Andrology procedures and standards; a potential weak link in animal breeding

Realisation of the full genetic potential of artificial insemination (AI) requires fulfilment of a number of pre-requisites, including timely insemination of cycling, fertile females with an effective sperm dose (or an adequate number of competent sperm).Ensuring a consistently accurate sperm dose requires rigorous application of good andrological procedures. Poor procedures result in inferior results, lowered confidence in AI, and loss of clientele. Third party monitoring, using standardized techniques assessments and standards (as below), can increase awareness of good procedures and reduce problems and disputes. Here we review such monitoring systems and procedures, their role in both quality assurance and problem solving, and the importance of standardization of methods and interpretations of results. In addition, newer laboratory methods of assessing semen for AI will be discussed.