A novel semen supplement (SuinFort) improves sow fertility after artificial insemination

Self Cite

Suinfort®, a commercial semen supplement demonstrated to increase fertility and litter size in commercial sows, was tested to improve reproductive performance in Iberian sows. A total of 1430 Iberian sows were artificially inseminated (AI) with semen from Duroc boars and assigned by parity to receive the seminal additive Suinfort® containing 2 IU oxytocin, 5 µg lecirelin, and 2 mM caffeine (SF; n = 1713 AI), or to serve as non-supplemented controls (CON; n = 2625 AI). CON showed a lower fertility comparing to winter for spring (p = 0.001) and summer (p < 0.001); summer was lower than autumn (p = 0.012). SF removed this seasonal effect (p > 0.05). Fertility was significantly higher for SF sows during summer (p = 0.025) and autumn (p = 0.004). Total born, live-born, stillborn, and mummified piglets did not differ between CON and SF but were impacted by the season, with total and live-born decreasing in summer compared with autumn (p < 0.001) and winter (p = 0.005). In conclusion, seminal supplementation with Suinfort® improved the fertility of Iberian sows during periods of seasonal infertility.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…no. WO2018/1002/14), which increases fertility and litter size following AI in sows [ 11 ]. Nonetheless, our previous trials only included typical commercial sows (Landrace × Large White) and, therefore, Suinfort ® remains to be tested in other breeds, particularly Iberian sows.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Suinfort® Semen Supplement Counters Seasonal Infertility in Iberian Sows

Piñán

Martínez‐Pastor

Alegre

et al. 2021

Self Cite

“…Similarly, intra-testicular injection of oxytocin increased basal testosterone level in mice [13]. The addition of oxytocin to boar semen artificial insemination (AI) doses improves both sperm transport to the oviduct and conception rates [14][15][16], but it has no influence on the quality of sperm [15]. In humans, there is an increase in plasma oxytocin levels during, and at 5 min, after ejaculation [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ejaculate Collection Influences the Salivary Oxytocin Concentrations in Breeding Male Pigs

López-Arjona

Padilla

Roca

et al. 2020

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible changes of oxytocin concentrations in saliva during and after ejaculate collection in breeding boars usually used in artificial insemination programs. Saliva samples of 33 boars were collected the day before ejaculate collection (DB), during the ejaculation time (T0) and two hours after ejaculate collection (T2). Free oxytocin and oxytocin linked to proteins concentrations were measured by two methods previously developed and validated for saliva of pigs. Younger boars, boars with higher libido intensity and boars of the Pietrain breed showed higher values of oxytocin in saliva during ejaculation than the day before. In addition, boars with higher libido showed higher concentrations two hours after ejaculate collection than during the day before. These changes were of higher magnitude and significance when oxytocin linked to proteins was measured. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time that ejaculation influences the salivary oxytocin concentrations in breeding boars, although this influence varies according to age, libido and breed.

“…A seasonal effect was not detected in previous studies in which AI was performed using the semen supplement Suinfort ® in commercial breeds (Landrace and Large White boars, and Landrace × Large White sows) [ 23 ]. However, another study on Gochu Asturcelta (a local breed extensively reared) [ 19 ] and on Iberian × Duroc [ 38 ] reported a significant influence of the period of the year on semen freezability and fertility performance, respectively.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…However, the seasonal effect is more important when using breeds with a lower level of genetic selection or in latitudes with a higher thermal or humidity variation [ 11 , 19 , 20 ]. Indeed, we detected a seasonal effect in studies using commercial breeds (Landrace, Large White, and their crosses) [ 21 , 22 , 23 ]. However, when studying the sperm cryopreservation of the autochthonous breed, Gochu Asturcelta (Northern Spain), the seasonal effect was small and, interestingly, it reflected on a lower freezability in winter [ 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Season and Parity on Reproduction Performance of Iberian Sows Bred with Duroc Semen

Piñán

Alegre

Kirkwood

et al. 2021

Self Cite

The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed from the Iberian Peninsula highly valued for its meat. The sows are often bred as Iberian × Duroc crossings for increased efficiency. Since sow parity and season affect the reproductive performance, we evaluated two-year records from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm (live, stillborn, and mummified piglets after artificial insemination, AI). A total of 1293 Iberian sows were inseminated with semen from 57 boars (3024 AI). The effects of parity (gilts, 1, 2–4, 5–10, and >10 farrowings) and season were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models (LME). The data were fitted to cosinor models to investigate seasonal effects within parity groups. The effects of maximum daily temperature (MDT) and day length change (DLC) during spermatogenesis, pre-AI, and post-AI periods were analyzed with LME. The 2–4 group was the optimal one for parity. A seasonal effect was evident between spring–summer (lower fertility/prolificacy) and autumn–winter (higher). Cosinor showed that the seasonal drop in reproductive performance occurs earlier in Iberian sows than in other breeds, more evident in gilts. MDT negatively affected performance in all periods and DLC in spermatogenesis and pre-AI. These results are relevant for the improvement of Iberian sows’ intensive farming.