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Posted: 23rd April 2013

Artificial insemination for giant panda
High hopes after Edinburgh Zoo performs procedure

The UK's first ever artificial insemination on a giant panda has been carried out at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.

Tian Tian, the female giant panda, had a 36-hour window to breed after she ovulated on Saturday, April 20. However, she and her partner Yang Guang were not able to mate.

It was decided that artificial insemination would be the best step to take, following advice given by Chinese panda mating expert, Professor Wang, of the China Conservation and Research Centre.

Early on Sunday, April 21, Tian Tian's uterus was injected with semen, as part of the overall global panda conservation effort.

A team of world experts in artificial insemination and reproduction management helped the RZSS veterinary surgeons, scientific and animal staff perform the procedure.

To prevent anaphylactic shock, thawed semen must be used first. Since there was not enough frozen semen belonging to Yang Guang, a sample belonging to Berlin Zoo's Bao Bao was also used.

Iain Valentine, RZSS's director of giant pandas, said: "It would have been amazing if the pandas had mated naturally, however, artificial insemination is the next best thing for the overall global conservation effort and the individual biology of Tian Tian, our female.

"With every year that goes by where she does not become pregnant, it becomes harder for her to become pregnant naturally."

Valentine added that both pandas are doing well and that the procedure went to plan.

It will not be known whether the insemination has been a success until late July to early August.



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