The consumption of sheep products continues to increase in the U.S., but instead of making our farmers more prosperous, we have become a net importer of meat, cheese, and wool

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $650,000 to Membrane Protective Technologies, Inc. on September 1, 2026, under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program / Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program (CFDA 10.212).

The recipient is developing a commercially viable cervical softening agent and delivery method to enable artificial insemination in sheep using frozen semen. Phase I demonstrated a 94% first-ring cervical passage rate, 73% uterine body passage, and an average 64% pregnancy rate in preliminary breeding trials. Phase II work, performed in Fort Collins, Colorado through August 31, 2028, focuses on developing commercially relevant methodologies including estrus synchronization protocols, insemination timing guidance, commercial delivery aids, and quality-control procedures for the softening agent. The developed product is intended to reduce antibiotic use, improve animal welfare, and enable U.S. sheep producers to compete internationally by using genetically superior rams via frozen semen, addressing the current reliance on live cover or invasive laparoscopic insemination that limits genetic progress in domestic flocks.

One reason for this is the lack of genetic progress in improving U.S. Commercial flocks. The current method of insemination in commercial sheep is the use of a RAM (live cover) or the use of laparoscopic insemination. This is an invasive, stressful event that is generally too expensive for commercial sheep producers. Reliance on live cover means the most productive rams cannot be used to improve U.S. Flocks. The problem is EWE anatomy; a sheep cervix is twisted and difficult to traverse with an artificial insemination rod. The current project is focused on bringing sheep reproduction on PAR with other livestock where cervical insemination enables use of frozen semen from anywhere in the world. Our solution is focused on transforming the cervical softening agent and delivery method developed in phase I into a commercially robust product in phase II. Phase I demonstrated a 94% first ring, and 73% uterine body passage plus an average 64% pregnancy rate in two preliminary breeding trials using the technology. Phase II will focus on development of commercially relevant methodologies to enable implementation of this low-cost technique including estrus synchronization, insemination timing, commercial aids, and quality control for the softening agent. The developed product will reduce antibiotic use, improve animal well-being, and enable U.S. Sheep producers to compete internationally, and gain financially.