LAPAROSCOPIC INSEMINATION OF SEASONALLY ANESTROUS EWES BY A SIMPLIFIED METHOD UNDER FIELD CONDITIONS

In this study a new, simplified method of inseminating ewes laparoscop ically is reported. Semen was intraluminally deposited with a needle a nd without any fixation of the uterine horns. A total of 73 anoestrus ewes, synchronized with progestagen vaginal sponges and PMSG, were ins eminated with diluted fresh semen. Seventy-one per cent of them lambed 150 days later. Seventeen ewes, synchronized by the same hormonal tre atment were mated naturally, achieving a lambing rate of 59% Due to th e small number of mated ewes the differences were not statistically si gnificant (p < 0.1), but a tendency to better results following intrau terine insemination when compared with natural mating was observed. Si gnificantly higher lambing rates following deposition of semen into bo th uterine horns (bilateral insemination) as opposed to into only one randomly chosen horn (unilateral insemination) (p < 0.05) was also obs erved. It is concluded that the simplified laparoscopic technique for bilateral intrauterine insemination represents an effective, cost-and time-saving method of achieving high efficiency in sheep reproduction.