Which of the following processes involves collecting sperm cells from a male animal and manually depositing them into the reproductive tract of a female?

The process described in the question is artificial insemination. This technique involves the collection of sperm cells from a male animal and then manually depositing those sperm into the female's reproductive tract, facilitating the potential for fertilization without the need for natural mating. Artificial insemination allows for improved genetic selection, management of breeding programs, and can enhance reproductive efficiency in both livestock and companion animals.

Natural mating, on the other hand, refers to the traditional process where a male and female mate naturally without any human intervention involving the collection and artificial introduction of sperm. In vitro fertilization involves the fertilization of an egg outside the female's body, which is distinct from the process described. Lastly, oocyte retrieval focuses on collecting eggs from a female, not on the introduction of sperm. Overall, artificial insemination is specifically characterized by the manual collection and deposition of sperm, making it the correct answer to the question.