WO2007125548A1

WO2007125548A1 - An insemination device for breeding animals, in particular sows.

Info

Publication number: WO2007125548A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francisco Josè ARVELO FERNANDEZ
Original assignee: Iside S.R.L.
Priority date: 2006-04-27
Filing date: 2006-04-27
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: CN101460112A

Abstract

The device comprises: a support (2) for engaging a vaginal canal of an animal, the support (2) extending from a proximal end (1b) of the device (1), which proximal end (1b) is associable to a uterine cervix of the animal, to a distal end (1c) of the device (1), the support (2) also affording an outlet opening (5); at least a deformable container (3), associated to the support (2) and internally defining at least a chamber (4) for containing semen, the chamber (4) being in fluid communication with the outlet opening (5). The deformable container (3) at least partially envelops the support (2) and is deformable between a full configuration of the chamber (4), in which the chamber (4) contains the semen, and an emptying configuration of the chamber (4), in which it releases a flow of the semen through the outlet opening (5) following a depressive action on the chamber (4) caused by uterine contractions of the animal, the deformable container (3) not being elastically deformed at least in a full configuration of the chamber (4).

Description

Description AN INSEMINATION DEVICE FOR BREEDING ANIMALS, IN PARTICULAR SOWS.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a device for artificial insemination in livestock, in particular sows, and therefore falls within the field of devices used to perform artificial fertilisation operations in pigs. Background Art As is known, insemination in domesticated livestock herds, including pigs, is of crucial importance as the management of insemination has important reflections on the fertility of the animals used for reproduction and therefore the number of births. Planning insemination enables precise and systematic monitoring of births and fertile seasons of each individual animal. Natural insemination by mounting, for example pigs with sows, exhibits various drawbacks, among which the substantial difficulty of precisely controlling the dates of the mounts and predicting birth dates.

For this reason devices have been developed which are dedicated to the realisation of artificial insemination, in particular in the field of pigs. These devices comprise a catheter which is insertable in the vaginal canal of an animal and which exhibits a specially shaped head which blocks at the uterine cervix of the animal, thus preventing accidental dislodging of the catheter. Further, these devices are associable to known means for supplying semen, generally contained in single-dose sachets. Exit of the semen from the sachets can occur by the operator's squeezing the sachet or by force of gravity. The semen is thus conveyed from the catheter towards the cervix.

These devices are generally single-use, but there are also some which can be re-used after sterilisation.

A disadvantage of the above-described devices is that they exhibit the drawback of not eliminating backflow phenomena of the semen towards the outside following insemination, especially with manually-operated devices. If the operator exerts excessive pressure when squeezing the sachet, too much semen is pumped towards the cervix; excessive quantities of semen may cause backflow externally of the vaginal canal. Also, the maximum fertility point in artificial insemination operations is obtained when the insemination is performed immediately prior to ovulation, for example from 8-12 hours up to 24 hours before ovulation in the case of pigs. It is therefore difficult to estimate precisely the moment of ovulation.

On average, ovulation occurs during a biologically variable period during the whole season, and the duration of the ovulation actually varies according to many parameters, among which for example the nature of the individual animal and its age.

In relation to the above, WO9848731 describes an artificial insemination device comprising a catheter, containing internally a reserve of pressurised semen and a cap made of a gelatinous material located at the exit hole of the catheter. The cap reaches a melting point when exposed to a temperature corresponding to the body temperature of the animal during the fertile period.

Upon insertion of the device into the vagina of the animal, after a few minutes the cap melts and the semen exits. A drawback of this device, which acts according to the cap melting temperature, is that the semen is expelled under pressure at the cervix independently of whether the animal is exhibiting the contractions typical of receptivity.

This means that there can be no certainty of having successfully impregnated the sow; plus there may be other errors.

The main aim of the present invention is thus to obviate the above-cited drawbacks.

The main aim is therefore to provide a device for artificial insemination of animals, especially sows, which acts in the presence of uterine contractions, i.e. at the moment of highest fertility of the sow.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular sows, which prevents the occurrence of backflow phenomena of semen towards the outside, during or following an artificial insemination operation. A further aim of the invention is to provide an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular sows, which is as little invasive as possible towards the animal, with respect to her state of health and her own physiological needs.

These aims and others besides, as will emerge in the description that follows, are attained by an artificial insemination device for animals, in particular sows, which has the characteristics described in claim 1 and/or in one or more of the dependent claims.

Disclosure of Invention

A preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: figure 1 is a perspective view of an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular sows, according to the invention; figure 2 is a view in section of a portion of the device of figure 1; figure 3 is a view in section of a further portion of the device of figure 1. With reference to the figures of the drawings, an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular sows, is denoted in its entirety by 1. As shown in figure 1, the device 1 develops in an overall X shape, and is shaped such as to engage with the vaginal canal of the sow. Figure 1 also shows that the device 1 exhibits a central portion Ia having at opposite ends a proximal end Ib and a distal end Ic. In particular, the proximal end Ib is in an advanced position with respect to an insertion direction A of the device. The distal end Ic of the device 1 is located in a posterior position with respect to insertion direction A. The device 1 comprises a support 2 which develops prevalently along direction X and extends between the proximal end Ib and the distal end Ic of the device. In order to engage easily with the vaginal canal, the support 2 is flexible and preferably made of a plastic material, for example by extrusion. The device 1 further comprises at least a deformable container 3, associated to the support 2 and internally defining a chamber 4 for semen. The chamber 4 is of variable volume from a maximum to a minimum volume according to the state of deformation of the deformable container 3. The support 2, in proximity of the proximal end Ib of the device 1, exhibits an outlet opening 5 for outflow of semen, which outlet opening 5 is in fluid communication with the chamber 4. The deformable container 3 is thus deformable between a full configuration of the chamber 4, in which it contains the semen, and an emptying configuration of the chamber 4, in which a flow of semen is released through the outlet opening 5 due to the action of depression generated by the uterine contractions of the sow, as will be more fully described herein below.

The deformable container 3 advantageously at least partially envelops the support 2 in the prevalent development direction X of the device 1. In particular, the support 2 crosses the chamber 4 in such a way that the chamber 4 is externally delimited by the deformable container 3 and internally by the support 2. The support 2 is preferably entirely enveloped by the deformable container 3 along the development direction X of the device 1. In a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the accompanying figures of the drawings, the deformable container 3 comprises a deformable bag 6, which is constrained to the support 2 by means for hermetically closing, which prevent any exit of semen from the chamber towards the outside. Further, the bag 6, though deformable, is made in a non-elastically deformable material for an operative reason which will be described herein below. The bag 6 is preferably made of plastic, and is non-toxic and non-spermicidal. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the figures of the drawings, the support 2 comprises a tubular body 7 which extends from the proximal end of the device 1 to the distal end Ic thereof, and internally defines a conduit 8 for passage of the semen.

The conduit 8 of the tubular body 7 is preferably a through-passage and is associated to the outlet opening 5, and is in fluid communication there-with. Further, the tubular body 7 exhibits one or more through-holes, which place the chamber 4 in fluid communication with the conduit 8. These through- holes are preferably constituted by a plurality of through-holes 9 distributed along the entire length of the tubular body 7. The device 1 further comprises means for engaging 10, associated to the proximal end Ib of the device 1 and defining a stable insertion position of the device 1 internally of the vaginal canal of the animal. Preferably the means for engaging 10 comprise a head 11, illustrated in detail in figure 2. The head 11 is defined by a first truncoconical terminal tract 11a and a second cylindrical initial tract 1 Ib. A first plurality of tabs 19a develops radially at the first terminal tract 11a. A second plurality of tabs 19b develops radially at the first terminal tract 1 Ib. The first terminal tract 11a and the second initial tract 1 Ib are separated by a narrowing of section l ie from which an annular projection 20 develops. The head 11 is rigidly constrained to the support 2, preferably by a friction coupling, and internally affords a through-passage 1 Id which is in effect the outlet opening 5.

The special conformation of the head 11 causes engagement thereof to a portion of the animal's uterine cervix, in order to prevent accidental slippage of the device 1 from the vagina. The head 11 is preferably made of rubber.

The device 1 further comprises a hollow connector 12, preferably associated to the distal end Ic of the device, which connector 12 affords a supply opening 13 which engages with an external supply of semen of known type, and therefore not illustrated. In detail, as illustrated in figure 3, the hollow connector 12 comprises a cylindrical body 12a internally defining a passage 12b, which passage 12b creates a fluid connection between the conduit 8 and the supply opening 13, thus between the conduit and the external supply. This creates a fluid connection between the external supply and the chamber 4. The hollow connector 12 is also rigidly constrained to the support 2, preferably by means of a friction coupling, and exhibits means for gripping 14 for enabling an operator to grip the device firmly, as will be better explained herein below. The means for gripping 14 comprise a plurality of projections 15, preferably ergonomic, which are angularly distributed along an external development of the hollow connector 12.

Further, the hollow connector 12 is preferably made of rubber. The device 1 further comprises means for regulating 16 the flow of semen. It is important to note that following injection of semen into the sow's uterine cervix, there can be a backflow towards the outside. In more detail, the means for regulating 16 the flow comprise a no-return valve 17, preferably associated to the supply opening 13 and aimed at preventing any semen backflow from the proximal end Ib in the direction of the distal end Ic, and thus towards the outside. In a first embodiment, illustrated in figure 3 by a broken line, the no-return valve 17 comprises a manual closure 18 acting on a passage portion 12b of the connector 12. The manual closure 18 is preferably entirely supported on the connector 12 and has an open and a closed position.

In a second embodiment the no-return valve 17 exhibits a separator wall 21 located in the passage portion 12 and exhibiting at least an opening 22. During use, at least a proximal portion of the device 1 being kept in sterile conditions, and preferably the whole device being sterile, is inserted internally of the vaginal canal of the animal, with the head 11 being located at the sow's cervix. During this stage of the operation, the chamber 4 is empty. The central portion Ia and the proximal end Ib of the device 1 are preferably entirely inside the vaginal canal, while the distal end Ic is preferably positioned externally of the canal in order to enable the operator to keep a grip on the device 1.

Thereafter the device 1 and in particular the head 11 thereof is fixed in a stable position at the uterine cervix of the animal, in order that the head 11 engages stably with the walls of the cervix with the aim of preventing a tendency of the device to slip from the correct positioning thereof. The distal end Ic and in particular the hollow connector 12 are then connected to the external supply of the semen, which external supply sends a flow of semen internally of the conduit 8, which flow, through the passage openings of the tubular body 7, enters the bag 6, at least partially filling the chamber 4.

At this point the external supply is removed and the manual closure 18 is placed in the closed position. Alternatively, the presence of the separator wall 21 by itself prevents any undesired backflow of semen towards the outside. The deformable container 3 engages with respective walls of the vaginal canal of the animal and generates a flow of semen towards the outlet opening 5. In particular, the deformable container 3 deforms following the uterine contractions and during operation these contractions move the semen contained in the chamber 4 towards the conduit 8 through the through- passages of the tubular body 7. This is because the uterine contractions generate a depression which is transmitted to the chamber 4 through the outlet opening 5, and which draws the semen contained in the chamber 4 towards the conduit 8. The flow of semen which follows reaches the outlet opening 5 at the proximal end Ib of the device 1. The semen can therefore exit the device 1 and be deposited in proximity of the sow's uterus.

The deformable container 3, in detail, does not elastically deform at least when the chamber 4 is full, hi other words, at least when the chamber 4 is full the deformable container 3 is not in a deformed configuration. This prevents the deformable container's experiencing an elastic return, which would tend spontaneously to expel the semen contained therein without any regulation of the expulsion, with a consequently irregular and unregulatable functioning of the device 1. To realise this configuration, the deformable container 3 is preferably soft, and is preferably made of a material which is poorly elastically deformable, or undeformable.

Preferably, the deformable container 3 also does not elastically deform during the stage of receiving the depression impulses following the uterine contractions of the animal. The outlet opening 5 is always open, especially starting from the device 1 insertion stage into the vaginal canal and up to its removal therefrom. This is obtainable without closure devices or caps thanks to the fact that the deformable container 3 is made of a soft material, and therefore presents no elastic return. Also, the compression of the bag 6 and the consequent release of semen contained therein requires a period of time which is defined by various parameters, and which is in any case variable according to the animal and its condition. In particular, the animal must physiologically activate the device 1 by its contractions, which are involuntary and therefore not performed at the will of the sow. Thereafter the device can be manually and carefully removed from the pig's vaginal canal.

The invention offers important advantages.

Firstly, the device of the invention requires no external operations on the part of the operator except the initial supplying of the semen to the device, after which the device is inserted in the vagina. It is important to note that the operator sends the semen to the device, but not directly to the animal, as the semen is collected in the bag. It is the sow's own cervical contractions, which appear during the animal's fertile period, which cause the flow of semen by generating a depression in the bag 6. Thus insemination occurs upon the physiological prompting of the sow herself, and without external promptings such as the estimation of the operator based on his or her experience, perhaps the impatience of the operator or his sense of urgency in getting the job done quickly. This is possible, among other things, because the deformable container is not subject to elastic deformations when the chamber 4 is full and during the impulses that draw the semen from it; if this were not so the elastic return of the container would cause the immediate release of the semen, contrasting with the physiological needs of the animal. Further, the device of the invention is free from any need to correctly estimate the sow's fertile period, which is normally done by observing the immobile behaviour of the animal, but which often requires several attempts before insemination is achieved. With the invention, in the absence of contractions the semen remains inside the bag and is expelled only when the contractions occur naturally, the contractions being the symptom of heat in the animal. Finally the device eliminates the known and irritating effects of semen backflow towards the outside, which reduces the part of semen effectively active within the uterine zone as well as causing considerable loss of semen, with a consequent economic damage.

Claims

Claims.

1). An artificial insemination device for animals, in particular sows, comprising: a support (2) for engaging a vaginal canal of an animal, the support (2) extending from a proximal end (Ib) of the device (1), which proximal end

(Ib) is associable to a uterine cervix of the animal, to a distal end (Ic) of the device (1), the support (2) also affording an outlet opening (5); at least a deformable container (3), associated to the support (2) and internally defining at least a chamber (4) for containing semen, the chamber (4) being in fluid communication with the outlet opening (5); wherein the deformable container (3) at least partially envelops the support

(2) and is deformable between a full configuration of the chamber (4), in which the chamber (4) contains the semen, and an emptying configuration of the chamber (4), in which a flow of the semen is released through the outlet opening (5) following a depressive action on the chamber (4) caused by uterine contractions of the animal, the deformable container (3) not being elastically deformed at least in a full configuration of the chamber (4).

2). The device of claim 1, wherein the outlet opening (5) is always open.

3). The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the deformable container (3) is soft.

4). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the deformable container (3) comprises a deformable bag (6) which is constrained to the support (2) by a vacuum closure, the support (2) crossing the chamber (4).

5). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (2) comprises a hollow tubular body (7) internally defining a conduit (8) for passage of semen and associated to the outlet opening (5).

6). The device of claim 5, wherein the tubular body (7) extends from the proximal end (Ib) to the distal end (Ic) of the body.

7). The device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the conduit (8) is a through-conduit.

8). The device of any one of the preceding claims from 5 to 7, wherein the tubular body (7) exhibits one or more through-openings for creating the fluid connection between the chamber (4) and the conduit (8).

9). The device of claim 8, wherein the through-openings comprise a plurality of through-holes (9).

10). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a head (11), associated to the proximal end (Ib) of the device (1) and engaging with a portion of the uterine cervix of the animal, the head (11) exhibiting a through-passage (l id) associated to the outlet opening (5) in order to enable an outflow of semen contained in the chamber (4). 11). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (Ic) of the device (1) exhibits ergonomic means for gripping (14) which create a stable handle for an operator.

12). The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a supply opening (13) associated to the distal end (Ic) of the device (1) which supply opening (13) engages with an external supply of the semen.

13). The device of claim 12, wherein it comprises means for regulating (16) the flow of semen entering the device (1), the means for regulating (16) being associated to the supply opening (13).

14). The device of claim 13, wherein the means for regulating (16) the flow comprise a no-return valve (17) which prevents backflow of the semen from the proximal end (Ib) toward the distal end (Ic) of the device (1).

15). The device of claim 14, wherein the no-return valve (17) comprises a manual closure (18).

16). The device of claim 14, wherein the no-return valve (17) comprises a separator wall (21), located in a portion (12b) of the passage (12) and exhibiting at least an opening (22).

17). A process for artificial insemination of livestock animals, in particular sows, performed using the device (1) of one or more of the preceding claims, and comprising stages of: inserting at least a proximal part of the device (1) internally of the vaginal canal of the animal while the chamber (4) is empty; supplying semen to the device (1) by connecting the device (1) to an external supply of semen, filling the chamber (4) at least partially; waiting for the animal to physiologically activate the device (1), during which activation at least a part of the semen in the chamber (4) is released in proximity of the uterus of the animal following uterine contractions performed by the animal.