Artificial Insemination (AI) Instruments

Artificial insemination (AI) instruments are specialized veterinary tools used to facilitate the breeding process in livestock, particularly cattle and buffaloes.

These instruments—such as AI guns, vaginal speculums, rectal gloves, and cervical dilators—help ensure accurate and hygienic insemination.

Cassou’s AI Gun

Cassou’s AI gun is made of high-quality stainless steel and is used for artificial insemination (AI) in cows and buffaloes.

It is available in three specifications: 0.25 ml, 0.5 ml, and universal. The basic design features a stainless-steel barrel with a flange at the top for the plunger finger grip, along with a stainless-steel inner rod (plunger) that also has a flanged top for thumb operation.

The most popular design is the O-ring style, which refers to how the insemination sheath is affixed to the gun.

Vaginal Speculum

Vaginal speculum made of high-quality stainless steel with two blades (Duckbill type). It is 13.5 inches long overall and 1 inch wide at the tip. It screws open to about 7 inches wide.

Straw Holding Forceps

Straw holding forceps used for holding and transfer of straws from LN2 container for thawing. Safe handling of straws thus prevents fluctuations of temperature of straws.

Rectal Gloves (Full Arm)

Rectal gloves (full arm) are made of Polyethylene (PE) or Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE). They are designed to ensure safety and hygiene for both the examiner and the animal during veterinary procedures.

AI Sheath

Disposable AI sheaths are thin plastic tubes that slide over the barrels of artificial insemination guns, serving the purpose of seating the semen straw and holding it in place during the AI procedure.

Centering and holding the straw in place is accomplished by two basic methods, depending on the sheath style, either with the inner tip of the sheath or by use of sliding an insert within the barrel of the sheath. Both methods are designed to keep the straw centered and affixed at the tip of the sheath so that ejection of the semen occurs properly.

Slit sheaths are designed to use with the O-ring style gun. The green insert indicates a slit style sheath.

Cervical Dilator

Cervical Dilator made out of stainless steel or aluminum alloy. Diameter 6 mm, 45 cm long with a 4 mm tapered tip to an end diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 mm.

In embryo transfer programme, it is used to dilate the cervix of the donor cow during diestrum in order to pass the Foley catheter for embryo flushing.

In cows and buffaloes, it is used to dilate the cervix in order to pass the Foley catheter to perform tubal patency test.

Stylet

The stylet is made of stainless steel and measures 44 cm in length. It has a diameter of 2 mm at the base, tapering to 1 mm at the tip. The stylet is inserted to the full length of the Foley catheter to make it sufficiently rigid, allowing for easy introduction into the uterus under rectal guidance.

Hauptner Heat Detector

Hauptner heat detector is used to determine the optimal time of insemination. It has two high sensitive ring electrodes of refined steel.

To check the optimal time of insemination, insert the probe into the vagina and press it slightly to the wall till any resistance.

Withdraw the probe about 2 cm and hold the tip to the bottom of the vagina where most mucus is available.

Hold the unit still and press the button ON:

After use, clean the probe with warm water and disinfectant and then under running cold water. Finally, dry it with disposable towel.

Cervical Forceps

Cervical forceps is used to retract the cervix to aid in retraction of a pendulous uterus. One jaw is inserted into the external os, the other external to the cervical os.

The instrument can also aid in passing a catheter through the cervix when the latter is large and far forward.

Pedometer

Pedometer used for estrus detection aid-to find the animal in estrum. The pedometer is attached to the fore/hind legs above the fetlock. The distance shown in the pedometer indicates the animal is in estrus.

Thawing Flask

The thawing flask is used for thawing frozen semen straws prior to artificial insemination. The recommended thawing temperature is 38.5°C to ensure optimal sperm viability.

Chin Ball Marker

Chin ball marker are estrus detection aid used for detecting estrus in cows It contains a dye and will be attached below the chin or between the lower jaws of the teaser animal.

When the teaser animal mount on oestrus animal, by pressure, the dye will be spread over the back of the oestrus animal.