Effect of incidents associated to post-cervical artificial insemination on reproductive performance of sows

Abstract

Different issues associated to post-cervical artificial insemination (PCAI) in sows such as bleeding, suppuration, or semen backflow and their impact on the farm reproductive parameters were evaluated. PCAI of 1991 Large White × Landrace multiparous sows were realised in a commercial pig farm in Tauste (Zaragoza, Spain). The parameters studied were: the cycle of the sow (parity); need to perform three or more inseminations per cycle; presence of bleeding or suppurations after insemination, semen backflow; abortions; farrowing rate; returns on heat, total alive, dead and weaned piglets per litter. The results showed that the cycle of the sow was significantly associated with the need to perform three or more inseminations per cycle, a lower farrowing rate, more abortions, lower number of total, alive and weaned born piglets per litter. Furthermore, bleeding was related to a lower total and alive born piglets per litter as well as to the sow cycle number.

Single Fixed-Time Post-Cervical Insemination in Gilts with Buserelin

“…The frequencies of problems during AI (difficult probe passage, semen backflow, metritis, and bleeding) did not differ significantly between groups (C: 21.9% and T: 14.8%; p > 0.05). These results suggest that the use of a specific probe by a qualified technician did not result in severe lesions in the cervix of gilts, confirming previous reports [40]. Post-cervical insemination provides a number of advantages, such as a reduced sperm number requirement, and therefore, it can be used in new FTAI protocols to accelerate genetic improvement programs [7].…”