Practical experience with commercial embryo transfer in pigs

Embryo transfer was used to introduce new genetic material into 5 commercial specific-pathogen-free pig herds in south eastern Queensland in order to reduce the risk of disease transmission. The embryos were collected surgically from gilts and sows and transferred surgically to synchronised recipient sows on the farms within 12 h. A total of 751 embryos were collected from 37 donors of which 665 were transferred to 39 recipients. Thirty-one (79.5%) farrowed with an average litter size of 8.1 +/- 3.0. The methods used to synchronise oestrus and superovulate the donors, together with a detailed description of the surgical technique are presented and discussed in relation to practical problems and limitations of the use of embryo transfer in swine.