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Artificial insemination in cattle and buffalo

Artificial insemination (AI) using frozen semen is the central technology for genetic improvement of Indian bovines. By dissociating the male's reproductive contribution from physical mating, AI lets a single proven sire breed thousands of cows annually, accelerates upgrading of non-descript stock with improver breeds and reduces transmission of venereal diseases.

Principle

Semen from selected bulls is collected, evaluated, diluted in a cryoprotectant extender, packaged in straws and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196 degC. At the farmer's doorstep, a trained technician thaws a straw and deposits semen into the cow's uterus during oestrus using a sterile insemination gun. Conception is confirmed by absence of return to heat and, later, by rectal palpation or ultrasonography.

Implementation in India

AI delivery is anchored in the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in December 2014. The scheme created a doorstep cadre of Multipurpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs); 38,736 MAITRIs had been trained and equipped by 2024. The stated target is to raise national AI coverage from about 30% to 70% of the breedable bovine population. RGM has run alongside an overall rise in national milk production from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 239.3 million tonnes in 2023-24.

Adoption context

AI is universally used in organised dairying with exotic and crossbred cattle such as Holstein Friesian Crossbred Cow and Jersey Crossbred Cow. It is also used to upgrade indigenous breeds including Sahiwal Cow, Ongole Cattle and Punganur Cow. Sexed semen is increasingly available to bias progeny toward heifer calves.

Limitations

Buffalo conception rates per insemination are lower than in cattle because of silent heat, short oestrus duration and behavioural cues that are harder to detect, so farmers commonly fall back on natural service for heavy buffalo cows (Murrah Buffalo, Jaffrabadi Buffalo). Adequate semen quality, correct heat detection and clean insemination technique are essential; poor practice can also spread reproductive infections such as brucellosis (Brucellosis Cattle).

See also: Dairy Shed Design, Desi Cow Natural Farming, Mastitis Dairy.

References

  1. Rashtriya Gokul Mission. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
  2. Operational Guidelines for MAITRIs under Rashtriya Gokul Mission. DAHD.