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stations (stallion of undoui)te(l fertility, mares healthy, pairing season 

 about three months, condition of mares ascertained and repeated in- 

 semination effected) is higher than in natural coition with the very same 

 stallions and reaches on an average 78 % . Single insemination, without 

 repeated injections to follow it during the period of " heat," gives only 

 25 % of conceptions. Conception as a result of the mare being insemi- 

 nated outside the period of "heat" is an exception. In cases of persistent 

 barrenness, due to some anatomical irregularity in the construction of 

 the mare's genital organs, artifical insemination is a very efficient means 

 of bringing about conce])tiou. The technical side of artificial in.semination 

 is sufficiently simple to be used under conditions prevalent on Russian 

 pairing stations, to say nothing of stud-farms, and can be applied not 

 only to horses but also to other domestic animals. Artificial insemination, 

 when the necessary precautions are taken, removes the possibility of 

 infection. Pregnancy and delivery are normal. The young in appearance, 

 size, strength, capacity for work and fertility do not deviate from the 

 normal, and such broods have produced a number of winners on the race- 

 course (Dubrovski stud-farm), and in Askania-Nova over 50 horses, 

 produced by artificial insemination, were bought for the cavalry and 

 artillery at highest prices. Finally, it was proved beyond doubt that the 

 peasants are quick to learn the advantages of such a method and that 

 its wide use all over Russia is ultimately, therefore, fairly certain. 



With the establishment in 1909 of the above-mentioned laboratory 

 (Physiological Section of the Laboratory of the Veterinary Department 

 and Zootechnical Station in Askania-Nova) the aims of wliich, in addition 

 to the investigation of scientific and practical problems of the physiology 

 and biology of insemination, included also the popularization of the 

 method of artificial insemination and aid for institutions and persons 

 desirous of using this method — the possibility of acquiring fuller and 

 wider knowledge of the method was afforded to specialists (veterinary 

 surgeons and zootechnicians) and amateurs. A special course of lectures 

 was given here on the physiology and biology of insemination, on problems 

 of heredity, and practical work was done on artificial insemination of 

 domestic animals. During the period from 1909 to 1919 over 400 persons, 

 mainly veterinary surgeons, availed themselves of the opportunity of 

 becoming familiar with artificial insemination. Some of these people 

 have made practical use of this method. 



The work of the physiological section, in particular the work in 

 connection with artificial insemination, attracted attention abroad, and 

 a number of specialists (professors and surgeons) were sent to Russia 



