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Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · Reproduction and Birth

Artificial insemination

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ɪnˌsemɪˈneɪʃən/nounCommon term

In veterinary medicine, artificial insemination means: Placing semen collected from a male into a female's reproductive tract with instruments, instead of natural mating, to make her pregnant.

In Turkish: suni tohumlama, yapay tohumlama

How it is used

Shortened to AI and widely used in dairy cattle, pigs and horses, and sometimes in dogs. Farmers talk about AI sires, straws of semen and services; the person who does it is an AI technician or inseminator.

Example sentences

  1. Most dairy cows in the region are bred by artificial insemination.

  2. We use sexed semen for artificial insemination of the best heifers.

Common collocations

  • artificial insemination programme
  • fixed-time artificial insemination
  • AI technician
  • straw of semen
  • oestrusThe part of the reproductive cycle when a female animal is fertile and will accept mating, commonly called heat or, in dogs and cats, season. US spelling: estrus.
  • pregnantCarrying one or more developing young in the uterus. Farm vets often use species phrases instead, such as in calf, in lamb or in foal.
  • breedA group of animals within one species that share a recognisable appearance and traits passed down through controlled mating, such as the Labrador or the Holstein.
  • cattleCows, bulls, steers and calves kept for milk or meat. It is a plural noun with no singular form.

More terms: Reproduction and Birth

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.