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Collection of Post-mating Semen from the Female Reproductive Tract and Measurement of Semen Liquefaction in Mice
Published on: November 18, 2017
Semen controlled-release capsules allow a single artificial insemination in sows
D Vigo1, M Faustini, S Villani
1Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Veterinarie per la Sicurezza Alimentare, University of Milan, 20133 Milan, Italy.
Theriogenology
|June 10, 2009
Summary
Controlled-release capsules optimize boar sperm preservation and artificial insemination efficiency. This method achieved higher farrowing rates in sows compared to conventional techniques, improving swine reproduction.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Artificial insemination (AI) is crucial for swine reproduction.
- Extending boar spermatozoa viability and optimizing AI protocols are key challenges.
- Current AI methods can be labor-intensive and require multiple inseminations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate controlled-release capsules for boar spermatozoa.
- To assess the efficacy of these capsules in improving artificial insemination outcomes in sows.
- To compare the reproductive performance using capsules versus conventional AI techniques.
Main Methods:
- Development of controlled-release capsules for boar spermatozoa preservation.
- A large-scale field trial involving 4245 sows.
- Comparison of single insemination with capsules against double/triple conventional AI.
- Statistical analysis accounting for season, spermatozoa amount, and weaning-to-estrus interval.
Main Results:
- Controlled-release capsules maintained boar spermatozoa viability for extended periods.
- Single insemination with capsules yielded similar pregnancy rates to multiple conventional inseminations.
- A significantly higher parturition frequency was observed with the controlled-release capsule method.
- No significant differences in prolificacy (number of piglets born) were noted between methods.
Conclusions:
- Controlled-release capsules offer an effective method for single-dose artificial insemination in pigs.
- This technology optimizes boar spermatozoa utilization and enhances reproductive efficiency in swine.
- The instrumental insemination with controlled-release capsules represents a significant advancement in swine breeding technology.
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