Canine endoscopic transcervical insemination

Artificial insemination (AI) is one of the most common assisted reproductive technologies used in animals. In fact, the first ever AI was performed in a dog in the 18th century that resulted in a litter of three puppies. The technique slowly gained popularity in the 1900’s, and the first canine litter born out of frozen semen AI was in the mid-1900’s. There are different methods used for AI in dogs, and it varies depending on the type of semen used. The most common method used is the vaginal insemination for fresh/fresh extended or cooled extended semen. The method used for intrauterine insemination, especially with frozen semen, is either using surgical method (laparotomy or laparoscopic approach) or by transcervical catheterisation method using an endoscope. This paper will focus on the technique of canine AI using endoscopic transcervical insemination (TCI). Thorough understanding of canine reproductive anatomy and physiology is of paramount importance for proper breeding management and application of the TCI technique for a successful outcome.