Data Sheet 1_Efficiency of laparoscopic artificial insemination in goats: impact of laparoscopic insemination sheath needle design.pdf

IntroductionLaparoscopic artificial insemination (LAI) is widely used in goat breeding, yet the influence of sheath needle design on reproductive outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of three different LAI sheath designs (IMV, Minitube, and TLRI) on pregnancy rate, kidding rate, and average litter size in Alpine does.
MethodsA total of 300 Alpine does (2–3 years old) were enrolled in two experiments. In Experiment 1, does were inseminated into either the middle-horn (M-H) or the horn-body junction (H-BJ) of one uterine horn using each of the three sheath types. In Experiment 2, the IMV and TLRI sheaths were used to deposit semen either unilaterally or bilaterally. Pregnancy rate, kidding rate, and average litter size were recorded for all treatment groups. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
ResultsIn Experiment 1, overall pregnancy rates with TLRI and IMV sheaths were significantly higher than with the Minitube sheath (p < 0.05) regardless of site. The lowest kidding rate occurred with the Minitube sheath at the H-BJ site (p < 0.05), while the highest was observed with the TLRI sheath at the M-H site (p < 0.05). No significant differences in kidding rate or average litter size were found among the remaining groups (p > 0.05). In Experiment 2, there were no significant differences in pregnancy rate, kidding rate, or average litter size between unilateral and bilateral inseminations using either the IMV or TLRI sheath (p > 0.05).
DiscussionThese findings demonstrate that both TLRI and IMV sheath designs outperform the Minitube sheath in terms of pregnancy and kidding rates, particularly when targeting the M-H site. Moreover, unilateral insemination with these sheaths does not compromise reproductive performance and offers a time-efficient alternative to bilateral deposition. Adoption of optimal sheath designs and insemination strategies can enhance LAI efficiency and success in goat breeding programs.

引言：腹腔镜人工授精（Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination, LAI）目前已广泛应用于山羊育种领域，但外套管针头的设计对繁殖结局的影响尚不明确。本研究旨在评估三种不同LAI外套管设计（IMV、Minitube及TLRI）对阿尔卑斯母山羊妊娠率、产羔率及平均窝产仔数的影响。
方法：本研究共纳入300只2~3岁的阿尔卑斯母山羊，分为两项实验。实验1中，分别使用三种外套管，将精液注入单侧子宫角的中间段（M-H）或角体连接处（H-BJ）。实验2中，采用IMV及TLRI外套管，分别进行单侧或双侧子宫角输精。记录所有处理组的妊娠率、产羔率及平均窝产仔数，设定统计学显著性阈值为p<0.05。
结果：实验1结果显示，无论输精位点如何，使用TLRI及IMV外套管的整体妊娠率均显著高于Minitube外套管（p<0.05）。在H-BJ位点使用Minitube外套管时，产羔率最低（p<0.05）；而在M-H位点使用TLRI外套管时，产羔率最高（p<0.05）。其余各组间的产羔率及平均窝产仔数均无显著差异（p>0.05）。实验2中，无论使用IMV还是TLRI外套管，单侧输精与双侧输精的妊娠率、产羔率及平均窝产仔数均无显著差异（p>0.05）。
讨论：本研究结果表明，TLRI与IMV两种外套管设计在妊娠率与产羔率方面均优于Minitube外套管，尤其是在M-H位点输精时。此外，采用此类外套管进行单侧输精并不会降低繁殖性能，且相较于双侧输精更为省时高效。选用最优的外套管设计与输精策略，可提升山羊育种中LAI的实施效率与成功率。