session)
• If inseminations are carried out out of season: boost sexual activity (photoperiod houses, Melatonin pre-treatment)
Insérer diapos sur les résultats de notre entrainement (convention avec OEP), l’effet de la photopériode (cours)
Evolution en fonction du jour de collecte de la concentration et du nombre total de spermatozoïdes dans les éjaculats
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5500
6000
15/3
17/3
19/3
21/3
23/3
25/3
27/3
29/3
31/3 2/
44/
46/
48/
410
/412
/414
/416
/418
/420
/422
/424
/426
/4
Jour de collecte
Sp
z (1
000)
Concentration (1000spz)/mlSpz totaux (1000)
Période de réalisation des inséminations
Management of sires during the AI season
• Maintain nutrient allowances to 110-120 % of maintenance requirements
• Avoid any stressing interventions (shearing, vaccinations…)
• Put to service all available rams (genetic purposes, spread of the semen production load, be patient with reluctant individuals)
• Cull 1/3 of the rams every year (reduce inbred matings: sire – daughter; valorise genetic progress accumulated in the field)
On farm data collection, record keeping and
valorisation
What needs to be recorded
• Everything that can help :
(1)to track down pedigrees for a precise genetic evaluation,
(2) to identify factors and reasons of success or failures of artificial insemination
• Farm• Location• Flock• Date of sponge insertion (technician in charge)• Date and hour of sponge withdrawal and eCG
injection (technician in charge, dose of eCG)• Date and hour of start of inseminations
(inseminator in charge)
• Ewe identification (age)• Sire identification (all sires of the AI centre
must be evenly used in all flocks)• Reintroduction of rams in the flock• Return to oestrus???• Outcome of pregnancy diagnosis• Lambing date (litter size)
Flow of the data and potential recipients
Farmer
Performance Recording Centre
Calculation of breeding values – classification of animals
Selection teams
AI centre
- Genetic Improvement authority- University
Best if composed of farmers, technicians and vets
Thank you