Bovine artificial vagina
Keywords: AV, bovine, artificial, vagina, semen, collection
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An artificial vagina used to collect semen from bulls. For diagnostic purposes, semen is usually collected from bulls using electroejaculation but for routine collection of semen, an artificial vagina is used. This artificial vagina was simply made from rigid rubber tubing with a thin, sterile, latex-type rubber liner. Special liners are required because latex itself is often spermicidal, depending on the vulcanizing process used in its manufacture.
An artificial vagina used to collect semen from bulls. For diagnostic purposes, semen is usually collected from bulls using electroejaculation but for routine collection of semen, an artificial vagina is used. This artificial vagina was simply made from rigid rubber tubing with a thin, sterile, latex-type rubber liner. Special liners are required because latex itself is often spermicidal, depending on the vulcanizing process used in its manufacture.
Hot water at about 37° C is added to the space between the rigid tube and the liner for warmth, then it is inflated by blowing into the small covered hole seen at left. This is done by lifting the strip of latex covering the hole, blowing into the hole and releasing the strip of latex.
Note the outer jacket surrounding the collection vessel; during cold weather, this is filled with warm water to prevent cold shock of the spermatozoa.
