Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques

INTRODUCTION

We warmly welcome you to the course on "VGO 511 - Veterinary Andrology and Reproductive Techniques (1+1)".

India became the world leader in milk production during the year 2001, with the production volume of 84 million tonnes. In 2006-07, the milk production has reached 100.9 million tonnes which accounted for about 15 percentage of the total world milk output. India could achieve this position with the large livestock population of 110 millions of cow and 58 millions of buffaloes. It indicated that production of milk per milch animal is low when compared to developed countries. Although, artificial insemination (AI) contributed to narrow down gap between animal number and production, still there is a need to improve the quality of animals. There is a scarcity of good quality bulls to breed all these animals throughout the country. In this context, artificial insemination (AI) gains much importance among the livestock breeders.

The technique of AI is particularly more useful in our nation, where the paucity of quality sires has been the main hurdle in the path of cattle improvement. When the artificial insemination was started, it was seen as a doubtful technology by the farmers. With the pioneering work done by J.D. Sampathkumaran (first man who did AI in cattle at the Palace Dairy Herd of Maharajah of Mysore during 1939), AI was accepted as normal method of improving non-descript livestock and till now, it is the most simple, easiest and successful reproductive tool among all assisted reproductive techniques (ART). It is mandate, to evaluate each and every bull for its andrological soundness and semen quality before using for artificial insemination. At present, we are entirely depending upon the laboratory tests, to assess the bull fertility along with andrological investigation.

Considering the above, this course has been prepared with the objective of providing the each veterinary student a complete knowledge about andrology and semenology. In andrology, major emphasis is given towards anatomy, physiology and pathology of male reproductive system. All the diseases of male, their diagnosis, prognosis and treatment are given in detail. Semenology chapters include, semen collection, evaluation, processing, semen freezing, storage and shipment. In semen evaluation, important parameters and methods have been included in an easily understandable way. Detailed information has been provided about cryocans and their transport. All the attempts have been made to present information documented by various text books in a concise manner with the proper supplementation of audio-visual aids. The learner has to understand that this content is designed not to substitute for but to supplement the recommended textbooks in andrology. The list of additional reading materials given at the end of this introductory module will enable the learner to have easy access to a more detailed information on each topic covered.

After reading this course, if the learner gets even a tiny benefit for the improvement of livestock species, the efforts made by the course content developers (Dr.M. Selvaraju and Dr.S. Manokaran) will be fulfilled.

Dr.M. Selvaraju

Dr.S. Manokaran