Radiographs of an extirpated sow reproductive tracts (dorsal view). An artificial insemination pipette (AIP) consists of a spiral tip (ST) that is designed so that it can snugly penetrate the interdigitating prominences (IDP) of the cervix (CX). In the photograph to the right, about 80-ml of radiopaque contrast medium was infused into the reproductive tract to mimic the inseminant (I). Notice that the semen becomes distributed within both uterine horns. High volumes (about 80-ml) are necessary to maximize pregnancies in sows. The vagina (V) and the urinary bladder (UB) can be visualized. LUL= Left Uterine Lumen |