Avi MAIL: Mobile AI Laboratory for Sheep

Background

Artificial insemination (AI) is a crucial reproductive technology that accelerates genetic improvement in livestock by using semen from elite male sires. Despite India having the second-largest sheep population globally (74.26 million), AI adoption in sheep remains extremely low, mainly due to the anatomical challenges of the ewe’s cervix and the limited viability of frozen-thawed ram semen. Consequently, traditional AI techniques have been largely ineffective in sheep breeding programs.

AI using liquid chilled semen has shown better fertility results with 50–60% lambing rates, but the semen’s short lifespan of about 12 hours restricts insemination to areas within 25–30 km of stationary labs. This limitation prevents large-scale breed improvement efforts, especially in remote and nomadic sheep-rearing regions where access to AI services is minimal.

Addressing this critical gap, Avi MAIL (Mobile Artificial Insemination Laboratory) has been conceptualized and developed. It is a mobile, fully-equipped laboratory platform that enables on-site semen collection, processing, and insemination, especially suited for field deployment in rural and remote sheep-rearing belts. This innovation offers a transformative approach to making AI services accessible, affordable, and effective for widespread sheep breed improvement programs across India and beyond.

Technology Details

Artificial insemination (AI) in sheep faces major challenges due to the ineffectiveness of frozen semen—caused by the ewe’s complex cervical anatomy—and the limited viability of liquid chilled semen, which restricts AI services to areas close to stationary semen laboratories. To overcome these constraints, Avi MAIL introduces a fully integrated mobile AI laboratory mounted on a specially designed vehicle, enabling semen collection, processing, evaluation, and insemination directly in the field, even in remote and nomadic regions.

The mobile lab ensures hygienic and contamination-free semen handling through advanced features such as a dynamic pass-box, HEPA and UV air purifiers, air curtains, and laboratory instruments including a microscope, photo-colorimeter, and pH meter for accurate semen quality assessment. A dedicated sterilization section with a Class-B autoclave, drying rack, and hot air oven guarantees proper preparation and sterilization of equipment, maintaining strict biosecurity standards.

Power reliability is ensured via multiple backup systems including a roof-mounted 7 KVA generator, UPS, vehicle battery, and external AC supply capability, facilitating uninterrupted operation in any location. Furthermore, Avi MAIL enhances farmer education and remote monitoring through an LED screen for audio-visual content, a public address system, CCTV cameras, and internet connectivity. Its cost-effectiveness and adaptability also allow customization for AI in other small ruminants like goats and pigs, making it a versatile and scalable solution for livestock reproductive management.

Unique Features:

1. Fully Equipped Mobile AI Laboratory: A specialized vehicle serves as a semen processing laboratory with separate units for semen collection, evaluation, and processing.
2. Field-Level AI Capabilities: The setup enables technicians to collect, process, and use chilled semen directly in field conditions, making AI accessible to remote and nomadic sheep flocks.
3. Hygienic and Efficient Semen Processing: Equipped with a dynamic pass-box, HEPA and UV air purifier, air curtain, and specialized instruments (microscope, photo-colorimeter, and pH meter), the laboratory ensures contamination-free semen processing.
4. Comprehensive Laboratory Setup: Includes a cleaning and sterilization unit with Class-B autoclave, drying rack, and hot air oven for preparing collection equipment and sterilizing tools.
5. Multiple power backups: roof-mounted 5.5 KVA generator, UPS, vehicle battery, and external AC supply.
6. Awareness and Monitoring Features: Equipped with an LED screen for farmer education through audio-visual presentations and a public address system, along with CCTV cameras and internet connectivity for remote monitoring.
7. Cost-Effective and Multipurpose: More economical than stationary AI labs and adaptable for other livestock species such as goats and pigs.

This innovation provides a game-changing solution by extending AI services beyond the limitations of traditional stationary labs, ensuring wider breed improvement, better reproductive efficiency, and increased accessibility for sheep farmers across diverse regions.