Difference between non-surgical ET and AI

[JSchroeder]

If a person is capable of spotting the corpus luteum pretty easily, how much different is the process for non-surgical embryo implanting than AI?

I realize the cervix is tighter and you have to get the gun in the correct horn.  What other differences are there?

 

[DL]

This is really probably a Cowboy type question, but the process is basically the same except one must maintain a higher degree of cleanliness and most vets use an epidural blockprior to implantation ----

 

[Cowboy]

A-I versus ET -- a very good question fairly easily answered.

Number one -- Dexterity is an all time must -- this takes alot of FEEL if you will.

In A-I, very seldom do I  (Most of us as well) worry about using sterilized sheaths and covers for them. Good diligence will get the job done quite well with out introduction of material into the vaginal and cervical canals. Deposition of semen is at the target site called the Ascerix (Forward end or taper), and that is as far as you would go with an A-I gun.

In ET, first of all you must palpate or ultrasound for a funtional CL on one of the ovaries, this takes a fair amount of practice. After the CL is located and graded, an epidural is usually given, I know I always use one for my transfers, some do not.

An embryo loaded into a 1/4 ml straw and placed in a sterile sheath with protector is then inserted into the vagina like A-I. Once you reach the cervix, a gentle tug on the cover will let the gun thru and then can be placed thru the cervix as usual.

Once thru the cervix, you must negotiate your way into the selected horn by gently bi-passing the bifurcation (Flap of skin dividing the horns internaly) Care must be taken not to cause trauma here. If you divide the uterus from the cervix to the fallopian tubal junction into 4 parts, your transfer target is within the 3rd section forward of the cervix. This is about 6-8 inches PAST where you normaly deposit semen in most cows. Keeping in mind that you must straighten the uterin horn ahead of the gun and prevent puncture or pressure trauma, you slide up to the transfer point while holding the horn straight, and gently deposit the embryo alot like you would semen.

Cause for concern -- bacterial introduction and trauma. Any blood or bruising of the transfer site will in most cases prevent pregnancy.

I remember in the beginning that I personally transfered almost 50 eggs before getting the first pregnancy -- but remember back in the early 80's we had much less technology that today -- but the bottom line is that it iwll take considerable practice for most people to get good at it. I wouldn't call it hard to learn so much as it just takes alot of practice!

Sorry for the long reply -- and hope tht will answer your question as to the differences. There are several as you can see!

Terry

 

[JSchroeder]

Thanks a million.

You never need to apologize for going into depth.

 

[shorthorns r us]

so how big of a problem is it to poke a hole in that uterin horn?

 

[DL]

so how big of a problem is it to poke a hole in that uterin horn?

It could be a big career ending deal depending on the size of the whole, where it was, what was introduced, and what else was hit/punctured. You could end up with adhesions/infection in the uterus or the abdominal cavity . It could also not be a huge deal - cows have a remarkable ability to wall off infection - I think it would be something to be avoided like the plague or the effluent by the British labs

 

[shorthorns r us]

so how big of a problem is it to poke a hole in that uterin horn?

It could be a big career ending deal depending on the size of the whole, where it was, what was introduced, and what else was hit/punctured. You could end up with adhesions/infection in the uterus or the abdominal cavity . It could also not be a huge deal - cows have a remarkable ability to wall off infection - I think it would be something to be avoided like the plague or the effluent by the British labs

Hey dl,

that is an joke that i hope terry remembers.

thanks to my stupidity i ended up with a hole in my best cow's (champion heifers at two big state fairs) uterus.  thanks to cowboy i now have 28 eggs in my tank.  he saved my tail on that one.

listen up folks; if you are within a days drive of sw nebraska, he needs to be flushing your donors!

 

[DL]

so how big of a problem is it to poke a hole in that uterin horn?

It could be a big career ending deal depending on the size of the whole, where it was, what was introduced, and what else was hit/punctured. You could end up with adhesions/infection in the uterus or the abdominal cavity . It could also not be a huge deal - cows have a remarkable ability to wall off infection - I think it would be something to be avoided like the plague or the effluent by the British labs

Hey dl,

that is an joke that i hope terry remembers.

thanks to my stupidity i ended up with a hole in my best cow's (champion heifers at two big state fairs) uterus.  thanks to cowboy i now have 28 eggs in my tank.  he saved my tail on that one.

listen up folks; if you are within a days drive of sw nebraska, he needs to be flushing your donors!

Hey SRU - probably not the last time Cowboy will save somebodies gluteus! Good job Terry  (clapping) (clapping)

 

[CAB]

  For anybody that reads these boards and has a cow that they think is good enough  to flush, I think that posting up a message that you are needing to catch a ride headed towards McCook, Ne. would be well worth trying to get your donors to Cowboy to have the work done right along without stressing your cow anymore than nessisary. Just my opinion. I wish that he could also put the embryos all in, but that would be harder to get done without having Terry find the recips. I'm not  into opening up my herd to a bunch of recips that I have no knowledge of health status. Cab

 

[Cowboy]

Thanks you guys for the nice comments, I was wonering if some one was talking about me today -- what hair I have left was sure standing up!!!!!! hehehehe

SRU --I hope Shaw is enjoying her long lost home, she was a real pleasure to have here -- no problems at all -- a real sweetheart to be around.

DL -- I can only attemp to save GLUTEUS if there are some to save, right now we are so low on donors, and have been, that I'll have to hope the light bill doesn't continue to go up!!!

CAB -- If I were to be able to find recips and then of course get them bought, believe me, the health of those cows later would never be an issue -- they are either good and clean or dead at my place! PERIOD

Thanks again for the nice comments folks -- much appreciated!

Terry

 

[Show Heifer]

Ditto on singing Cowboys praises! I took him not-so-young cows and came out with a bunch of eggs!
It really is worth the drive if you think you have cows worth flushing, and heck ya, cow-pool on a trailer would be a great way to cut expenses!!!

Hey, Cowboy dude, what's up????? I'll catch up with ya this weekend when I have time!!! ;D

 

[red]

I  know I've learned so much from Cowboy just by talking to him on the phone. The only thing I caution is that he does like to play w/ people's asses. Especially if the ass is a mule named Sally!

Sorry guys, had to throw that one in on you!

Red (lol)