Transcervical
Insemination FAQ
Q: What is transcervical insemination (TCI)?
A: TCI is a technique in which a rigid endoscope is used
to locate the cervix and pass a catheter through it for intrauterine
insemination of frozen semen without the need for surgery.
Q: How is the technique performed?
A: An endoscope (essentially a tiny video camera) is passed
up the vaginal canal of a bitch and to the cervix. The inseminator
is able to watch the positioning of the catheter on a TV monitor
to which the endoscopic view is shown. The actual insemination
can be visualized, ensuring that the deposition of semen is
in the uterus and that minimal back flush occurs.
Q: Can all bitches be inseminated this way?
A: A vast array of breeds have been successfully inseminated
using TCI, even toy breeds.
Q: Is the technique safe?
A: The risk of trauma or infection is an important consideration.
Gentle and patient manipulation of the endoscope and catheter
should not cause a problem with the cervix or vaginal wall
unless a pathologic condition already exists. During estrus
and at the time of insemination, the vaginal walls are thicker
and less susceptible to trauma.
Q: Will the technique cause infections?
A: Bacteria can be routinely isolated from the uterus and
vagina during estrus without causing apparent problems. This
is likely due to the increased resistance to infection during
this time. Therefore, infections caused by this technique
are rare if proper sanitation of equipment and stringent quality
control are adopted.
Q: What results can be expected using this technique?
A: This technique provides intrauterine deposition of semen,
which is a vital part of frozen semen technology. Equally
important to the successful use of frozen semen are the timing
of the insemination, semen quality, and bitch fertility Results
from a trial comparing TCI techniques demonstrated that conception
rates of 83.3% and an average litter size of 7.5 were possible
in bitches of unknown breeding history.
Q: How does TCI compare to surgical insemination?
A: Both methods do the same thing by allowing deposition
of semen into the uterus. However, anesthesia is generally
not required for TCI, thus reducing risks to the bitch. Most
bitches actually tolerate this procedure very well. Materials
such as suture, surgical supplies, etc, are also not required,
reducing client costs. The time it takes to perform the procedure
is much less and the bitch can go home immediately after the
procedure.
Q: Why did we decide to start offering the TCI
technique?
A: The Abilene Animal Hospital has offered other areas of
breeding expertise such as semen cryopreservation, ovulation
timing, and surgical insemination. We feel that this technique
offers a safer, less invasive method to inseminate within
the uterus to achieve the same or better results without the
need and risks of general anesthesia and surgery.
Q: How did we get involved in TCI?
A:We recently acquired the endoscopic equipment and have
received specialized training in this technique from recognized
experts.
Q: What does this include?
A: This includes the general exam, semen thawing, semen examination
and assessment, vaginal cytology, and the TCI materials and
procedure.
Q: What is not included?
A: Progesterone testing and interpretation is not included.
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