Deep intrauterine insemination and embryo transfer in pigs

A new method for non-surgical deep intrauterine catheterization of pigs, without sedation of the sow, is described. Insemination results obtained with this method using fresh spermatozoa demonstrate that, in comparison to conventional artificial insemination (AI) (3 x 10(9) spermatozoa in 80-100 ml), a 20-60-fold reduction in the number of spermatozoa inseminated and at least a 8-10-fold reduction in the dose volume can be used without affecting fertility if spermatozoa are deposited deep (middle or upper) into one of the uterine horns. Results from deep intrauterine insemination with frozen-thawed spermatozoa and flow-sorted spermatozoa are also presented and the effect of deep intrauterine insemination on sperm transport is discussed. In addition, a brief description of the advances made in non-surgical embryo transfer technology is reported.