Effect of timing of intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed semen on conception rates in ewes

The widespread use of artificial insemination (AI) in the United Kingdom sheep industry has been limited by the poor conception rates obtained after cervical insemination of frozen-thawed semen. The major problem in this respect is the impairment of sperm transport through the cervix, particularly when AI is used in conjunction with oestrus synchronisation. Previous studies (Killeen and Caffery, 1982; Maxwell, 1984) have indicated that a laparo-scopic technique for intrauterine insemination in ewes may overcome such limitations. At the moment, however, sufficient data on the optimum time of insemination and sperm doses required to maximise fertility in British breeds are not available. The present study was conducted to establish the optimum time of intrauterine insemination using frozen-thawed semen.