Group: Transcervicale insemination Engels

Bringing an endoscope into a bitch is a simple pain free procedure which most bitches do not object to and offer no resistance. It is not necessary to sedate the bitch for this procedure. The chance of developing an infection after bringing in an endoscope is almost nihl when performed under strict sanitary conditions. One must take into consideration that there are always bacteria in the vagina and in the uterus which can cause an infection.

Taking into consideration that all dogs have the same anatomy it is possible to perform transcervical insemination in all breeds of dogs. One must take into consideration that with smaller breeds that an endoscope has to be used that is also smaller in size that can be passed through the vagina.

The video camera is attached to a television. With this method the veterinarian can determine where the endoscope is located in the reproductive tract. This allows the veterinarian to pass a catheter through the cervix. The owner of the bitch can also view the entire process on the television.

The endoscope can also be used during the estrus cycle in order to determine as to how the estrus hormone  is progressing. By regularly examining the change in structure of the cervix the endoscope can be an aid together with the use of progesterone testing. The endoscope can also be used to detect abnormalities in the reproductive tract as well as reproductive diseases.

In Sweden a study was done by Prof C. Linde-Forsberg (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Swedish Univeristy of Agricultural Sciene, Uppsula Sweden) i which the conception rate and the litter size were examined with the use of fresh, chilled and frozen semen using vaginal as well as transcervical insemination.

The results are as follows (from 2041 inseminations):

Semen Type	conception % with vaginal insemination	conception % with transervisal insemination
Fresh	47.8	65.2
Chilled	45.1	65.6
Frozen	34,6	52.0

 

Semen Type	Average litter size % vaginal insemination	Average litter size % transcervical insemination
Fresh	5.8 +/- 2.8 pups	6.5 +/- pups
Chilled	5.8 +/- 3.0 pups	6.4 +/- pups
Frozen	4.7 +/- 2.6 pups	5.0 +/- pups

Reference: Professor C. Linde –Forsberg. Intra-Uterine Insemination in the Dog Using the Scandinavian Trans-Cervical Catheter and a Comparison with other Methods. Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden. Publisher: Recent Advances in Small Animal Reproduction P. W. Concannon, G. England and J. Verstegen (Eds.). 02.02.2001. International Veterinary Information Service (www.ivis.org), Ithaca, New York, USA.

Transcervical insemination can be used for the following indications:

• frozen semen
• chilled semen
• semen obtained from dogs with a reduced fertility
• the bitch has a high progesteron value

The endoscope is brought into the vagina of the bitch and with the help of a camera it is guided to the cervix. Once the endoscope has reached the cervix, the veterinarian is able with the help of the video camera to find the opening of the cervix. Once the opening is found the catheter can be carefully brought into the cervix and passed through the passage of the cervix into the uterus
Once this is done is it possible to deposit the dog’s semen into the uterus. The semen is put into a syringe which is attached to the catheter. The semen is then carefully injected into the uterus.

This is true but there are several roads that lead to Rome. This is also applicable with regards to artificial insemination in which there are also different methods involved. In most veterinary practices the dog’s semen is deposited in front of the cervix. This means that the sperm cells still have to pass through the cervix in order to enter the uterus.

Transervical insemination is a method in which semen is deposited directly into the uterus. This is done with the use of an endoscope. A catheter is attached to the endoscope allowing it to be able to be passed through the cervix into the uterus. With the use of a video camera it is possible for both the veterinarian and the owner of the bitch to watch the insemination.

During a natural mating, the dog’s semen is deposited in the vagina of the bitch. From this point the sperm cells have to travel to the cervix and also pass through the cervix. Once in the uterus the sperm cells are able to come into contact with the ovulating follicle cells released by the bitch. A long journey in which few sperm cells survive.

Transcervical insemination is a method in which the semen is transferred immediately into the uterus, thereby eliminating this long journey. It is an alternative in comparison to that of the regular artificial insemination in which the semen is deposited in front of the cervix.