WO2015189442A1

WO2015189442A1 - Device for the artificial insemination of small ruminants via the cervix

Info

Publication number: WO2015189442A1
Application number: PCT/ES2015/000068
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rubén REBOLLAR RUBLO; Iván LIDÓN LÓPEZ; Juan José RAMOS ANTÓN; Luis Miguel FERRER MAYAYO; Della LACASTA LOZANO; Ángel Manuel MACÍAS LACARTA
Original assignee: Universidad De Zaragoza
Priority date: 2014-06-10
Filing date: 2015-05-28
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Also published as: ES2556215B1; ES2556215A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for the artificial insemination of small ruminants via the cervix, said device comprising a long hollow element (1) that narrows conically towards a first end with a rounded tip and an outlet (11), where said long element (1) has at least one second opening (12) on the side thereof. Said base (2) is cut off or flattened (21) on the side and has an inner channel (22) for the assembly of the insemination catheter. The device minimises the reflux of semen, adapts to the anatomy of the animal and minimises discomfort.

Description

DEVICE FOR ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY CERVICAL ROUTE

SMALL RUMENTS

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to devices for artificial insemination. More specifically, to those intended for small ruminants and who use the cervical route.

Background of the invention or State of the Art

Intrauterine insemination devices are known. For example, WO03084584A2 refers to an intrauterine insemination device that includes a modified catheter that incorporates a nozzle at one end and a previously wound or collected membrane inside the catheter. By the pressure applied by the semen to be deposited, it is unrolled extending deep inside the cervical tract. Once the membrane is unwound, its end yields to the pressure and breaks freeing the semen inside the uterus. It is a complex device that requires complicated maneuvers.

Other cervical insemination devices such as the QuickLock Injector for sheep and goats marketed by Minitube GmbH® or the IMV® Straight Catheter are known.

With the advancement of the device through the cervix, wounds are usually produced. To find the channel through which to advance and overcome the folds of the cervix, movements are usually made with the tip of the catheter, which in most of the existing devices is rigid and can damage the animal. The inflammatory reaction of these lesions, together with the possible exit of blood, releasing white blood cells that will act against the semen when considered a foreign body, which makes insemination less effective reducing the fertility rate. Apart from the lesions that may occur in such a sensitive area, the procedure described is slower and more annoying, thus generating stress in the animal with the release of cortisol and other corticosteroids. It It goes against the existing recommendations and regulations in favor of animal welfare, which are becoming increasingly important in society.

Brief Description of the Invention

In view of the limitations detected, it would be desirable to improve the fertility rate in artificial insemination procedures safely for the animal. Especially, in the case of small ruminants. It would be desirable to carry out a minimally invasive technique that avoids injuries and stress to the animal. The present invention proposes a device that manages to perform the insemination while also reducing the necessary amount of semen.

The device achieves a penetration deep enough to save the folds of the cervix. However, the device minimizes the possibility of injury.

To achieve these and other advantages, a device for artificial insemination by cervical route of small ruminants is proposed that includes a hollow longitudinal element that conically narrows towards a first end with a blunt tip and with an exit hole. Said longitudinal element has at least laterally another second hole. It also includes a base joined with the longitudinal element, said base has a recess or lateral flattening to facilitate the view of the inseminator and an inner channel for mounting the insemination catheter.

Preferably, the base of the device has a hemispherical shape that lacks a side cap.

Preferably, the inner channel for the insemination catheter is formed with the prolongation of the longitudinal element within the base. Preferably, the surface of the longitudinal element is smooth to facilitate introduction.

Preferably, the longitudinal element has two second holes laterally located on opposite sides. Preferably, the device is manufactured in one piece. Preferably, the device is manufactured by injection of plastic material. Preferably, the device that is disposable to avoid contagion.

Brief description of the figures

FIG. 1 shows an example of a device from below.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a device from above.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the figures, an embodiment of the invention is described. Without limitation, the embodiment is especially adapted to small ruminants, for example preferably sheep.

It is known that the sheep's cervix is composed of a series of irregular folds between which a small, non-aligned channel runs, which connects the vagina with the uterus and through which the semen should advance. These folds are arranged differently in each animal. In addition, the opening of the cervix to the vagina is protected by a structure, more or less triangular, called plica.

By the device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the insemination is minimally invasive since only the front part of the device is introduced, through the lance-shaped longitudinal element 1, preventing the outward reflux.

Upon inserting the catheter (not shown) into the device, the base 2, which is hemispherical about the longitudinal element 1, contacts and presses externally against the cervix. In turn, the base 2 has a lowered portion or lateral flattening 21 that has a double function. It helps the technician to improve vision during the maneuver. It also serves to save the cervical plica. This facilitates directing the catheter and placing it in the cervix saving the plica and leaving the neck sealed, so that only the longitudinal element 1 of the device is inserted into it, resulting in a non-invasive penetration. By arranging the device in addition to the end hole 11, two other holes 12 located laterally (5 mm from the end) it is achieved that, if any of them is covered by contact with a fold of the cervix, the semen can leave the remaining . The arrangement ensures that there is always some free hole for semen. Due to the small dimensions of these holes (0.5 mm - 2 mm) and the exit angle (45 °) with which they have been designed, semen is projected at high speed by three holes simultaneously, which facilitates that the semen progress beyond the second fold that is the most problematic. In sum, the device shown has, among others, the following advantages:

Avoid semen reflux from the cervix to the vagina, adapting to the anatomy of the sheep, especially the cervical entry ring and the protection of the plica.

Facilitate the vision and task of the technician during the insemination.

Do not modify the current procedure or the instruments currently used in insemination.

Save the second fold of the cervix.

Do not harm the animal.

In the tests carried out in vivo, a 15-point increase in the fertility success rate with respect to conventional means has been observed. The device used had the following dimensions: outer diameter of the base of 12 mm and a total height of 23 mm.

The device has been designed to be an element within the instruments currently used, no adaptation is required in this material as it is compatible with existing catheters.

Nor is additional training required for the technician, since he will do the operation as he had done before. Even the maneuver is facilitated and the time necessary for insemination is reduced, as it does not need to seek the slightest penetration. You will only have to incorporate the device into the catheter, for this purpose, a channel 22 has been provided that serves as a housing for the catheter whose truncated conical shape extends to the longitudinal element 1 such that by having a section that is decreasing it can be adapted to catheters of different diameters.

Unlike other species, in the particular case of sheep, insemination must be very economical to be attractive. Fundamentally, because the Success rates are lower than other species and for their own economic value in the animal market, compared to others such as pig or cow.

Another interesting aspect so that it can be used for both sheep and other species, is the possibility of being manufactured in one piece. For example, by plastic injection. These characteristics make its manufacturing cost low. Keep in mind that this device should preferably be disposable. Its reuse can cause the transmission of diseases between different animals and the sterilization of the same, it would be a very expensive and impractical process for this type of operations.

Claims

1. Device for artificial insemination by cervical route of small ruminants characterized by comprising:

- a hollow longitudinal element (1) that conically narrows towards a first end with a blunt tip and with an exit hole (11), wherein said longitudinal element (1) has at least one second hole (12) laterally;

- a base (2), joined with the longitudinal element (1), said base (2) has a lateral recess or flattening (21) and an inner channel (22) for mounting the insemination catheter.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base (2) is hemispherical in shape without a side cap.

Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inner channel (22) is formed by extending the longitudinal element (1) into the base (2).

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface of the longitudinal element (1) is smooth.

Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longitudinal element (1) has two second holes (12) laterally located on opposite sides.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is manufactured in one piece.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is manufactured by injection of plastic material.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is disposable.