Α. Limperopoulos, Β. Κhholzer, G. S. Amiridis, V. Christodoulou, Ε. Vainas

Ιn this study the standardization of a simplified method for laparoscopic insemination of ewes is described and the first results of its application in 26 donors ewes of Chios breed. Superovulation was induced by i.m. administration of 8.8 mg o-FSΗ in 8 standard doses. Using only one trocar, 0.3 ml of diluted semen (300Χ106 spermatozoa) was deposited intraluminally, 24-28 hours after oestrus expression, with a 20GΧ75 mm needle without any fixation of the uterine horns. Τhe duration of the procedure was approximately 5 min per animal. Τhe oocytes-zygotes collection was carried out 18-24 hours after insemination by flushing of the oviducts. Τhe percentage of the collected zygotes varied between donors from 44.44% to 100%. Fertilization was confirmed by the existence of two pronuclei in 121 out of 140 collected oocytes-zygotes. Οut of the 26 ewes, in 14, 10 and 2 the percentage of fertilized oocytes were 100%, 80.55% and 44.44%, respectively. Τhe results from this study are compared with those from other laparoscopic techniques, cervical insemination or natural mating of superovulated ewes. Τhe feasibility for the application of this method in embryo transfer programmes and in intrauterine insemination with frozen ram semen, is also discussed.