{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,29]],"date-time":"2026-01-29T21:45:49Z","timestamp":1769723149970,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"12","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,23]],"date-time":"2021-11-23T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1637625600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Animals"],"abstract":"<jats:p>In ovine species, transcervical artificial insemination (TCAI) is limited by the poor quality of frozen\u2013thawed semen and by the convoluted cervical lumen hampering the passage of inseminating devices. The aim of the study was to test the efficiency of three newly designed catheters with bent tips of 3.5 mm, 5.0 mm or 8.0 mm in terms of reproductive performances (experiment 1) and to compare the results of TCAI with the best performing catheter of experiment 1 to those obtained in ewes submitted to surgical incision of cervical folds (SICF) prior to insemination (experiment 2). The following parameters were assessed: time to pass the cervix; depth of cervical penetration; site of deposition of semen; pregnancy (PR); and lambing rates (LR). The results of experiment 1 indicated that the 5.0 mm tip catheter resulted in deeper and faster TCAI and higher PR and LR compared to 3.5 mm and 8.0 mm tip catheters (p &lt; 0.05). In experiment 2, TCAI with the 5.0 mm catheter did not differ from TCAI after SICF in terms of depth of semen deposition, time to pass the cervix, PR and LR (p &lt; 0.05). In conclusion, the use of a catheter that allowed transcervical uterine deposition of semen without excessive manipulation led to satisfactory pregnancy rates.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/ani11123348","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,25]],"date-time":"2021-11-25T04:01:28Z","timestamp":1637812888000},"page":"3348","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["The Design of a New Catheter for Transcervical Artificial Insemination in Ewes"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"Laura","family":"Falchi","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Maria Teresa","family":"Zedda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Salvatore","family":"Pau","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Mauro","family":"Ledda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Valentino","family":"Melosu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Clinica Ostetrica e Ginecologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Via Vienna n. 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Salvatore Pier Giacomo","family":"Rassu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Sezione di Scienze Zootecniche, Dipartimento di Agraria, Universit\u00e0 degli Studi di Sassari, Viale Italia n. 39, 07100 Sassari, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,23]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1225","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2005.02.017","article-title":"The anatomy of the sheep cervix and its influence on the transcervical passage of an inseminating pipette into the uterine lumen","volume":"64","author":"Kershaw","year":"2005","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1876","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2006.04.039","article-title":"Influence of breed and age on morphometry and depth of inseminating catheter penetration in the ewe cervix: A postmortem study","volume":"66","author":"Kaabi","year":"2006","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"211","DOI":"10.1016\/0378-4320(94)90069-8","article-title":"The depth of cervical insemination and site of intrauterine insemination and their relationship to the fertility of frozen-thawed ram semen","volume":"36","author":"Eppleston","year":"1994","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"50","DOI":"10.1262\/jrd.20062","article-title":"Fertility after different artificial insemination methods using a synthetic semen extender in sheep","volume":"55","author":"Hiwasa","year":"2009","journal-title":"J. Reprod. Dev."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"77","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cryobiol.2016.11.012","article-title":"Fertility response of artificial insemination methods in sheep with fresh and frozen-thawed semen","volume":"74","author":"Masoudi","year":"2017","journal-title":"Cryobiology"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"160","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2012.03.006","article-title":"Effect of site of deposition on the fertility of sheep inseminated with frozen-thawed semen","volume":"131","author":"Richardson","year":"2012","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"147","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(94)90671-5","article-title":"Transcervical artificial insemination of Australian Merino ewes with frozen-thawed semen","volume":"42","author":"Windsor","year":"1994","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1995","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2004.09.005","article-title":"Differences between Belclare and Suffolk ewes in fertilization rate, embryo quality and accessory sperm number after cervical or laparoscopic artificial insemination","volume":"63","author":"Fair","year":"2005","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pau, S., Falchi, L., Ledda, M., Pivato, I., Valentino, M., Bogliolo, L., Ariu, F., and Zedda, M.T. (2020). Reproductive Performance Following Transcervical Insemination with Frozen Thawed Semen in Ewes Submitted to Surgical Incision of Cervical Folds (SICF): Comparison with Laparoscopic Artificial Insemination. Animals, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/ani10010108"},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1111\/rda.13523","article-title":"Current challenges in sheep artificial insemination: A particular insight","volume":"54","author":"Alvarez","year":"2019","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"28","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2018.11.019","article-title":"Surgery on cervical folds for transcervical intrauterine artificial insemination with frozen-thawed semen enhances pregnancy rates in the sheep","volume":"126","author":"Pau","year":"2019","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"376","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2012.02.017","article-title":"The pattern of cervical penetration and the effect of topical treatment with prostaglandin and\/or FSH and oxytocin on the depth of cervical penetration in the ewe during the peri-ovulatory period","volume":"78","author":"Falchi","year":"2012","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.2527\/1992.70138x","article-title":"Exogenous oxytocin dilates the cervix in ewes","volume":"70","author":"Khalifa","year":"1992","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"568","DOI":"10.2527\/2001.793568x","article-title":"Oxytocin-induced cervical dilation and cervical manipulation in sheep: Effects on laparoscopic artificial insemination","volume":"79","author":"Stellflug","year":"2001","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2587","DOI":"10.2527\/1999.77102587x","article-title":"Estradiol-17 beta-oxytocin-induced cervical dilation in sheep: Application to transcervical embryo transfer","volume":"77","author":"Costine","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"927","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(90)90562-8","article-title":"Cervical dilation, conception rate, and concentrations of progesterone and estradiol-17B in postpartum ewes treated with porcine relaxin","volume":"34","author":"Akinbami","year":"1990","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1594","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2015.08.007","article-title":"Assessing the usefulness of prostaglandin E2 (Cervidil) for transcervical artificial insemination in ewes","volume":"84","author":"Bartlewski","year":"2015","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"767","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2006.10.012","article-title":"The effects of the prostaglandin E analogue Misoprostol and follicle-stimulating hormone on cervical penetrability in ewes during the peri-ovulatory period","volume":"67","author":"Leethongdee","year":"2007","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"271","DOI":"10.1016\/S0093-691X(99)00128-4","article-title":"A preliminary study on the usefulness of huIL-8 in cervical relaxation of the ewe for artificial insemination and for embryo transfer","volume":"52","author":"Croy","year":"1999","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2015.11.003","article-title":"Role of NO-cGMP pathway in ovine cervical relaxation induced by Erythroxylum caatingae Plowman","volume":"164","author":"Santos","year":"2016","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1685","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2010.07.008","article-title":"Intracervical application of hyaluronan improves cervical relaxation in the ewe","volume":"74","author":"Perry","year":"2010","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"32","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2009.06.001","article-title":"Lambing rates and litter size following carazolol administration prior to insemination in Kivircik ewes","volume":"118","author":"Turna","year":"2010","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"153","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2012.03.001","article-title":"Design and \u201cin vivo\u201d evaluation of two adapted catheters for intrauterine transcervical insemination in sheep","volume":"131","author":"Chamorro","year":"2012","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5263","DOI":"10.2527\/jas2017.1951","article-title":"Technical Note: A new device for cervical insemination of sheep\u2014Design and field test","volume":"95","author":"Ferrer","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Anim. Sci."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1361","DOI":"10.1016\/S0093-691X(02)01042-7","article-title":"Development of a new transcervical artificial insemination method for sheep: Effects of a new transcervical artificial insemination catheter and traversing the cervix on semen quality and fertility","volume":"58","author":"Lewis","year":"2002","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"993","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(90)90061-W","article-title":"A technique for transcervical intrauterine insemination of ewes","volume":"33","author":"Halbert","year":"1990","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1231","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(90)90041-Q","article-title":"Field evaluation of a technique for transcervical intrauterine insemination of ewes","volume":"33","author":"Halbert","year":"1990","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1439-0531.2008.01152.x","article-title":"The importance of interactions among nutrition, seasonality and socio-sexual factors in the development of hormone-free methods for controlling fertility","volume":"43","author":"Scaramuzzi","year":"2008","journal-title":"Reprod. Domest. Anim."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"125","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2008.10.002","article-title":"Lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA integrity of spermatozoa in relation to intracellular reactive oxygen species in liquid and frozen-thawed buffalo semen","volume":"114","author":"Kadirvel","year":"2009","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"18","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2020.10.038","article-title":"Ewe breed differences in cervical anatomy and cervicovaginal mucus properties: An international study","volume":"160","author":"Byrne","year":"2021","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"43","DOI":"10.1016\/j.anireprosci.2018.06.017","article-title":"Morphometry and depth of inseminating catheter penetration in prolific and non- prolific ewes at different ages: A post mortem study","volume":"196","author":"Allai","year":"2018","journal-title":"Anim. Reprod. Sci."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2019.05.044","article-title":"The fate of spermatozoa in the female reproductive tract: A comparative review","volume":"137","author":"Rickard","year":"2019","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1009","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(95)00065-G","article-title":"Factors influencing the success of transcervical insemination in Merino ewes","volume":"43","author":"Windsor","year":"1995","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"601","DOI":"10.1016\/0093-691X(94)90377-U","article-title":"Further development of a transcervical technique for artificial insemination in sheep using previously frozen semen","volume":"42","author":"Buckrell","year":"1994","journal-title":"Theriogenology"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.1016\/j.theriogenology.2017.07.021","article-title":"Semen deposition by cervical, transcervical and intrauterine route for fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in the ewe","volume":"103","author":"Casali","year":"2017","journal-title":"Theriogenology"}],"container-title":["Animals"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/11\/12\/3348\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T07:34:47Z","timestamp":1760168087000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2076-2615\/11\/12\/3348"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,23]]},"references-count":35,"journal-issue":{"issue":"12","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2021,12]]}},"alternative-id":["ani11123348"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/ani11123348","relation":{},"ISSN":["2076-2615"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2076-2615","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2021,11,23]]}}}