Assessment of Libido and Semen Quality of Boar by using Low-cost Portable Wooden Dummy Sow

Abstract

Background: Artificial Insemination in pigs is much easier than other domestic species but the training of boar for the collection of semen is a big constraint. Certain boars are not acquainted with the fixed steel dummy sow and the surrounding environment. Hence, the dummy sows brought in the boar’s pen. The steel dummy sow in comparison to wooden is too heavy and found difficult to bring in a boar’s pen. Moreover, the wooden dummy sows are locally made and it becomes cost-effective too. The present study was designed to assess the libido and semen quality of boars by using locally made low-cost portable wooden dummy sows. Methods: The study was conducted on 16 numbers of Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Mizoram local Zovawk crossbred boars at the age of 10-12 months. The semen collection was done by using a homemade portable “wooden dummy sow” and steel made “fixed dummy sow.” The training was done every morning before feeding and semen was collected twice a week by using the gloved hand method when the boars mounted over the dummy sow by holding protruded and erected corkscrew end of the penis firmly. During collection, libido characteristics of the boars were recorded and semen quality was determined. Result: The duration of training taken by the boars for semen collection was significantly (P less than 0.01) less in portable wooden dummies. The sexual behaviour and other behavioural traits were better when boars were trained on a portable wooden dummy. The mean semen volume, sperm mass activity, pH and sperm concentration of LWY crossbred boar was not significantly different between fixed steel and portable wooden dummy. The percentage of initial sperm motility and intact acrosome of boar spermatozoa was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in portable wooden dummy. In conclusion, the homemade portable “wooden dummy sow” was found to be very effective for the training and collection of semen from breedingboars.