Low Cost AI With Frozen Ram

The aim of this project was to seek improvement of the function of frozen ram semen so that it can be effectively used in cheaper, less invasive cervical artificial insemination (AI) programs, to improve the current rate of conception using frozen thawed semen in cervical AI from 20% to 70%. The project has characterised important alterations to spermatozoa that result from ejaculation and cryopreservation. In doing this, it has provided a more complete context to understanding why epididymal, ejaculated and frozen thawed ram spermatozoa perform differently in vivo. In addition, studies have exploited important elements from seminal plasma to prevent injurious changes to ram spermatozoa during cryopreservation and improve their fertility. Further work is required to comprehensively understand many of the relationships described, and to develop a robust field solution to improve fertility following cervical deposition of frozen-thawed ram spermatozoa.