Instrument for artificial insemination, embryo transfer or sampling follicular liquids in mammals

An instrument for artificial insemination or embryo trannsfer by a transperitoneal and/or cervical route or for sampling follicular liquids in mammals, comprising:

• a hollow tubular sheath;
• a piston movable in said sheath in an axial direction of the sheath and forming a fluid-tight seal within the sheath;
• a rigid cover extending around the outer circumference of the sheath and along at least a part of the length of the sheath;
• a needle attached to an anterior end of the sheath and extending past the anterior end of the sheath;
• a handle attached to a posterior end of said sheath;
• a rotary member located on said handle which cooperates with the piston so as to move the piston in the axial direction when the rotary member is rotated;
• a palpator extending around the outer circumference of the cover, said palpator having a length which is greater than the length of the cover, but is less than the combined length of the sheath and the needle, said palpator being movable in the axial direction and being guided by said cover between a covered position where an anterior end of the palpator extends past an end of the needle, and an exposed position where the end of the needle extends past the anterior end of the palpator.