Abstract
Simple SummaryConventional practice is to breed sows by artificial insemination (AI) at least twice using approximately three billion sperm per insemination. Sows may be bred only once using the technique of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) if ovulation is predictable. This research explored the use of combining a single fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) and an alternative insemination catheter design that reportedly reduces semen backflow in order to reduce semen dosage and maintain reproduction efficiency. The FTAI technique used in this study involved two hormone treatments, 80 h apart, after weaning followed by a single insemination. The two catheters used in this study were a conventional foam-tipped insemination catheter and a Gedis catheter, which is designed to be completely inserted into the vagina of the sow. The semen is enclosed along the length of the catheter and held in place by a gel cap that melts when inserted into the cervix. Sows were assigned to the following treatments: Group 1 (n = 135), bred twice with a conventional catheter and a standard semen dose of approximately three billion sperm in 80 mL; Group 2 (n = 123), FTAI with conventional catheter and a standard semen dose; Group 3 (n = 127), FTAI with Gedis catheter and a standard semen dose; Group 4 (n = 126), FTAI with Gedis catheter and a reduced semen dose with approximately one billion sperm. The farrowing rates were 81.6%, 77.7%, 74.0%, and 62.7% for Groups 1 to 4, respectively. Litter sizes of Group 3 and Group 4 were smaller than Group 1. Overall, the combination of Gedis catheter and FTAI resulted in decreased reproductive performance that outweighed the value of using less semen.Conventional practice is to breed sows by artificial insemination (AI) at least twice using approximately three billion sperm per insemination upon estrus at standing heat. This research explored the use of combined technologies, including fixed-time insemination (FTAI) and an alternative catheter design that reportedly reduces semen backflow, in order to reduce the number of inseminations and the semen dosage and maintain reproductive efficiency. The FTAI technique used in this study was to inject I.M. 600 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at weaning and 5 mg porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) to stimulate ovulation 80 h later, followed by a single insemination 36 h after the pLH injection. The two catheters used in this study were a conventional foam-tipped insemination catheter and a Gedis catheter. The Gedis catheter is designed to be completely inserted into the vagina. The semen is enclosed along the length of the rod and held in place by a gel cap that melts when inserted into the cervix. Sows were assigned to the following treatments: Group 1 (n = 135), bred twice with a conventional catheter and a standard semen dose of approximately three billion sperm in 80 mL; Group 2 (n = 123), FTAI with conventional catheter and a standard semen dose; Group 3 (n = 127), FTAI with Gedis catheter and a standard semen dose; Group 4 (n = 126), FTAI with Gedis catheter and a reduced semen dose with one billion sperm. The farrowing rates were 81.6%, 77.7%, 74.0%, and 62.7% for Groups 1 to 4, respectively. The likelihood of farrowing was lower for Group 3 and Group 4 compared to Group 1 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.57; p = 0.08 and OR = 0.35; p = 0.001, respectively). Likewise, litter size of Group 3 and Group 4 was smaller than Group 1 (p = 0.006 and p = 0.04, respectively). Overall, the combination of Gedis catheter and FTAI resulted in decreased reproductive performance that outweighed the value of using less semen.
Highlights
Conventional practice is to breed sows by artificial insemination (AI) at least twice using approximately three billion sperm per insemination upon estrus at standing heat
Single, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) of weaned sows can result in reproductive performance that is comparable to traditional multiple inseminations [1,2,3,4]
The combined effect of using the Gedis catheter and FTAI did not provide superior reproductive performance compared to double mating with the foam-tipped catheter
Summary
Conventional practice is to breed sows by artificial insemination (AI) at least twice using approximately three billion sperm per insemination upon estrus at standing heat. Single, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) of weaned sows can result in reproductive performance that is comparable to traditional multiple inseminations [1,2,3,4]. FTAI can be done following stimulation of ovulation, or by synchronizing both estrus and ovulation in weaned sows and gilts. Significant labour savings can be achieved as well as a narrower window of farrowing time resulting in more uniform-sized piglets at weaning. The high degree of predictability resulted in better pregnancy and farrowing rates in treated sows/gilts with a single FTAI than control sows that were inseminated twice
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