Trans-cervical inseminations are done by endoscope or the “Norwegian catheter”. The rigid endoscope is more widely used than the Norwegian catheter, and has the considerable advantage of providing the operator and the bitch’s owner with a view of the actual deposition of semen in the uterus by way of a TV monitor. Those skilled in the use of the Norwegian catheter can get excellent results as well. Trans-cervical semen depositions do not require any sedation at all in nearly all cases.

The important difference between a trans-cervical insemination and a surgical implant is, obviously, that the trans-cervical does not entail the risks of general anaesthesia and surgery. Unless there is a pathological condition of the uterus, there is no benefit to doing a surgical. If the tissues of the uterus or the ovary are abnormal, an exploratory surgical procedure can be done on the bitch well before she is in heat, if hormonal studies, ultrasound or breeding history indicate a pathology that cannot otherwise be identified. Many abnormalities will make themselves known through hormonal studies, and may be treated medically rather than surgically.

Of the different types of semen preparation, it is again obvious that fresh dog-to-dog collection and insemination will give the best semen preparation. Fresh-extended or “chilled” semen has performed very well for many years, but not as well, statistically, as fresh semen collected at the time and on the same premises as the breeding. The worst statistics are for frozen semen, no matter what process is used for the freezing. The reason for this is that once frozen semen is thawed, it lives for a period of two to twelve hours. With fresh or fresh extended semen we’re looking at days, not hours, of longevity. Because of this difference, frozen semen should only be used with direct intra-uterine deposition, and trans-cervical is to be preferred to the surgical implant. It should be clear that the timing of the frozen semen deposition is extremely critical, while there is more latitude in the deposition of fresh or fresh-extended sperm. If at all possible, if the stud dog is still alive, fresh or fresh-extended semen should be used.