INTRAUTERINE INSEMINATION OF FARMED FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA) WITH FROZEN-THAWED SEMEN VIA LAPAROSCOPY

Estrus and ovulation of mature fallow does (n = 155) on two North American farms were synchronized by intravaginal silastic devices containing 0.3 g progesterone (CIDR-type G) for 14 d. Each of 151 does received laparoscopic intrauterine inseminations of either 50 × 106 (n = 125) or 25 × 106 (n = 26) frozen-thawed spermatozoa, 65 to 68 h after CIDR device withdrawal. Four does received intrauterine inseminations per vaginam of 50 × 106 spermatozoa 68 to 69 hours after CIDR device withdrawal. Semen from crossbred Dama dama dama × Dama dama mesopotamica sires was collected in New Zealand by electroejaculation. The overall pregnancy rate to artificial insemination, as assessed by rectal ultrasonography at Day 45, was 67.7%. The pregnancy rates for does receiving laparoscopic inseminations were 58.2% (Texas; 50 × 106 spermatozoa; n = 79 does); 80.8% (Texas; 25 × 106 spermatozoa; n = 26 does) and 76.1% (New York; 50 × 106 spermatozoa; n = 46 does). Three of the four does receiving intrauterine inseminations per vaginam became pregnant to the frozen-thawed semen. © 1990.