ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to evaluate efficiency of
artificial insemination (AI) service and constraints of AI service selected
Districts of Harar National Region State, Ethiopia. A total of 320 dairy cows
were randomly selected from six districts of Harari region; Jin’Eala, Shenkor,
Hakim, Dire-Teyara, Aboker, Sofi. Data on dairy cattle management, artificial
insemination (AI) service efficiency and constraints of AI service were
generated using structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Forty three
straws of frozen semen was sampled from the regional AI service centre, thawed
and evaluated at the region level for its quality (motility, viability and
morphology) following standard procedures. The overall mean percentage of
frozen semen motility at regional level was 49.6. Semen production period
(batch) and Breed (exotic blood level) had no effect on frozen semen motility.
The mean percentage of viable (live) spermatozoa was 58.3. Sperm viability was
not significantly influenced by Semen production period (batch) and, breed
(exotic blood level). The overall mean percentages of major and minor sperm
morphological defects were 5.6 and 21.8, respectively. Frozen sperm major
morphological defects were significantly affected (p < 0.05) by Semen production period (batch), however sire breed
has no effect (p > 0.05) on frozen
sperm major morphological defects. Frozen sperm minor morphological defects
were not significantly affected (P >
0.05) by both semen production period (batch) and sire breed (exotic blood
level). The mean number of service per conception (NSC) in the current study
was found to be 1.6. It was not significantly affected by previous season of
calving, previous year of calving and parity. Non-return rate value of Harari
region AI service center was 48.1%. Major constraints of AI service delivery
system in the study area were feed shortage, problem in heat detection, service
charge for AI, distance from AI service centre and husbandry problem.
Additional shortage of input for AI service activity particularly semen and
liquid nitrogen was reported as constraint of artificial insemination service
in the study area, which interrupt smooth delivery of AI service.