Combined Artificial Insemination & Comprehensive Bovine Embryo Transfer Training Course
Course Info
Our 6.5-day (65 hour) Combined Artificial Insemination & Comprehensive Bovine Embryo Transfer Training Course is a fully immersive, hands-on experience designed for beginners in cattle reproduction, including beef and dairy producers, students, and veterinarians with limited or out-of-practice experience. This course blends focused classroom instruction with extensive practical training, including practice on cow models and reproductive tracts, semen handling, full laboratory setup for live embryo work, and real-time artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and flushing procedures in live cattle.
The first two days of the course are dedicated entirely to artificial insemination, semen handling, estrus synchronization, and building strong palpation skills. These days are especially valuable for students who have little to no prior AI experience, as well as those who have previous training but are out of practice and want a refresher before moving into embryo transfer. The second day is spent primarily palpating cattle and reinforcing reproductive anatomy and synchronization protocols—ensuring all students enter the embryo transfer portion of the course with a solid technical foundation. Beginning on day three, students build directly on these AI skills as they transition into embryo transfer, continuing to refine technique throughout the remainder of the week.
By the end of the course, participants will have hands-on experience in palpation, reproductive tract identification, semen handling and thawing, artificial insemination techniques, estrus synchronization protocols, donor and recipient management, embryo flushing, embryo searching and grading, embryo freezing and thawing, and embryo transfer. You’ll be exposed to all stages of commercial AI and ET protocols and leave with the confidence, efficiency, and practical skill set needed to independently implement artificial insemination and embryo transfer in cattle operations. Class size is intentionally limited to ensure personalized instruction, maximum hands-on time, and direct instructor feedback.
Certificates of Completion are given to students who complete the course and demonstrate an understanding of the theory & practical techniques of Bovine Artificial Insemination (AI) and Bovine Embryo Transfer (ET).
What You Will Learn in the AI portion of the course:- Nutrition
- Herd management
- Semen handling
- Estrous synchronization protocols
- Palpating the cervix
- Negotiating the AI gun through the cervix
- Optimizing herd genetics with AI
- Tighten calving season
- Produce more uniform calf crop
- Conventional flushing
- How to search, manipulate and classify embryos.
- Procedure for loading embryos into straws for freezing or transfer.
- How to recognize cryoprotectant in order to know proper embryo thawing procedure.
- How to properly freeze bovine embryos.
- How to locate and identify ovarian anatomy.
- How to transfer bovine embryos.
- Recipient management before and after transfer.
- How to setup donor and recipient schedules.
- Methods of estrous synchronization and superovulation protocols.
- Proper completion of embryo transfer paperwork and documentation using International Embryo Technology Society guidelines.
- We also show you where to purchase all the supplies and equipment that will be needed to successfully perform embryo transfer.
Class Size:
Limited to 8 students maximum, 5 minimum
Class size is intentionally limited to ensure personalized instruction, maximum hands-on time, and direct instructor feedback.
Instructor
Key Benefits of Artificial Insemination
- The primary advantage of artificial insemination is the maximum use of outstanding bulls. Thus, enhancing the genetic value of the herd.
- Providing access to high quality bulls at modest prices.
- Prevention of transmission of diseases.
- Reduces the risk of introducing harmful recessive traits.
- Improved general herd management.
- Shortening the calving season.
- Improved merchandising through the use of well publicized bulls with known reputations.
- Enhanced genetic value of your herd
- Control venereal diseases
- Improved breeding records
- Improved safety due to no bulls
- Learn estrus synchronization programs
- Essential for embryo transfer programs
- Sex control by using sexed semen
Key Benefits of Embryo Transfer
- To produce more calves from a valuable cow. Donors average between 7-8 usable embryos per flush (range 0-52 in our experience). The average donor can be superovulated successfully up to 6 times per year although there is considerable variation between donors. Pregnancy rates should average 60% in beef, and 70% in dairy cattle.
- Changing from grade cattle to pure-bred animals is less expensive using embryo transfer than buying pure-bred cattle.
- Circumvention of some types of infertility can be accomplished using embryo transfer techniques.
- More calves are produced per dose of semen. Three doses of semen are sufficient per superovulation, which will produce an average of 3.5 calves from fertile donors.
- Prevent disease transmission
- Research tool
- Embryos are a safe and efficient method of exporting and importing genetic material.
- Testing for undesirable recessive traits in the dam.
- To obtain bull calves from top cows for young sire programs which identify the best bulls.
Course Syllabus
Each day of the Combined Comprehensive Bovine Embryo Transfer & Artificial Insemination Training Course consists of lectures, labs, and chute time. Students are taught bovine artificial insemination, embryo recovery (flushing), embryo freezing, embryo thawing, and embryo transfer. Students also learn how to properly use a microscope for embryo identification, embryo handling, and embryo grading.
No successful course on embryo transfer can be given without presenting the student with freshly superovulated cows to provide ample opportunities to experience palpating superovulated ovaries. Therefore, we provide freshly superovulated cows, giving the student the opportunity to practice sufficient flushing & palpation. Frozen-thawed eggs and embryos are available for additional practice whenever needed.
Subjects Taught:
- How to perform bovine artificial insemination
- All techniques needed to perform conventional embryo collection and transfer
- Adequate chute and lab time throughout the course
- Selection of donors & recipients-genetic & physical aspects
- Management and nutrition of donors
- Reproductive physiology
- Synchronization of donors and recipients
- Synchronisation of estrus using prostaglandins, progesterones & GnRH
- Superovulation-use of follicle stimulating hormones, mechanisms of follicular maturation, ablation & ovulation
- Heat detection methods
- Breeding strategies and techniques
- Methods of embryo & egg recovery
- Techniques of transferring embryos-palpation of cervix, uterus, ovaries, follicles & corpora lutea
- How to load embryos in straws for fresh transfers
- Description, preparation & care of stereozoom microscopes
- Location, manipulation & classifiaction of embryos
- How to identify which cryoprotectant was used to freeze the embryo so you can thaw it properly
- How to properly freeze and thaw embryos
- Sanitation of embryos for domestic use & for export
- Preparation of frozen-thawed embryos for transfer
- Embryo Transfer Lab setup
- Record keeping
- learn of all equipment and supplies needed to perform ET
- Embryo Transfer Textbook included
Day 1:
- Classroom portion consists of lecture on AI.
- The lab portion in the classroom consists of students practicing on cow reproductive tracts and the schools cow model.
Day 2:
- Students will be out at the chutes practicing on live cows learning palpation, passing of the cervix, etc.
Days 3-5:
In the Morning Session students are in the classroom
- lectures and PowerPoint presentations covering all aspects of embryo transfer protocols and techniques.
- Students practice flushing on cow reproductive tracts
- Searching, manipulating, and grading embryos using stereozoom microscope
- How to load embryos in straws for fresh transfers
- How to identify which cryoprotectant was used to freeze the embryo so you can thaw it properly
- Practice freezing and thawing embryos
- Methods of estrous synchronization and superovulation, frozen transfers and protocols
- How to setup donor and recipient schedules
In the Afternoon Session students are out at the chutes practicing on live cows
- Passing ET guns
- Palpating ovaries to find active CLs and identify follicular cysts.
- Catheter placement
- Flushing
Day 6:
In the Morning Session students are in the classroom
- Lecture
- Practice flushing on cow reproductive tracts
- Practice Embryo handling
- Practice Embryo freezing
In the Afternoon Session students are out at the chutes practicing on live cows
- Students flush super-ovulated cows to collect embryos and then freeze the embryos collected.
Day 7:
- This is a review day, the students choose what they want to work on.
- A lot of practice tips!
Note: All students will be at different levels of experience, there are two chutes for everyone to be able to work on whatever they would like, along with reproductive tracts and models in the classroom. While we have a schedule, the school is focused on giving every student the needed practice they require. Throughout the week students will be able to choose what they would like to focus on and practice during the time at the chutes.
Course Hours
The Combined Comprehensive Bovine Embryo Transfer & Artificial Insemination Training Course is a 6.5 day course.
On Day 1 class starts at 1:30 P.M. and ends at 6:30 P.M.
On Days 2-6 class starts at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 6:00 P.M.
Day 7 class starts at 8:00 A.M. and ends at 1:30 P.M.
Prerequisites
There are no academic prerequisites for this course. All one needs is the enthusiasm to learn a new technology.
School Location
Our facilities are located in Senatobia Mississippi, just 45 minutes drive from Memphis International Airport. Students flying in to attend our school will need to fly into Memphis International Airport.
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Transportation & Lodging Info
Transportation & Lodging are not included in the cost of the course. If you are flying you will need to fly into Memphis International Airport and rent a vehicle. The training facility is located 35 minutes from the airport. Most students choose to stay in Senatobia or Hernando. However, you may also wish to stay at one of the casinos in Tunica, MS. The closest casinos are the Gold Strike and Horseshoe Casinos, they are located approximately 35 minutes from the school facilities.
Hotels in Senatobia, MS (10 min from training facility)
- Holiday Inn Express (mention you are attending the school for a discounted rate of $129 per night)
Phone:662-612-2550 - Spahn House – (around $125 per night)
Phone:662-288-6851 - Local Rooms for Rent – Across the street from the school (around $95 per night)
Phone:662-501-4438 (ask for Terri)
Hotels in Hernando, MS (20 min from training facility)
- Super 8 – (around $85 per night)
Phone:662-429-5334
Hotels in Tunica, MS (35 min from training facility)
- Gold Strike Casino – (startng at $55 per night during the week)
Phone:888-245-7829 - Horseshoe Casino – (startng at $55 per night during the week)
Phone:800-303-7463
Course Schedule
Dates marked full are closed — call 662-562-0304 to be told when the next one opens.
Tuition
Registration
To register for this course click the below Register button.
Open to anyone 18 or older — no veterinary degree or prior experience required.
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