STRAW INSEMINATION PROCEDURES

1
CHAPTER 5
STRAW INSEMINATION PROCEDURES
2
Super Kit

• Tweezers Inseminating Syringe
• Isopropyl Alcohol Paper Towels
• Lubricant Gloves
• Safety Glasses Electronic Thaw Monitor
• Cito Thaw or Straw Thermos
• Cito Cutter or Straw Scissors
• Disposable Plastic Sheaths
• Plastic, Shoulder-Length Gloves

3
Cito Thaw vs Straw Thermos

• Cito Thaw
• Electronically Warms and Maintains Temperature
  Between 94 and 98 Degrees Fahrenheit
• Straw Thermos
• Vacuum Bottle That Holds Preheated Water Temp.
• Dial Thermometers Need to be Continually Checked
  and Calibrated

4
Accurate Thaw Temperature

• Always Double Check Water Temperature With
  Thermometer
• Temperature Should be Between 94 - 98 Degrees
  Fahrenheit (35 - 37 Degrees Celsius)
• Inaccurate Thaw Temperature Can Lead To
• Too High Dead Sperm
• Too Low Fewer Live Sperm
• Too Long at Warm Temp Fewer Live Sperm

5
Other Equipment

• Disinfectant
• Never Store in Your Insemination Kit
• Keep Away From Equipment That Will Contact Sperm
• Will Quickly Kill Sperm
• Pail and Scrub Brush with Disinfectant
• Used to Clean Footwear Before Leaving Farm
• Liquid Nitrogen Refrigerator
• Stores Semen at -320 Degrees Fahrenheit (-196
  Degrees Celsius)

6
Insemination Procedure

• Use These Steps in Conjunction with Chapter 4,
  Finding the Inseminators Target, to Properly
  Inseminate Your Cow or Heifer

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Step 1

• Have a Good Animal Identification System
• Helps You Keep Accurate Insemination Records
• See Chapter 6 for Several Record Keeping Systems

8
Step 2

• Fill Cito Thaw With Cold Water
• Do Not Use Hot Water - May Cause Water to Over
  Heat
• Plug in Cito Thaw
• Red Light Will Appear Until Water is at Proper
  Temp.
• Green Light Comes on When Water is at Proper Temp.

9
Step 3

• Double-Check Green Light
• Use Provided Electronic Thaw Monitor
• Submerge for 10 Seconds or More
• Large Numbers Indicate Water Temperature

10
Step 4

• Using a Straw Thermos
• Fill With Warm Tap Water
• Read Thermometer for Temperature
• If Between 94 -98 Degrees Fahrenheit O.K.
• If Colder or Hotter Add Water to Adjust
  Temperature to Proper Level
• Will Only Hold Water at Correct Temperature for a
  Limited Time
• Frequently Check Dial Thermometers to Ensure
  Accurate Thawing
• Recalibrate Dial Thermometers Frequently

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Step 5

• Thawing Semen Straw
• Most Semen is Packaged in .25 and .5 Milliliter
  Straws
• They Are 5 1/2 Inches Long, Easy to Use and
  Convenient to Store
• Thaw For at Least 30 Seconds but Not More Than 15
  Minutes.

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Step 6

• Always Place Cito Thaw/Straw Thermos Next to
  Refrigerator.
• Reduces Time Straw is Exposed to Air Temperature
• Cover Thaw Unit As Soon as Transfer is Complete

13
Semen Temperature

• Temperature Rises Quickly When Exposed to Air
• Reaches Critical Zone in Less Than 15 Seconds
• Critical Zone Sperm Damage if Recooled

14
Thawing Method Effect

• Never Thaw ABS Straws in Your Pocket, in the Air
  or in the Cow
• Thawing Rate is too Slow
• Reduces Sperm Cell Survival and Fertility

15
Effect of Holding Thawed Semen

• Never Hold Thawed Semen For More Than 15 Minutes
• Holding Longer Reduces the Number of Live
  (Motile) Sperm

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Step 7

• Straws are Stored in Liquid Nitrogen
  Refrigerators
• Straws are Packaged in an ABS Patented Rack or
  Goblet
• Bull Number is Printed on Top of Rack or on a Rod
  Inserted in the Goblet

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Step 8

• Dont Leave Canister in Neck of Refrigerator to
  Long
• Canister Holds Semen Racks Inside Refrigerator
• Neck Tube is Relatively Warm
• Leaving Canister in Neck Too Long Can Lead to
  Sperm Damage

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Step 9

• When Not Using Refrigerator Make Sure it is
  Secure
• Liquid Nitrogen is as Dangerous as Boiling Water
• Lock up Tank to Prevent Possible Injury to
  Children and Others

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Step 10

• Uncap Refrigerator and Quickly Locate Canister
  That You Want
• Lift Handle Out of Index Ring
• Remove Only As Far As Needed to Pick up Desired
  Straw Rack
• Keep Below Top of Refrigerator Neck Tube

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Step 11

• If You Cant Locate the Correct Rack in Under 10
  Seconds Re-Lower Canister Into Liquid Nitrogen
  for 10 to15 Seconds
• If Liquid Nitrogen Boils or Emits Vapors When
  Canister is Lowered Youre Holding it in the Neck
  Tube To Long

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Step 12

• As you Lift the Canister Place the Handle Between
  Your First and Second Fingers
• Have your Palm Towards the Refrigerator
• Hold the Canister Handle Against the neck Tube
• Your Thumb Will be Free

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Step 13

• With Your Free Gloved Hand, Reach Into neck Tube
  and Pick Up Desired Rack
• Raise Rack Far Enough to Reach Uppermost Straws
• Grasp Rack Between Thumb and Fore Finger

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Step 14

• With Specially Designed Tweezers Lift Straw
  Straight Out of Rack
• Do NOT Bend the Straw Because it Could Break
• Quickly Place Straw in Thaw Water
• Lower Rack and Canister
• Recap Refrigerator

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Step 15

• Remove Straw From Cito Thaw/Straw Thermos
• Dry it With a Clean Paper Towel
• Prevents Water Droplets From Contaminating Semen
  and Killing Sperm
• Always Use a Paper Towel When Handling Straws

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Step 16

• Double-check Bull Identification Number on Straw
• Record Sire Number and Collection Code on Cow
  Card
• Take Care to Not Expose Straw too Long

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Syringe Types
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Step 17

• Adjust Air Space in Straw
• Eliminates Semen Loss When Cutting Straw
• Slightly Flick Your Wrist While Holding Straw at
  the Crimped End

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Step 18

• Cut off Crimp-sealed End with Specially Designed
  Cito Cutter or Straw Scissors
• Cut Through Center of Straws Air Space
• Cut Straw Square (Straight Across)
• Never Cut at an Angle

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Step 19

• With Spiral Syringe Use Unsplist Sheaths With
  Plastic Adapters
• Insert Cut End of Straw Into Adapter
• Hold Sheath Just in Front of Adapter Between
  Thumb and Fore Finger
• Gently Push and Twist Straw Until it Enters
  Adapter

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Step 20

• Continue Pushing Straw and Adapter Into Sheath
  Until Only Cotton-Plug End is Outside of Sheath
• Do Not Bend Straw

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Step 21

• Pull Back Syringe Plunger About 5 Inches
• Place Sheath Containing Straw Over the Syringe
  End
• Slowly Push Sheath Over the Barrel
• Straw Goes Into the Syringe

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Step 22

• To Secure the Sheath to the Spiral Syringe -Screw
  the Sheath Onto the Syringe Until Adapter is
  Flush with Tip of Sheath
• Be Sure the Adapter is Fitted Firmly in the
  Sheath End

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Step 23

• Depress Plunger Slowly to Remove Air Space in the
  Outer End of the Straw
• Will Shorten Plunger
• Ensures Correctness of Sheath-syringe Assembly
• Dont Push too Far and Loose Semen

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Step 24

• O Ring Syringe
• Can Use Two Types of Sheaths
• Clear, Split-end with Green Adapter (Recommended)
• Clear, Split-end with No Adapter

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Step 25

• Loading Procedure Same for Split Sheath With
  Green Adapter as for Loading Spiral Syringe
• Insert Cut End of Straw Into Adapter
• Push Straw and Adapter Into Sheath
• Place Sheath With Straw Over Barrel
• Push Through the O Ring and Onto Expanded Barrel

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Step 26

• Secure Sheath Onto Expanded Portion of Barrel
• Slightly Twist O Ring Toward the Syringe Flange
  (Rim)
• Depress Plunger Slowly to Remove Air Space at
  Straw End

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Step 27

• Loading the O Ring Syringe and Sheath With No
  Adapter
• Pull Out Syringe Plunger 5 Inches
• Insert Straw, Cotton-plug End first, Into Open,
  Pre-cut End of Syringe Barrel
• About 1 Inch of Straw Will Remain Outside of
  Barrel

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Step 28

• Pass Open End of Sheath Over Tip of Straw
• Draw it Over Entire Steel Barrel
• Push Sheath Through O Ring and Onto Expanded
  Part of Barrel
• Expel Airspace From End of Straw

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Step 29

• Always Protect Syringe From Cooler Temps and
  Direct Sunlight
• Keep Loaded Syringe in Coveralls, Shirt or Jacket
• Body Heat Protects Semen From Temperature Extremes

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Step 30

• Put on Plastic, Shoulder-length Glove on Arm That
  Will Be Working in Cow
• Make Sure Its Stretched Completely up Arm and
  Fingers are Well-filled and Fairly Tight
• Have Two or Three Clean Paper Towels Opened In
  Your Pocket

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Step 31

• Pick Up Cows Tail and Move it Toward the Outside
  of the Arm that Will Enter the Cow
• Use Hand that Does Not Have the Glove
• Use a Paper Towel to Avoid Direct Contact With
  Manure and Genital Discharge

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Step 32

• With the Hand Outside the Cow, Wipe the Area
  Around the Vulva and Inside Lips With a New, Dry
  Paper Towel

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Step 33

• By Exerting a Slight Backward and Downward
  Pressure With the Wrist Inside the Cow, You Can
  Open the Vulva Lips to Make Syringe Insertion
  Easier
• Keeps the Syringe Clean From External
  Contamination

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Step 34

• When the Syringe Tip is on Target, Slowly Depress
  Plunger
• Should Take 5 Seconds to Completely Empty
  Inseminating Straw
• Be Sure to Push the Plunger Forward and Not Pull
  the Syringe Back Away From the Target

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Step 35

• After Semen is Deposited Slowly Withdraw the
  Syringe and Your Arm
• Release the Sheath Containing the Straw From the
  Syringe
• Hold it in Your Gloved Hand
• Peel Glove Down over Them

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Step 36

• Be Sure to complete the Breeding Record
  Immediately After Insemination
• Record Sire Identification and Collection Code if
  You Didnt Earlier
• Can Be Read Through Used Glove, But May Be
  Difficult

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Step 37

• After Completing the Breeding Record, Break the
  Sheath Inside the Glove
• Dispose of used Materials Immediately and
  Properly
• Never Reuse Gloves or Sheaths

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Step 38

• Clean Reusable Equipment After Each Cow/Heifer
• Syringe and Cito Cutter
• Rinse With Water if Necessary
• NEVER Use Disinfectants or Soaps
• Wipe the Syringe With 70 Ethyl or Isopropyl
  Alcohol
• Pay Special Attention to the O Ring and Upper
  Parts of Both Syringes

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Step 39

• Before Leaving Insemination Area, Always Discard
  Your Trash and Disinfect your Footwear and
  Bottom of Your Inseminating Kit with a
  Disinfectant
• Will Help to Prevent/Eliminate Disease Transfer
  From Farm To Farm or to Your Own Cattle

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Summary

• Equipment Needed For Proper Insemination
  Includes
• Insemination Kit Thawing Device
• Cito Cutter/Straw Scissors Syringe
• Sheaths Alcohol
• Paper Towels Lubricant
• Plastic, Shoulder-length Gloves Safety Glasses
• Gloves Pail Brush
• Liquid Nitrogen Refrigerator Disinfectant
• Semen Straws

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Summary

• When Ready to Inseminate
• Transfer a Single Straw From Refrigerator to Thaw
  Water Quickly
• Water Temp Must be Between 94 - 98 Degrees
  Fahrenheit (35 - 37 Degrees Celsius)
• Keep Straw in Water For at Least 30 Seconds, but
  No More Than 15 Minutes
• Make Sure Syringe is Properly Warmed Before
  Inserting Semen Straw
• Frequently Check Calibration of Thaw Water
  Thermometers

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Question 1

• Why is it important to check the insemination
  record first, before inseminating any cow?

To see if she had been inseminated before and
could be pregnant, or if her heat is on a normal
cycle.
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Question 2

• Why are frequent checks of the dial thermometer
  necessary?

The calibration can get out of adjustment,
resulting in a temperature too high or too low
for optimum semen recovery.
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Question 3

• Safety glasses and gloves should be worn each
  time you open a liquid nitrogen refrigerator.
  Why?

Glasses to protect from spitting nitrogen, or
straw exploding. Gloves to protect from nitrogen
burns.
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Question 4

• Will any thawing procedure (including pocket and
  air) work optimally for ABS straws?

No
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Question 5

• At what temperature must water be maintained for
  thawing ABS straws?

Optimum thawing is at a water temperature of 94
to 98 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Question 6

• How soon can you remove an ABS straw from the
  warm water thaw?

It takes 30 seconds for the semen to thaw
properly.
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Question 7

• What is the maximum length of time that an ABS
  straw should be left in the warm water thaw?

15 minutes
59
Question 8

• When youre looking for a straw from a specific
  bull, how high can you safely raise the canister
  in the refrigerator?

Just high enough in the neck of the refrigerator
to be able to read the numbers on the top of the
ABS Semen racks.
60
Question 9

• What is the time limit for holding a canister of
  semen in the refrigerators neck tube before
  possible damage will result?

10 seconds
61
Question 10

• Why is it important to warm and inseminating
  syringe prior to loading it?

To eliminate cold shocking the sperm cells.
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Question 11

• Describe the sheath or sheaths that can be used
  with the two styles of syringes.

Split sheaths for use with Oring Syringes.
Unsplit sheaths for use with Spiral Syringes.
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Question 12

• Is the procedure the same for loading all types
  of sheaths and syringes?
• Compare.

No
O Ring Syringe and sheath with no adapter Put
the straw in the syringe and pull the sheath into
place. If using a split sheath with a green
adapter you must seat the straw in the adapter
then insert the straw and pull the sheath in
place. With a spiral syringe the straw must be
seated in the white adapter and then inserted in
the syringe pulling the sheath down and screwing
it on.
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Question 13

• If the sheath youre using contains a plastic
  adapter, do you set the cut end of the straw in
  it first or do you load the straw in the syringe
  first?

You insert the cut end into the adapter first.
65
Question 14

• When youre working with your own animals or
  those of others, why should you be concerned
  about disinfecting footwear and equipment?

Disinfecting all footwear and equipment is
important in reducing/eliminating the transfer of
diseases from cow to cow and farm to farm.