Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences

ANSC 362

Artificial Insemination ('AI') of Farm Animals

Spring, 1999

Announcements

!!! GRADES ARE POSTED !!!!
(as of 6.2.99)

Congratulations Grads !!!!

Hope everyone has a great Summer.

SWINE AI
Special Laboratory in ANSC 362

Instructor: Mr. Mike Carroll (AU-ANSC)

(overview of swine AI)
Related web sites recommended by Dr. Frank Owsley are linked below.

Pork at Purdue (swine reproduction)

United Swine Genetics

Universal Pig Genes, Inc

New: ReproTech Update 10
(link to conference homepage below)

"International Molecular Farming Conference"

Web links on this site provide a 'virtual' tour of worldwide activities in both private and public sectors related to this rapidly emerging bioagricultural field.
To check them out, click the double helix!

New: ReproTech Update 11
(link to press release: Click the ball)
(Also See: ReproTech Update 12)

"Green Glowing" Transgenic Mice
Created using Sperm-Mediated
Gene Transfer.

New: ReproTech Update 13
(link to press release: Click ball)

Cloned sheep has 'old' DNA
(tales from telomerase)

Instructor: Dr. Frank F. Bartol

(Click pic for homepage)

Office: Room 240 Upchurch Hall
(Office hours by appointment)
fbartol@acesag.auburn.edu

Phone/voicemail: 844-1506

Course Prerequisites:
ANSC 361 (Physiology of Reproduction) or equivalent (contact instructor if unsure).

Weekly Schedule:
Lecture: 12:10-1:00 pm, Tuesdays. HWLSP classroom.
Laboratories: 1:10-3:00 pm. or 3:10-5:00 pm. Tuesday & Thursday. HWLSP (unless indicated otherwise).

Credit hours: 2 quarter hours

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of ANSC 362 the successful student should:

Understand the physiological bases of modern technologies used to control reproductive events in farm animals.

Be able to demonstrate a practical working knowledge of the rectovaginal technique for AI of cattle.

Be able to describe practices needed to maintain equipment used in AI and to insure that semen quality is optimized.

Be familiar with regulations of the major cattle breeds for use of AI.

Be familiar with the organization of the AI industry.

Have experience with handling and restraint of cattle in confined space.

Grading & Evaluation Procedures:
Performance in ANSC 362 will be evaluated based upon results of both written and practical examinations. There will be no unannounced quizzes. The relative importance of scheduled examinations and their projected dates are listed below.
                                                 Projected Exam Dates
Written Mid-term Exam............35%      Tuesday, May 4*
Written Final Exam...................35%      Tuesday, June 1
Practical Final Exam.................30%      Tuesday, June 1**

* Date for mid-term may change pending class discussion.
** In accordance with guidelines for 2h classes, the final examinations will be administered on the last official class day.

Final grades will be assigned based on a 10 point scale (90-100 pts = A, 80-89 pts = B, 70-79 pts = C, 60-69 pts = D, <60 pts = F).

General Information
Attendance: To insure successful completion of this course, students are strongly encouraged to attend all scheduled lectures and laboratory periods. However, attendance is not mandatory.

Textbook: There is no textbook requirement for ANSC 362. Students will find the text used in ANSC 361 very helpful for review of reproductive anatomy and basics of reproductive endocrinology. [Senger PL. Pathways to Pregnancy and Parturition. 1997. Current Conceptions, Inc. Pullman, WA. (ISBN 0-9657648-0-X)]

Equipment: The laboratory component of this course involves intense, hands-on activities with cattle, as well as demonstrations involving student contact with both swine and horses. Equipment necessary for animal handling and AI procedures will be provided. Students will be expected to provide their own protective clothing and footware. Light weight cotton coveralls are encouraged, as are leather boots with reinforced toes. Students will also be asked to provide paper towels, to be used for animal and equipment clean-up. Details will be covered at the first class/lab meeting.

Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty is an offense that will be reported to the Academic Honesty Committee in accordance with the “Tiger Cub”.

Special Accommodations: Any student needing special accommodations should make their concerns known to the instructor and contact the Director of the Program for Students with Disabilities haynemd@mail.auburn.edu, located in Haley Center.

Senior Assistants - 1999: Senior Lab assistants in ANSC 362 have completed both ANSC 361 and ANSC 362, were invited to assist with instruction of this class, and will receive academic credit (ANSC 490) for their efforts. These students have demonstrated technical proficiency in and general knowledge of bovine AI and reproductive biology of farm animals, as well as a desire to contribute to your learning experience. They will be available to assist you with development of AI skills during laboratory periods and will coordinate many laboratory exercises. Next years Senior Assistants will be chosen from among students currently enrolled in ANSC 362.

General Topic Outline*

Week 1:
What do you know? (Pre-Test: Review of ANSC 361 - Take home review).
Introduction: History & Perspective.

Week 2:
Sexual behavior and factors affecting male libido.

Week 3:
Semen: Collection, evaluation, processing and handling.
Frozen Semen: Handling and storage considerations.

Week 4:
The optimal fertile period: Timing insemination.

Week 5:
Estrus detection and introduction to estrous synchronization.

Week 6:
Estrous synchronization

Week 7:
Facilities and equipment for A.I.

Week 8:
The business of A.I.: Purebreds and paperwork.

Week 9:
Artificial control of reproduction: Future prospects.

Week 10:
What do you know now? - Written & Practical Final Examinations (Tuesday, June 1, 1999).

*NOTE: Some topics may be presented by guest speakers. Consequently, this schedule may be modified slightly to accommodate visitors schedules.

Laboratory Activities:
Laboratory activities will focus on skill development. Skills to be emphasized will include: cattle handling and restraint, rectovaginal palpation of the bovine reproductive tract, handling and maintenance of bovine AI equipment, handling liquid nitrogen and frozen semen, and the rectovaginal procedure for bovine AI. Other skills to be reviewed will include swine AI, equine AI and estrous synchronization in cattle. The final practical will examine student skill level in areas emphasized during laboratory activities.