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Adi YK, Taechamaeteekul P, Kesdangsakonwut S, Tienthai P, Kirkwood RN, Tummaruk P. Exploring Hyperprolific Sows: A Study of Gross Morphology of Reproductive Organs and Oxytocin Receptor Distribution across Parities. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1846. [PMID: 38997958 PMCID: PMC11240664 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the gross morphology of reproductive organs and oxytocin receptor distribution across different parities in hyperprolific sows. A total of thirty-two reproductive organs from Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows were categorized into three groups based on parity numbers: 1 (n = 10), 2-5 (n = 12), and ≥6 (n = 10). All sows were culled due to management problems, and none had reproductive disorders. A gross morphology examination of the ovaries, uterus, and the rest of the reproductive tract was conducted. Using immunohistochemistry, the levels of oxytocin receptor were evaluated in five layers of the uterus, the epithelial, superficial glandular, deep glandular, and circular and longitudinal smooth muscles of the myometrium, and were quantified using an H-score. On average, the age and body weight of sows and the total number of piglets born per litter were 799.8 ± 327.8 days, 213.2 ± 31.7 kg, and 15.5 ± 4.8, respectively. The numbers of ovulations in sows in parity number 1 (19.9 ± 2.4) were lower than those in sows in parity numbers 2-5 (29.7 ± 2.0, p = 0.004) and ≥6 (27.7 ± 2.1, p = 0.022). The uterine weights of sows in parity number 1 (902.9 ± 112.5 g) were lower than those of parity numbers 2-5 (1442.1 ± 111.8 g, p = 0.001) and ≥6 (1394.3 ± 125.1 g, p = 0.004). The length of the uterus in sows with parity number 1 (277.9 ± 26.1 cm) was shorter than those in sows with parity numbers 2-5 (354.6 ± 25.9 cm, p = 0.033) and tended to be shorter than those in sows with parity numbers ≥ 6 (346.6 ± 29.0 cm, p = 0.068). The immunolocalization of oxytocin receptors could be detected in various parts of the porcine endometrium and myometrium. Among the five tissue layers of the uterus, the H-score of oxytocin receptors in the deep uterine glands was greater than in the superficial uterine glands (p = 0.023) and the circular muscle layer of the myometrium (p = 0.011), but it did not differ from the epithelial layer of the endometrium (p = 0.428) or the longitudinal muscle layer of the myometrium (p = 0.081). Sows with parity numbers ≥ 6 had a lower oxytocin receptor H-score than those with parity numbers 1 (p < 0.001) and 2-5 (p < 0.001). In conclusion, these data emphasize the notable variations in several reproductive parameters and the levels of oxytocin receptor within the uterus of hyperprolific sows. Across the majority of uterine tissue layers, there was a marked decrease in the H-score of the oxytocin receptor in the older sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosua Kristian Adi
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Preechaphon Taechamaeteekul
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sawang Kesdangsakonwut
- CU-Animal Fertility Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Paisan Tienthai
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Roy N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Bortolozzo FP, Zanin GP, Christ TS, Rech RD, da Rosa Ulguim R, Mellagi APG. Artificial insemination and optimization of the use of seminal doses in swine. Anim Reprod Sci 2024:107501. [PMID: 38782677 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The optimization of processes associated with artificial insemination (AI) is of great importance for the success of the pig industry. Over the last two decades, great reproductive performance has been achieved, making further significant progress limited. Optimizing the AI program, however, is essential to the pig industry's sustainability. Thus, the aim is not only to reduce the number of sperm cells used per estrous sow but also to improve some practical management in sow farms and boar studs to transform the high reproductive performance to a more efficient program. As productivity is mainly influenced by the number of inseminated sows, guaranteeing a constant breeding group and with healthy animals is paramount. In the AI studs, all management must ensure conditions to the health of the boars. Some strategies have been proposed and discussed to achieve these targets. A constant flow of high-quality and well-managed breeding groups, quality control of semen doses produced, more reliable technology in the laboratory routine, removal of less fertile boars, the use of intrauterine AI, the use of a single AI with control of estrus and ovulation (fixed-time AI), estrus detection based on artificial intelligence technologies, and optimization regarding the use of semen doses from high genetic-indexed boars are some strategies in which improvement is sought. In addition to these new approaches, we must revisit the processes used in boar studs, semen delivery network, and sow farm management for a more efficient AI program. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities in adopting some technologies to achieve satisfactory reproductive performance and efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Pandolfo Bortolozzo
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil.
| | - Gabriela Piovesan Zanin
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Thaís Spohr Christ
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Dalmina Rech
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Rafael da Rosa Ulguim
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gonçalves Mellagi
- Department of Animal Medicine, Veterinary Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, Avenida Bento Gonçalves, 9090, Porto Alegre, RS CEP 91540-000, Brazil
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Mellagi APG, Will KJ, Quirino M, Bustamante-Filho IC, Ulguim RDR, Bortolozzo FP. Update on artificial insemination: Semen, techniques, and sow fertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:601-611. [PMID: 36063484 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Over the years, reproductive efficiency in the swine industry has focused on reducing the sperm cell number required per sow. Recent advances have included the identification of subfertile boars, new studies in extended semen quality control, new catheters and cannulas for intrauterine artificial insemination (AI), and fixed-time AI under commercial use. Therefore, it is essential to link field demands with scientific studies. In this review, we intend to discuss the current status of porcine AI, pointing out challenges and opportunities to improve reproductive efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P G Mellagi
- Setor de Suínos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Kelly J Will
- Setor de Suínos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Monike Quirino
- Setor de Suínos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ivan C Bustamante-Filho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia da Reprodução Animal, Programa de Pós-graduação em Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Rafael da R Ulguim
- Setor de Suínos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Fernando P Bortolozzo
- Setor de Suínos, Faculdade de Veterinária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Güths MF, Siqueira HA, Montes JH, Moreira F, Rizzoto G, Peripolli V, Tutida YH, Lucia T, Irgang R, Kich JD, Bianchi I. Removal or substitution of in feed antimicrobials in swine production. Prev Vet Med 2022; 205:105696. [PMID: 35753200 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Antimicrobial substitutes are being used in pig production systems, to maintain the health of the animals without compromising their performance. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of either the removal of in feed antimicrobials or their substitution for feed additives, at the nursery and growing/finishing stages. At weaning, 1091 piglets were sexed, vaccinated, homogenized by weight and allocated to six treatments during the nursery stage (26-63 d): T1- feed with no antimicrobials nor additives; T2 - feed with antimicrobials; T3 - feed with prebiotic; T4 - feed with probiotic; T5 - feed with essential oils; T6 - feed with organic acids. The same treatments were applied to 840 pigs during the growing/finishing stages (64-167 d). There was no effect of the treatments on feed conversion at the nursery (P = 0.222) and the growing/finishing (P = 0.809) stages. The average daily gain did not differ across treatments in the nursery (P = 0.342) and in growing/finishing (P = 0.050). The cost of the interventions with injectable drugs was not different between the treatments neither at the nursery (P = 0.990) nor at the growing/finishing (P = 0.310). However, the pneumonia and pleurisy index for all treatments was equal or above 1.0, which indicates a respiratory challenge. There was an increase in the cost with antimicrobials or additives per kg of feed produced, which impacts the cost per kg of pig produced. In conclusion, the removal of antimicrobials in pig diets is financially feasible and their substitution by additives did not impact growing performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelo Felipe Güths
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Helloa Alaide Siqueira
- Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Araquari, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Julia Helena Montes
- Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Araquari, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Moreira
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Araquari, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Rizzoto
- Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Campus de Botucatu, 18618-681, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Peripolli
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Araquari, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
| | - Yuso Henrique Tutida
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Thomaz Lucia
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Campus Capão do Leão, 96010-900 Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Renato Irgang
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, 88034-000 Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Jalusa Deon Kich
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Embrapa Suínos e Aves, 89715-899 Concórdia, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - I Bianchi
- Curso de Pós-Graduação em Produção e Sanidade Animal (PPGPSA), Instituto Federal Catarinense, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil; Instituto Federal Catarinense, Campus Araquari, 89245-000 Araquari, Santa Catarina, Brazil
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Should All Fractions of the Boar Ejaculate Be Prepared for Insemination Rather Than Using the Sperm Rich Only? BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11020210. [PMID: 35205077 PMCID: PMC8869087 DOI: 10.3390/biology11020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The swine industry is constantly looking for efficiency improvement, especially focusing on the artificial insemination (AI) process. One of the trends in AI centers is to maximize the number of doses obtained from one ejaculate. Seminal doses are usually prepared with the sperm-rich fraction or the whole ejaculate, but further studies are needed to understand how to prepare them properly. Thus, this study aims to analyze how accumulative ejaculate fractions may influence sperm storage, AI performance, and offspring. The results indicate that the presence of all ejaculate fractions within seminal doses does not affect either sperm quality or AI performance and offspring health. Therefore, this study highlights the possibility to use the bulk ejaculate for seminal dose preparation, leading to successful AI. Additionally, it results in a more time-efficient preparation of a greater number of seminal doses providing an economic advantage. Abstract Boar ejaculate is released in several well-characterized fractions, differing in terms of sperm concentration, seminal plasma volume, and composition. However, the inclusion of the last part of the ejaculate for artificial insemination (AI) purposes is still under debate due to its controversial effects. Thus, there is a need to study the potential synergistic impact of the different ejaculate fractions. We aimed to evaluate the effect of accumulative ejaculate fractions on sperm conservation, AI performance, and offspring health. Ejaculates (n = 51) were collected and distributed as follows: F1: sperm-rich fraction; F2: sperm-rich + intermediate fractions; F3: sperm-rich + intermediate + poor fractions. Each group was diluted in a commercial extender, packaged in seminal doses (2000 × 106 sperm/60 mL), and stored at ~16 °C. On day 3 of conservation, sperm were analyzed and used for AI (n = 174). High sperm quality was observed after storage without a significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). Moreover, no differences were obtained for AI performance (pregnancy and farrowing rates, and litter size; p > 0.05) and offspring health (growth and blood analysis; p > 0.05). Conclusively, the presence of all ejaculate fractions within the seminal doses does not impair the reproductive performance, reporting important economic savings according to the economic model included here.
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López-Albors O, Llamas-López PJ, Ortuño JÁ, Latorre R, García-Vázquez FA. In vivo measurement of pH and CO 2 levels in the uterus of sows through the estrous cycle and after insemination. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3194. [PMID: 33542361 PMCID: PMC7862298 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-82620-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The pH-CO2-HCO3- system is a ubiquitous biological regulator with important functional implications for reproduction. Knowledge of the physiological values of its components is relevant for reproductive biology and the optimization of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). However, in situ measurements of these parameters in the uterus are scarce or null. This study describes a non-invasive method for in situ time-lapse recording of pH and CO2 within the uterus of non-anesthetized sows. Animals were at three different reproductive conditions, estrous with no insemination and two hours after insemination, and diestrous. From pH and CO2 data, HCO3- concentration was estimated. The non-invasive approach to the porcine uterus with novel optical probes allowed the obtaining of in situ physiological values of pH, CO2, and HCO3-. Variable oscillatory patterns of pH, CO2 and HCO3- were found independently of the estrous condition. Insemination did not immediately change the levels of uterine pH, CO2 (%) and HCO3- concentration, but all the values were affected by the estrous cycle decreasing significantly at diestrous condition. This study contributes to a better understanding of the in vivo regulation of the pH-CO2-HCO3- system in the uterus and may help to optimize the protocols of sperm treatment for in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio López-Albors
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain
| | - Pedro José Llamas-López
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Ángel Ortuño
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rafael Latorre
- grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Anatomy and Comparative Pathology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Alberto García-Vázquez
- International Excellence Campus for Higher Education and Research (Campus Mare Nostrum), Murcia, Spain ,grid.10586.3a0000 0001 2287 8496Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain ,grid.452553.0Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia, IMIB-Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
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Will KJ, Silveira DF, Musskopf MN, Mellagi APG, Bortolozzo FP, Kummer R, Ulguim RDR. Reproductive performance in gilts following applications of different insemination doses and techniques. Theriogenology 2020; 160:26-32. [PMID: 33171349 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated the applicability of intrauterine artificial insemination (IUAI) in gilts and the impact of age at insemination and different body characteristics of gilts on the success rate for cannula insertion. Additionally, reproductive performance was evaluated for IUAI and cervical artificial insemination (CAI), considering different semen dose sizes. A total of 636 gilts were assigned in a 2 × 2 factorial design: two artificial insemination techniques (CAI and IUAI) and two semen dose sizes (1.5 × 109 sperm cells/50 mL or 2.5 × 109 sperm cells/80 mL). In those gilts assigned to IUAI (n = 319) the success rate for intrauterine cannula insertion was evaluated according to weight at first detected estrus, body condition score (BCS), and age at insemination. Reproductive performance, occurrence of bleeding, and semen backflow during all inseminations were compared among groups (2 × 2). Two subgroups were evaluated regarding the time expended to perform insemination (n = 380), and the semen backflow collected during 1 h after insemination (n = 114). The success rate for intrauterine cannula insertion, based on a successful insertion in all inseminations performed during estrus, was 58.9%. Additionally, greater possibility (>60%; P ≤ 0.04) of cannula insertion was observed in heavier gilts (≥124 kg), as well as in older gilts (≥225 d) and those with greater BCS (>3). There were no differences among the groups in pregnancy rate (≥95.3%; P = 0.23), farrowing rate (≥93.7%; P = 0.54), total piglets born (≥14.5; P = 0.45), as well as, bleeding (P = 0.48) and backflow (P = 0.48) during insemination. However, the percentage of semen backflow volume and percentage of sperm cells in the backflow were lower in gilts inseminated by CAI with 1.5 billion sperm cells/50 mL (P < 0.01) than in the other groups. There was no expressive reduction in time expended to perform IUAI compared to CAI. However, gilts inseminated with 1.5 billion sperm cells/50 mL showed a lower total time to inseminate than all other groups (P < 0.01). In conclusion, higher weight, BCS, and age increased the success rate for cannula insertion. However, IUAI did not optimize the insemination procedure, and remains limited for gilts due to the low success rate for cannula insertion. Reproductive performance was not affected by IUAI or CAI using 1.5 or 2.5 billion sperm cells in 50 or 80 mL, respectively, suggesting the possibility of using CAI with 1.5 billion sperm cells/50 mL in gilts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Jaqueline Will
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Danielle Fermo Silveira
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariáh Negri Musskopf
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ana Paula Gonçalves Mellagi
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernando Pandolfo Bortolozzo
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Rafael Kummer
- Master Agroindustrial, CEP 89560-000, Videira, SC, Brazil
| | - Rafael da Rosa Ulguim
- Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Faculdade de Veterinária, Setor de Suínos, Av. Bento Gonçalves, 9090, CEP 91540-000, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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Post-cervical artificial insemination in porcine: The technique that came to stay. Theriogenology 2019; 129:37-45. [PMID: 30797138 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The porcine industry is of great importance worldwide, and so any technological innovation in one or more of the associated production areas is of interest for meat production. Among such innovations in the reproduction area, post-cervical or intrauterine artificial insemination (PCAI) has emerged as a new approach in artificial insemination (AI). PCAI is gradually replacing traditional cervical insemination (CAI), particularly in countries with intensive pig production industries. This type of insemination, which deposits the semen in the body of the uterus (as opposed to traditional cervical deposition), is increasingly used in the field due to its simplicity and the numerous advantages that it provides at production level (e.g. reduced number of sperm, less time required to perform insemination and faster genetic improvement) and, consequently, from an economic point of view. In addition, since its inception, PCAI has been combined with other reproductive biotechnologies, such as the use of frozen-thawed sperm, fixed-time AI or sperm-mediated gene transfer. However, despite its wide acceptance and application, new approaches for increasing the efficiency of PCAI are constantly being sought, such as the adjustment and standardization in sperm numbers, the conservation of the PCAI semen dose, its association with other biotechnologies (sex-sorted sperm) or its efficacy in young (nulliparous and primiparous) females.
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Llamas-López PJ, López-Úbeda R, López G, Antinoja E, García-Vázquez FA. A new device for deep cervical artificial insemination in gilts reduces the number of sperm per dose without impairing final reproductive performance. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2019; 10:11. [PMID: 30774949 PMCID: PMC6364433 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-019-0313-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of a new artificial insemination (AI) device specifically designed for gilts (Deep cervical AI, Dp-CAI) by means of which the sperm is deposited deeply in the cervix (8 cm more cranial than in traditional cervical insemination-CAI). New AI techniques have arisen in recent decades in the porcine industry, such as post-cervical artificial insemination (PCAI), which involves depositing the sperm in the body of the uterus [through a catheter (outer tube)-cannula (inner tube)] rather than by CAI. Although the PCAI method has been successfully applied in farm conditions to reduce sperm doses without impairing the reproductive performance, this technique has limitations in gilts mainly because of the difficulty involved in introducing the inner cannula through the cranial part of the cervix. For this reason, the Dp-CAI method described herein may be considered as an alternative to CAI and PCAI methods in gilts. Results Gilts were divided in two experimental groups: 1) Dp-CAI: gilts (n = 1166) inseminated using 1.5 × 109 sperm/45 mL; 2) CAI (as a control group): gilts (n = 130) inseminated using 2.5 × 109 sperm/85 mL. The Dp-CAI method was successfully applied in 88.90% of the gilts, with no differences detected between gilts with 1 or 2 previous oestrus cycles, although the catheter could be introduced more deeply in 2 oestrus gilts (P < 0.05). As the length of the insemination device that could not be introduced increased (at the moment of insemination), so the success rate of the Dp-CAI device fell, as did the total number of piglets born. When the reproductive output in CAI and Dp-CAI was compared, none of the parameters analysed [pregnancy and farrowing rates (%), and number of piglets born (total and live)] showed significant differences. Conclusions The use of the Dp-CAI technique provides a new AI method as an alternative to CAI and PCAI for pigs. The device, especially designed for gilts, was used with a high degree of success reducing conventional sperm doses without impairing reproductive parameters. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40104-019-0313-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro J Llamas-López
- 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Rebeca López-Úbeda
- 2Department of Cell Biology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.,3Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | | | | | - Francisco A García-Vázquez
- 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary, Campus Mare Nostrum, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.,3Institute for Biomedical Research of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
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