Studies of gel with immobilized semen by intrauterine endoscopy post-artificial insemination

Abstract

An extended lifespan of spermatozoa following artificial insemination (AI) can make the timing of insemination less critical, as previously demonstrated with immobilized spermatozoa that are gradually released from an alginate gel. The purpose was to examine the in vivo dissolution of SpermVital (SV) alginate gel over time by endoscopy and secondly to assess spermatozoa quality after incubation of the gel. In vivo endoscopy showed SV gel in the uterus 3, 6, 20 and 24 hr after AI, demonstrating the potential release of spermatozoa to the uterus during this period. In utero ex vivo incubation of the semen demonstrated that high motility and viability of sperm cells was sustained following overnight incubation.

Keywords: artificial insemination; cattle; endoscopy; immobilized spermatozoa.