Improving of pig production by intrauterine artificial insemination and other biotechnological solutions

Abstract

Thanks to constantly increasing human population number during the last few decades, the need for pork meat on market increased dramatically. That requirement made imperative for improvement of swine production efficiency. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to implement new biotechnological procedures and production protocols. The use of artificial insemination (AI) in intensive swine production increased notably during the last 30 years and there is a constant need for improvement of AI technologies. New insemination methods (insemination with frozen-thawed semen, different insemination techniques) as well as modern equipment for analysis (CASA microscope, flow cytometry) and sperms' triage (semen sexing), contributed to obtaining much better production results in modern pig industry. The aim of our research was to evaluate sows' reproductive performances after the usage of intrauterine (IU) insemination with reduced semen volume doses and reduced sperm number, in comparison on classical, intracervical artificial insemination. The experiment included a total of 200 sows from 3 pig farms, which were divided in two groups. Test group (n=100) was inseminated applying intra-uterine (post-cervical) insemination technique with special balooncatheters, while control group (n=100) was inseminated on the usual manner, using intracervical (IC) technique. Insemination in both groups was done after oestrus detection (standing reflex) in the presence of mature boar. For IU artificial insemination had been used chilled semen doses with 1,5 billion of spermatozoain total volume of 50 ml, while for IC insemination of control group had been used standard semen dose of 100 ml and 3 billion spermatozoa. In both groups, insemination had been done once. Insemination with catheter for IU artificial insemination was successful in 89 sows. From the total number of successfully inseminated sows, 84 sows farrowed (94.38 %), while farrowing rate in control group was 78%. Based on results from this experiment, we determined statistical significant (p<0,01) higher number of liveborn piglets after intrauterine insemination (11,00 ± 1,57) with regard to intracervical insemination (10,14 ± 1,10). Applying of intrauterine (postcervical) insemination technique increases a number of spermatozoa that get into oviduct, on site of fertilization. That raises farrowing rate, litter size and number of live born piglets in inseminated sows. In addition, the use of IU catheters decreases semen backflow which allows usage of semen doses of less volume with reduced number of sperm cells. Insemination with this type of IU catheters can't be done if sows aren't in optimal oestrus period. Insemination of double more sows with the same volume of quality semen, better using of genetic material from excellent boars, better assessment of optimal insemination time especially during warm period of the year, are reason good enough for applying IU techniques on pig.