Birth of pouch young after artificial insemination in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii)

Abstract

Timing of artificial insemination (AI) in marsupials is critical because fertilization must occur before mucin coats the oocyte during passage through the oviduct. In this study, timing and the site of insemination were examined to develop AI in the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). Birth and postpartum (p.p.) estrus was synchronized in 46 females. Epididymal spermatozoa (n = 4) or semen collected by electroejaculation (n = 42) were inseminated early (4-21 h p.p.) into the urogenital sinus (n = 7), the anterior vaginal culs de sac (n = 7), the uterus by transcervical catheter (n = 5), or the uterus by injection (intrauterine artificial insemination, IUAI) (n = 5). A further 16 females were ..