A.I. in wattled cranes (Bugeranus carunculatus)
Artificial insemination in Wattled crane at Wisbroek, Stramproy, Holland.
Artificial insemination or A.I. is a special reproduction technic which is being used to overcome infertility in those species which produce lot's of infertile eggs. The techniic consist of a co-operative massage technic in the male and of a simple non-co-operative massage technic in the female. A.I. is a risky business and should only be done by those people who have enough practical experience. AI has proven its merits in captive breeding many non-domesticated gall- and grui-forms such as the Cabot's tragopan, copper pheasant, wattled, whooping, Siberian cranes, houbara bustard, and many others. Thanks to AI, many more individuals from both species are now available which would not have been available when depending only on natural mating methods. As such, A.I. is a prime reproduction technic for those species which suffer from infertility problems.