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