Visual Guided Cervical Insemination in Alpine Goat: assessing the impact of insemination position and volume by using electrical resistance in vaginal mucus values

Cervical artificial insemination (CAI) in goats exhibits several challenges due to the complexity of the cervix, the need for technical expertise and semen handling, and optimal estrus timing. These factors could have impact on the efficacy of artificial insemination (AI) in small ruminants. Recent advancements in AI in small ruminants, using visual guided artificial insemination (VGAI) combined with proper positioning and determining electrical resistance values of vaginal mucus (ERVM), could improve the accuracy and success rates for CAI. The present study aims to evaluate the use of ERMV, the different insemination positions, and the effect of insemination volume (200 µL vs. 400 µL) using a constant total sperm number (200 × 10⁶ spermatozoa per dose) by a visually guided applicator to improve the effectiveness of CAI The results of the present study indicate that ERVM measurements for goats were significantly decreased at 24- and 48-hours (P<0.05) following sponge removal, coinciding with estrus detected by the teaser buck, confirming its effectiveness in timing. Also, there was a significant reduction in back leakage (P < 0.001) and increases in pregnancy (57% vs. 26%) and birth rates (P < 0.03) in hindquarters positioning compared to the normal. Additionally, the 200 mL insemination volume yielded the highest pregnancy rate (83%) in the hindquarters position.

These findings showed that using ERVM can effectively guide the timing of AI, and that the hindquarters insemination position applied with VGAI enhances reproductive success, but no significant correlation was observed between ERVM values and fertility outcomes.