Artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular pigs

Abstract

The invention relates to an artificial insemination device (1) for livestock, in particular pigs, comprising a tubular body (2) and a tip (3) which is attached to one end (6) of the tubular body (2) and is configured to be inserted and positioned in the cervix of a female animal, characterised in that the tip (3) is composed of at least agar-agar, water and glycerol.

Description

[0001] Title: Artificial insemination device for livestock, particularly pigs

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003]

[0001] The invention relates to an artificial insemination device for livestock, particularly pigs.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005]

[0002] Artificial insemination devices for livestock, particularly pigs, are also called insemination probes or catheters.

[0006]

[0003] These insemination probes are generally made at least partially of plastic and, as these probes are single-use, they must be discarded and recycled after use.

[0007]

[0004] In particular, such an insemination probe comprises a tubular longitudinal body made of plastic, in particular polypropylene, and a foam tip, in particular polyurethane, which is secured at one end of the body and which is configured to be inserted and positioned in the cervix of a female animal, with the tip thus forming a functional end of the probe.

[0008]

[0005] Such a probe further has a seed flow channel extending longitudinally from an inlet end inside the probe body to an outlet end, opposite the inlet end, inside a through-orifice provided in the tip, where the flow channel opens.

[0009]

[0006] A bag containing semen, for example porcine semen, is generally connected directly or indirectly, via a conduit, to the inlet end of the flow channel so that, once the probe is positioned in the cervix of the female animal, the semen can flow from the bag into the female animal through the body and tip of the probe.

[0010]

[0007] Such use requires that the insemination probe has certain specific parameters, in particular mechanical resistance, safety with respect to the semen to be transferred, and stability over time, which are met, for example, by polypropylene for the body and polyurethane foam for the tip.

[0011] DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The invention relates to an artificial insemination device for livestock, particularly pigs, for single use and which is particularly environmentally friendly while being simple, convenient and economical.

[0012]

[0009] The invention thus relates to an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular pigs, comprising a tubular body and a tip secured at one end of the tubular body and configured to be inserted and positioned in the cervix of a female animal, characterized in that the tip is composed of at least agar-agar, water and glycerol.

[0013]

[0010] In the artificial insemination device according to the invention, the tip is made from components which have characteristics of biodegradability and domestic compostability.

[0014]

[0011] It should be noted that agar-agar is a gelling agent contained in particular in the cell walls of certain species of red algae belonging to the Gelidiaceae and Gracilariaceae families. Agar-agar can be in the form of a powder which, upon contact with water, forms a gelatinous mucilage.

[0015]

[0012] Furthermore, the artificial insemination device according to the invention not only makes it possible to ensure its function of assisting in the insemination of livestock, in particular pigs, which requires both sufficient compressibility and relative hardness of the tip while maintaining stability over time, in particular in terms of mass, for its positioning and maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, but also to be single-use and disposable without any restrictive recyclability condition.

[0016]

[0013] In particular, the combination of agar-agar and glycerol to form the tip makes it possible to obtain satisfactory dimensional and mass properties over time, as well as mechanical properties defined by a Young's modulus and an elongation at break which are also satisfactory for the use of the insemination device provided with such a tip; while the tip of such an artificial insemination device can simply decompose as a result of biological processes in domestic compost, without any particular action other than the action of time.

[0017]

[0014] Preferred, simple, convenient and economical characteristics of the artificial insemination device according to the invention are presented below.

[0018]

[0015] The tip may comprise between about 3% by weight and about 5% by weight of agar-agar.

[0019]

[0016] The tip may comprise approximately 3.6% by weight of agar-agar.

[0020]

[0017] The tip may comprise between about 40% by weight and about 60% by weight of glycerol.

[0021]

[0018] The tip may contain talc, so as to reinforce the mechanical properties of the tip, particularly over time.

[0019] The tip may contain less than 10% by weight of talc.

[0022]

[0020] The tip may comprise between about 8% by weight and about 9% by weight of talc.

[0023]

[0021] The tip may comprise approximately 8.3% by weight of talc.

[0024]

[0022] Values ​​expressed as a percentage by weight are equivalent to mass percentage or mass percentage values.

[0025]

[0023] The tip may have a first length determined in an initial state, and a second length less than the first length determined in a first subsequent state measured approximately 24 hours after the initial state.

[0026]

[0024] The second length may be about 2 mm to about 7 mm less than the first determined length.

[0027]

[0025] The tip may have a first weight determined in an initial state, and a second weight less than the first weight determined in a second subsequent state measured between approximately 24 hours and approximately 10 days after the initial state.

[0028]

[0026] The second weight may be less than 20% to less than 50% lower than the first determined weight.

[0029]

[0027] The tip may have a Young's modulus of between approximately 300 kPa and approximately 500 kPa.

[0030]

[0028] The tip may have an elongation at break of between about 0.6 and about 0.8.

[0031]

[0029] In other words, the tip can be elongated between about 60% of its length and about 80% of its length before tearing.

[0032]

[0030] The end piece may have a through orifice into which the tubular body is introduced by its end.

[0033]

[0031] The through-orifice of the nozzle can form a second flow channel extending a first flow channel of the tubular body.

[0034]

[0032] The tip can be secured by gluing to the end of the tubular body.

[0035]

[0033] Other preferred, simple, convenient and economical characteristics of the artificial insemination device according to the invention are also presented below.

[0036]

[0034] The tubular body may be formed from an inner envelope made of paper and at least partially delimiting a first flow channel in the tubular body for the flow of male animal semen, and from an outer envelope made of a biopolymer material and covering the inner envelope.

[0037]

[0035] In the artificial insemination device according to the invention, the tubular body is formed of an inner envelope and an outer envelope which have characteristics of biodegradability and domestic compostability.

[0036] In other words, the artificial insemination device according to the invention not only makes it possible to ensure its function of assisting in the insemination of livestock, in particular pigs, which requires both sufficient rigidity and relative flexibility of the tubular body, in other words adequate bending behavior, for its positioning and maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, but also to be single-use and disposable without any restrictive recyclability condition.

[0038]

[0037] In particular, since the inner envelope is made of paper and the outer envelope is made of a biopolymer material, the artificial insemination device can simply decompose as a result of biological processes in domestic compost, without any particular action other than the action of time.

[0039]

[0038] The inner envelope of the tubular body may be provided with an inner sheath formed from several layers of paper of a first type having a first weight, and an outer sheath formed from at least one layer of paper of a second type having a second weight different from the first weight.

[0040]

[0039] The inner sheath makes it possible in particular to provide the internal envelope and therefore the tubular body with sufficient rigidity while the outer sheath promotes adhesion between the internal envelope and the external envelope.

[0041]

[0040] The paper of the first type of the inner sheath may have a first grammage greater than the second grammage of the paper of the second type.

[0042]

[0041] The inner sheath may comprise between two and four layers of paper of the first type.

[0043]

[0042] The layers of paper of the first type of the inner sheath can be superimposed around each other and coaxial.

[0044]

[0043] Alternatively, the layers of paper of the first type of the inner sheath can be superimposed by winding.

[0045]

[0044] At least one of the layers of paper of the first type of the inner sheath may be coated with a hydrophobic treatment.

[0046]

[0045] The paper layers of the first type of the inner sheath may each have a first thickness of between approximately 100 μm and approximately 220 μm.

[0047]

[0046] The layers of paper of the first type of the inner sheath may each have a first thickness equal to approximately 160 μm.

[0048]

[0047] The paper of the first type of the inner sheath may have a first weight of between approximately 80 g / m 2 and about 150 g / m 2 .

[0049]

[0048] The paper of the first type of the inner sheath may have a first grammage equal to approximately 120 g / m 2 .

[0050]

[0049] The paper of the second type may be an opacifying paper.

[0050] The at least one layer of paper of the second type of the inner sheath may have a second thickness of between approximately 50 μm and approximately 120 μm.

[0051]

[0051] The at least one layer of paper of the second type of the inner sheath may have a second thickness equal to approximately 80 μm.

[0052]

[0052] The paper of the second type of the inner sheath may have a second weight of between approximately 50 g / m 2 and about 70 g / m 2 .

[0053]

[0053] The paper of the second type of the inner sheath may have a second weight equal to approximately 60 g / m 2 .

[0054]

[0054] The internal envelope of the tubular body may have a first cumulative thickness of between approximately 350 μm and approximately 800 μm.

[0055]

[0055] The internal envelope of the tubular body may have a first cumulative thickness equal to approximately 700 μm.

[0056]

[0056] The outer envelope can be made of polybutylene succinate adipate, noted PBSA.

[0057]

[0057] The outer envelope may have a third thickness of between approximately 200 μm and approximately 500 μm.

[0058]

[0058] The outer envelope may have a third thickness equal to approximately 300 μm.

[0059]

[0059] The tubular body may have a second cumulative thickness of between approximately 550 μm and approximately 1300 μm.

[0060]

[0060] The tubular body may have a second cumulative thickness equal to approximately 1000 μm.

[0061] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0062]

[0061] The invention, according to an exemplary embodiment, will be well understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, given for information purposes and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0063]

[0062] Figure 1 schematically represents a perspective view of an artificial insemination device for livestock, in particular pigs, according to the invention.

[0063] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the artificial insemination device of Figure 1, showing in particular a tubular body and a tip of this device.

[0064] Figure 3 is a longitudinal mid-sectional view of the artificial insemination device shown in Figure 1.

[0064]

[0065] Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the composition of the tubular body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065]

[0066] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an artificial insemination device 1 for livestock, here for pigs.

[0066]

[0067] The artificial insemination device 1 is for single use and has properties which make it a biodegradable and domestically compostable artificial insemination device 1.

[0067]

[0068] The artificial insemination device 1 comprises a tubular body 2 and a tip 3 secured to the tubular body 2.

[0068]

[0069] The artificial insemination device 1 is configured to transfer semen from a male animal into a genital tract of a female animal, and in particular here into the cervix of the female animal.

[0069]

[0070] The tubular body 2 is here semi-rigid, that is to say that it has a bending behavior which allows it to be sufficiently rigid while having a relative flexibility so as to ensure its positioning and its maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, with a view to insemination.

[0070]

[0071] The tubular body 2 has a first end 5 and a second end 6 opposite the first end 5.

[0071]

[0072] The tubular body 2 extends between the first end 5 and the second end 6 over a first determined length.

[0072]

[0073] The tubular body 2 has a first external diameter and a second internal diameter smaller than the first external diameter.

[0073]

[0074] The tubular body 2 is provided with a first flow channel 7 extending between the first end 5 and the second end 6.

[0074]

[0075] The first flow channel 7 opens at the first end 5 through a first orifice 8, which defines an inlet orifice of the artificial insemination device 1.

[0076] The first flow channel 7 opens at the second end 6 through a second orifice 9.

[0075]

[0077] The first flow channel 7 allows the flow of semen from the male animal through the tubular body 2.

[0076]

[0078] The tip 3 is said to be flexible, that is to say that it has both sufficient compressibility and relative hardness for its positioning and maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, with a view to insemination.

[0077]

[0079] The end piece 3 has a third end 12 and a fourth end 13 opposite the third end 12.

[0078]

[0080] The end piece 3 extends between the third end 12 and the fourth end 13 over a second determined length.

[0081] Tip 3 has a generally circular shape.

[0079]

[0082] In the illustrated example, the third end 12 here has a truncated cone shape with an apex angle of approximately 90°.

[0080]

[0083] In particular, the fourth end 13 here also has a truncated cone shape with an apex angle of approximately 90°.

[0081]

[0084] The tip 3 has a third external diameter and a fourth internal diameter smaller than the third external diameter.

[0082]

[0085] The nozzle 3 is provided with a through orifice defining a second flow channel 14 extending between the third end 12 and the fourth end 13.

[0083]

[0086] The second flow channel 14 opens at the third end 12 through a third orifice 15 and at the fourth end 13 through a fourth orifice 16 which defines an outlet orifice of the artificial insemination device 1.

[0084]

[0087] The second flow channel 14 also allows the flow of the semen of the male animal through the tip 3.

[0085]

[0088] The end piece 3 further has a circumferential groove 17.

[0086]

[0089] The groove 17 is here formed approximately halfway along the second determined length of the end piece 3.

[0087]

[0090] In the example illustrated, the end piece 3 is further provided with a peripheral groove 18.

[0088]

[0091] The peripheral groove 18 is formed near the fourth end 13, which forms a distal end of the insemination device 1.

[0089]

[0092] The peripheral groove 18 here has a circular cross-section and has a fifth diameter which is less than the fourth internal diameter of the end piece 3, and which is also less than the second internal diameter of the first flow channel 7 of the tubular body 2.

[0090]

[0093] In other words, the peripheral groove 18 locally narrows the second flow channel 14 of the tip 3, just before the distal end of the insemination device 1.

[0091]

[0094] The tubular body 2 is introduced by its second end 6 into the third orifice 15 of the end piece 3.

[0092]

[0095] The end piece 3 covers and overlaps at least partially, at its third end 12, the second end 6 of the tubular body 2.

[0093]

[0096] The first internal channel 7 of the tubular body 2 opens at its second orifice 9 into the second flow channel 14 of the end piece 3.

[0094]

[0097] Thus, the second flow channel 14 of the end piece 3 partially extends the first flow channel 7 from the second end 6 of the tubular body 2 to the fourth end 13 of the end piece 3.

[0098] In other words, the second flow channel 14 of the end piece 3 partially extends the first flow channel 7 of the tubular body 2 so that the end piece 3 projects beyond the second end 6 of the tubular body 2.

[0095]

[0099] In the example illustrated, the end piece 3 is secured by gluing with the tubular body 2.

[0096]

[0100] In the artificial insemination device 1, the tubular body 2 is thus configured to guide, insert and position the tip 3 in the cervix of the female animal, with a view to insemination.

[0097]

[0101] Furthermore, the tubular body 2 is configured to be secured at its first end 5, in particular by the first orifice 8, to a pocket containing the semen of the male animal, commonly called a sachet.

[0098]

[0102] In the artificial insemination device 1, the tip 3 is therefore configured to be inserted and positioned in the cervix of the female animal.

[0099]

[0103] The peripheral groove 18 of the tip 3 can be configured to form a kind of deflector in the second flow channel 14 to accelerate the flow of the semen from the male animal at the outlet of the artificial insemination device 1.

[0100]

[0104] Thus, the tip 3 forms a functional end of the artificial insemination device 1, and makes it possible to avoid injuring the female animal with the second end 6 of the tubular body 2.

[0101]

[0105] As indicated above, the artificial insemination device 1 is for single use and here has properties which make it a biodegradable and domestically compostable artificial insemination device 1.

[0102]

[0106] In particular, as visible in Figure 4, the tubular body 2 is formed of an internal envelope 20, here made of paper, and an external envelope 27, here made of a biopolymer material, for example polybutylene succinate adipate, noted PBSA.

[0103]

[0107] The inner casing 20 is provided with an inner sheath 21 and an outer sheath 25.

[0104]

[0108] The inner sheath 21 is formed of a first layer 22, a second layer 23 and a third layer 24, which are each made of paper of a first type having a first weight.

[0105]

[0109] The first layer 22, the second layer 23 and the third layer 24 are each here made of so-called white paper having a first weight of between approximately 80 g / m 2 and about 150 g / m 2 , and for example equal to approximately 120 g / m 2 .

[0106]

[0110] The first layer 22, the second layer 23 and the third layer 24 each have a first thickness of between approximately 100 pm and approximately 220 pm, and for example equal to approximately 160 pm.

[0111] The first layer 22, the second layer 23 and the third layer 24 are here superimposed around each other and coaxial.

[0107]

[0112] In other words, the second layer 23 is superimposed around the first layer 22, and the third layer 24 is superimposed around the second layer 23, with the first layer 22, the second layer 23 and the third layer 24 being coaxial.

[0108]

[0113] Furthermore, at least one of the first layer 22, the second layer 23 and the third layer 24 of the inner sheath 21 is coated with a hydrophobic treatment.

[0109]

[0114] The outer sheath 25 is formed here from a fourth layer 26 of paper of a second type having a second weight different from the first weight.

[0110]

[0115] The fourth layer 26 is here made of opacifying paper, also called kraft paper, having a second weight of between approximately 50 g / m 2 and about 70 g / m 2 , for example equal to approximately 60 g / m 2 .

[0111]

[0116] The fourth layer 26 has a second thickness of between approximately 50 pm and approximately 120 pm, and for example equal to approximately 80 pm.

[0112]

[0117] The outer sheath 25 of the inner casing 20 is superimposed around the inner sheath 21, with the outer sheath 25 and the inner sheath 21 being coaxial.

[0113]

[0118] In other words, the fourth layer 26 of the outer sheath 25 is superimposed around the third layer 24 of the inner sheath 21, with the fourth layer 26 being coaxial with the first layer 22, second layer 23 and third layer 24 of the inner sheath 21.

[0114]

[0119] The internal envelope 20 here has a first cumulative thickness of between approximately 350 pm and approximately 800 pm, and for example equal to approximately 700 pm.

[0115]

[0120] The outer envelope 27, for example made of PBSA, has a third thickness of between approximately 200 pm and approximately 500 pm, and for example equal to approximately 300 pm.

[0116]

[0121] The outer casing 27 covers the inner casing 20 and in particular its outer sheath 25.

[0117]

[0122] In the illustrated example, the outer envelope 27 is superimposed around the fourth layer 26 of the outer sheath 25 of the inner envelope 20.

[0118]

[0123] The tubular body 2 has a second cumulative thickness of between approximately 550 pm and approximately 1300 pm, and for example equal to approximately 1000 pm.

[0119]

[0124] The structure thus described of the inner sheath 21 makes it possible in particular to provide sufficient rigidity to the inner envelope 20 and therefore to the tubular body 2.

[0120]

[0125] This has been demonstrated in particular thanks to bending performance tests, where the tubular body 2 thus formed can bend to form an angle greater than 80°, or even up to 180°, without pinching the first flow channel 7, and therefore without interruption of the flow.

[0126] The structure thus described of the inner sheath 21 also makes it possible to ensure safety with respect to the semen to be transferred.

[0121]

[0127] This was demonstrated in particular through toxicity tests of the tubular body 2, by carrying out successive measurements of the motility of spermatozoa present in a sample of semen which flowed into the tubular body 2 of the artificial insemination device 1.

[0122]

[0128] The structure thus described of the outer sheath 25 also makes it possible to promote adhesion between the inner envelope 20 and the outer envelope 27.

[0123]

[0129] Furthermore, in the artificial insemination device 1, the tubular body 2 is formed of an inner casing 20 and an outer casing 27 which have characteristics of biodegradability and domestic compostability.

[0124]

[0130] In particular, since the inner casing 20 of the tubular body 2 is made of paper and the outer casing 27 is made of a biopolymer material, the artificial insemination device 1 can simply decompose as a result of biological processes in domestic compost, without any particular action other than the action of time.

[0125]

[0131] In other words, the artificial insemination device 1 not only allows its function of assisting in the insemination of livestock, here for pigs, which requires both sufficient rigidity and relative flexibility of the tubular body 2, in other words adequate flexion behavior, for its positioning and maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, but also to be single-use and disposable without any restrictive recyclability condition.

[0126]

[0132] In the artificial insemination device 1, the tip 3 also has characteristics of biodegradability and domestic compostability.

[0127]

[0133] In the example illustrated, tip 3 is composed of at least agar-agar, water, glycerol and also talc.

[0128]

[0134] The tip 3 comprises between approximately 3% by weight and approximately 5% by weight of agar-agar, and for example approximately 3.6% by weight of agar-agar.

[0129]

[0135] Agar-agar is a gelling agent found in the cell walls of certain species of red algae belonging to the Gelidiaceae and Gracilariaceae families. Agar-agar can be in powder form which, when in contact with water, forms a gelatinous mucilage.

[0130]

[0136] Tip 3 comprises between about 40% by weight and about 60% by weight of glycerol.

[0131]

[0137] The tip 3 comprises less than 10% by weight of talc, in particular between approximately 8% by weight and approximately 9% by weight of talc, and for example approximately 8.3% by weight of talc.

[0132]

[0138] Tip 3 comprises between about 25% by weight and about 50% by weight of water.

[0139] The tip 3 has a first length determined in an initial state, and a second length less than the first length determined in a first subsequent state measured approximately 24 hours after the initial state.

[0133]

[0140] This has been demonstrated in particular through aging tests.

[0134]

[0141] According to one example, aging tests on a tip as described above comprising approximately 40% by weight of glycerol and having been stabilized at room temperature, show that an aging equilibrium is reached in approximately 24 hours with a measured loss in length of approximately 4 mm.

[0135]

[0142] According to another example, aging tests on a tip as described above comprising approximately 40% by weight of glycerol and having been stabilized at a temperature of approximately 30°C in a closed enclosure, show that an aging equilibrium is reached in approximately 24 hours with a measured loss in length of approximately 7 mm.

[0136]

[0143] Similar tests were carried out for tips containing approximately 60% glycerol by weight, and aging equilibrium was reached in 24 hours with a measured loss in length of approximately 2 mm and 4 mm respectively.

[0137]

[0144] Furthermore, the tip 3 has a first weight determined in an initial state, and a second weight lower than the first weight determined in a second subsequent state measured between approximately 24 hours and approximately 10 days after the initial state.

[0138]

[0145] The second weight may be less than 20% to less than 50% less than the first determined weight, for tips having between about 40% and about 60% glycerol by weight.

[0139]

[0146] This has also been demonstrated, in particular, through aging tests.

[0140]

[0147] According to one example, aging tests on a tip as described above comprising approximately 40% by weight of glycerol and having been stabilized at room temperature, show that an aging equilibrium was reached in 9 days with a measured weight loss of approximately 45%.

[0141]

[0148] According to another example, aging tests on a tip as described above comprising approximately 40% by weight of glycerol and having been stabilized at a temperature of approximately 30°C in a closed enclosure, show that an aging equilibrium was reached in 24 hours with a measured weight loss of approximately 47%.

[0142]

[0149] Similar tests were carried out for tips containing approximately 60% by weight of glycerol, and aging equilibrium was reached in 9 days at room temperature and in 24 hours at a temperature of approximately 30°C with a measured weight loss of approximately 28% and 27% respectively.

[0143]

[0150] Tip 3 has certain mechanical properties, defined by a Young's modulus of between about 300 kPa and about 500 kPa, and an elongation at break of between about 0.6 and about 0.8, which means that the tip can be elongated between about 60% of its length and about 80% of its length before tearing.

[0144]

[0151] This was demonstrated by mechanical tests, particularly tensile rupture tests, with tips having, as for the tests described above, different mass percentages of glycerol but also different mass percentages of talc and / or different mass percentages of agar-agar, according to different stabilization methods, either at room temperature for 48 hours or without stabilization.

[0145]

[0152] The results of these tests show Young's moduli of about 368 kPa, 443 kPa, 477 kPa and 334 kPa and elongations at break of about 13%, 22%, 63%, 76%, respectively for tips not stabilized with about 40% by weight of glycerol and 3.6% by weight of agar-agar and 8.3% by weight of talc, not stabilized with about 60% by weight of glycerol and 3.6% by weight of agar-agar and 8.3% by weight of talc, stabilized with about 40% by weight of glycerol and 3.6% by weight of agar-agar and 8.3% by weight of talc, and stabilized with about 60% by weight of glycerol and 3.6% by weight of agar-agar and 8.3% by weight of talc, the remainder of the composition of the tip being formed here by water.

[0146]

[0153] Results for similar tests but with tips without talc show mainly lower Young's moduli.

[0147]

[0154] In other words, the talc acts as a filler and helps improve the mechanical properties of the tip 3.

[0148]

[0155] Results for similar tests but with tips having different mass percentages of agar-agar mainly show lower Young's moduli when the tip contains less agar-agar and higher when the tip contains more agar-agar, and conversely an elongation at break which decreases with the addition of agar-agar.

[0149]

[0156] In other words, the tip must contain enough agar-agar to have sufficient mechanical properties and not be brittle.

[0150]

[0157] To demonstrate the biodegradability and domestic compostability of the tubular body 2 and the tip of the artificial insemination device 1, tests according to the ISO 20200 2015 test method were carried out.

[0151]

[0158] The results showed that a domestically composted state was achieved between approximately 1 month and approximately 6 months.

[0152]

[0159] In other words, the artificial insemination device 1 not only allows its function of assisting in the insemination of livestock, here for pigs, which requires both sufficient rigidity and relative flexibility of the tubular body 2, in other words adequate behavior in bending, and also sufficient compressibility and relative hardness of the tip 3 while maintaining stability over time, in particular in terms of mass, for their positioning and their maintenance in the cervix of the female animal, but also to be single-use and disposable without restrictive recyclability conditions.

[0153]

[0160] Variants not shown are described below.

[0154]

[0161] Weight percentages correspond to mass percentages or mass percentages, may have values ​​slightly different from those described above.

[0155]

[0162] The tip may be talc-free.

[0156]

[0163] The tip may have a different shape than described above.

[0157]

[0164] The tip can be fitted onto the tubular body without gluing.

[0158]

[0165] The artificial insemination device can be a cervical or post-cervical type artificial insemination device.

[0159]

[0166] More generally, the invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Claims

Claims 1. Artificial insemination device (1) for livestock, in particular pigs, comprising a tubular body (2) and a tip (3) secured at one end (6) of the tubular body (2) and configured to be inserted and positioned in the cervix of a female animal, characterized in that the tip (3) is composed of at least agar-agar, water and glycerol.

2. Artificial insemination device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises between approximately 3% by weight and approximately 5% by weight of agar-agar.

3. Artificial insemination device according to claim 2, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises approximately 3.6% by weight of agar-agar.

4. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 3, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises between approximately 40% by weight and approximately 60% by weight of glycerol.

5. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 4, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises talc.

6. Artificial insemination device (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises less than 10% by weight of talc.

7. Artificial insemination device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises between approximately 8% by weight and approximately 9% by weight of talc.

8. Artificial insemination device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the tip (3) comprises approximately 8.3% by weight of talc.

9. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the tip (3) has a first length determined in an initial state, and a second length less than the first length determined in a first subsequent state measured approximately 24 hours after the initial state.

10. Artificial insemination device (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the second length is approximately 2 mm to approximately 7 mm less than the first determined length.

11. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the tip (3) has a first weight determined in an initial state, and a second weight less than the first weight determined in a second subsequent state measured between approximately 24 hours and approximately 10 days after the initial state.

12. Artificial insemination device (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the second weight can be less than 20% to less than 50% lower than the first determined weight.

13. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 12, characterized in that the tip (3) has a Young's modulus of between approximately 300 kPa and approximately 500 kPa.

14. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14. 13, characterized in that the tip (3) has an elongation at break of between approximately 0.6 and approximately 0.

8.

15. Artificial insemination device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15. 14, characterized in that the end piece (3) has a through orifice into which the tubular body (2) is introduced by its end (6), which through orifice forms a second flow channel (14) extending a first flow channel (7) of the tubular body (2).

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