New Ovine Laparoscopic Equipment At New
Bolton Center
Dr. Regina Turner
KENNETT SQUARE (Chester Co.) The
Georgia and Philip Hofmann Center for Reproduc
tive Studies at New Bolton Center has acquired
new, state-of-the-art Ovine Laparoscopy equip
ment. This allows the Center to offer laparoscopic
artificial insemination and embryo transfer to small
ruminant patients.
Laparoscopic artificial insemination in sheep and
goats currently is the preferred method for breeding
these small ruminants with frozen-thawed semen.
Using the laparoscope, semen is deposited di
rectly into the uterine horn, thus placing the sperm
in close proximity to the site of fertilization. This in
creases the chances for pregnancy, particularly
when dealing with small numbers of sperm (as is the
case with frozen semen).
Before an animal can undergo this procedure, her
estrous cycle must be synchronized with hormones.
This allows ovulation to be very exactly timed. At
around the time of ovulation, the procedure is per
formed.
The ewe may or may not be sedated and a local
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anesthetic is injected at the surgical site.
The ewe then is suspended by her hind legs in a
specially-designed cradle. This position helps to
insure that the rumen and intestines are not in the
way of the surgery.
A small hole (usually less than a centimeter) is
made through the animal’s body wall and into her
abdomen. The laparoscope is inserted through the
hole. The uterus and ovaries generally are easy to
see through the laparoscope.
Once the reproductive tract has been identified, a
second, similar hole is made into the abdomen and a
small insemination instrument containing the
semen is passed through the hole.
The surgeon then can watch through the laparo
scope and guide the insemination instrument to the
uterus where a small needle at the end of the insemi
nation instrument is used to puncture into the
uterus. Semen then is injected directly into the ute
rine lumen.
The instruments are withdrawn and the small
holes are closed with one suture each. In the hands
of an experienced surgeon, the entire procedure can
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