Training+on+Semen+Evaluation+and+Diagnosis+of+Ultrasound+Pregnancy+in+Small+Ruminants+Debre+Birhan,+March+2015

Training on semen evaluation and ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis in small ruminants March, 2015

Debre Birhan, Ethiopia

**Participants** ** list  **




 * Framework and Objective **

Ultrasound machines may not seem to fit with preconceived ideas for use in extensive, low input systems, but the technology has become cheaper and more accessible. Ultrasound machines do not contravene environmental priorities, but they are non-invasive and non-hormonal. A whole generation of easy-use, high resolution, portable machines is now available with a high reliability of diagnosis as early as 30 days of pregnancy—even less in sheep and goats. Skilled operators can provide different levels of information which will translate into concrete management strategies. This information is very valuable because it offers: i) an opportunity for re-mating; ii) culling of non-fertile females; and iii) timely planning of conditions for birth.

A more advanced use of commercial, field-applicable ultrasound scanners is to determine number of fetuses (litter size) and their age. It is expected that the rapid development and adoption of the technology for animal farming will accomplish in a foreseeable future the needed expertise and equipment to further narrow the window for fetus age estimation and viability. Under this advanced regime of reproductive management, trained operators can identify zero, single-bearing and multiple-bearing females. The non-pregnant females can be culled for profit and to improve flock fertility as exactly in the basic regime. Pregnant females can be sorted out into groups carrying single or multiple fetuses. This is important as farmers can rationalize the use of feed supplements by adjusting the extra quantities distributed at the end of pregnancy according to litter size. Survival rates for well-grown in utero fetuses are higher and multiple litters can benefit from a better preparation of the birth environment.

Second, the regime can better assess the age of the fetus to increase the precision of strategic feeding for colostrum production and appropriate mammary growth preparing for optimal milk synthesis and suckling. This is of uttermost importance under extensive production systems to ensure proper live weight and maturity of lambs and kids at birth.

Within its activities linked to CRP Livestock and Fish aiming at improved small ruminants’ productivity, ICARDA facilitated introduction of field solutions for ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis to reduce reproductive losses and increase lambing rates in sheep flocks. ICARDA first started screening the international market for cost-effective, user-friendly ultrasound machines and purchased machines to be used in the target locations of Menz, Ethiopia. Core teams of national technical staff (veterinarians and animal production specialists) were trained on machine use, interpretation of ultrasound images, and data valorization.

None of the laboratories in Ethiopia is equipped to undertake all the steps of small ruminant artificial insemination (AI), resulting in a research void. AI research is an important component to support genetics and enhance the efficiency of CBBP’s. The ICARDA team is working with national researchers to develop the capacity of two AI laboratories (Debre Birhan and Bonga) to support genetic improvement schemes of Menz and Bonga sheep. The option retained for both locations, which will be outscaled to other locations and other breeds, is the use of fresh semen, collected, evaluated, processed and deposited in the ewes’ genital tract immediately after collection. This procedure will avoid extra investment and logistics for semen cooling and transportation. Adequate semen assessment and processing is a decisive step for acceptable conception rates in sheep and goats AI. ICARDA scientists in collaboration with researchers from Debre Birhan Sheep Research Institute organized and implemented a 3-days training course in March 2015 targeting 14 (2 women) veterinarians and animal production specialists from different sites in Ethiopia where CBBP’s are in place. The training had a theoretical module where (i) the basics of male reproduction are recalled, and (ii) steps for successful semen production are detailed. In the practical module, the trainees were involved in the act of semen collection from trained rams, semen handling and processing in the laboratory to assess viability (respect of the temperature, assessment of color, viscosity, mass and individual motility, determination of sperm concentration), calculations to fix the quantity of extender to add and the number of potential straws to produce. All trainees acquired, at the end of the training, basic skills to undertake most practical steps. Further on-job training is scheduled in 2015 and 2016 when field AI’s are implemented. The training carried out in Debre berhan research station brought together research staff from six research centers, Debre berhan sheep breeding ranch and Addis Ababa University, veterinary faculty
 * Capacity building **