Advances in Breeding Management and Use of Ovulation Induction for Fixed‐time AI

Abstract

ContentsThe objective of the breeding herd is the predictable and consistent production of high quality pigs. To achieve this objective, an appropriate number of females need to be mated in each breeding week and they should maintain their pregnancy and deliver large litters. Many factors can impact achievement of optimal sow productivity, particularly breeding management. Most matings will involve artificial insemination (AI), and successful AI requires deposition into the cervix (or beyond) of sufficient viable high quality sperm at an appropriate time relative to ovulation. This is facilitated by improved knowledge of the sow's ovarian function prior to and during her oestrous period. Realization of the importance of establishing an adequate sperm reservoir in the oviduct at an appropriate time relative to ovulation has led to advances in the management of AI. The future of AI will likely involve insemination of single doses of high genetic merit semen, potentially having a reduced sperm concentration which is made possible by knowledge of the effect of site of sperm deposition on sow fertility. In particular, knowledge of when a sow is likely to ovulate during a natural or induced oestrous period will prove invaluable in the maintenance of herd productivity. This review will examine options for breeding management, including the control of oestrus and ovulation, on sow herd reproductive performance.

Fixed‐time post‐cervical artificial insemination in weaned sows following buserelin use combined with/without eCG

“…The main aim of fixed‐time artificial insemination (FTAI) is to use a single semen dose within a period of 0–24 hr before ovulation (Nissen, Soede, Hyttel, Schmidt, & D'hoore, ; Soede, Wetzels, Zondag, De Koning, & Kemp, ). While using FTAI in swine, an ovulation time control is needed because of the highly variable interval between the oestrous onset and ovulation (Brüssow et al., ; Kirkwood & Kauffold, ). Therefore, it is necessary to use appropriate hormone doses at the right moment for manipulating the ovulation moment.…”

“…Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues or LH/hCG (luteinising hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin) have been efficiently used to induce ovulation in weaned sows (Kirkwood & Kauffold, ). FTAI protocols following the use of porcine LH (pLH), in combination with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) at weaning (Bennet‐Steward, Aramini, Pelland, & Friendship, ; Cassar, Kirkwood, Poljik, Bennett‐Steward, & Friendship, ) or a single pLH application at the onset of oestrus, have been proposed for weaned sows (Fontana et al., ; Ulguim et al., ; Zak et al., ).…”

032 Use of Triptorelin Acetate for Inducing Ovulation and Facilitating Fixed Time Artificial Insemination of Sows Weaned on Small-Scale and Niche Market Pig Farms

“…In this regard, the developmental status of follicles or parity could have affected the responsiveness (i.e., estrus expression) of sows treated with or without P.G. 600 in the current study as reviewed by Kirkwood and Kauffold, 2015. Perhaps P.G.…”

“…This agrees with findings from Weitze et al (1994), who reported that the duration of estrus decreased from 72 h with sows having a WEI less than 4 d to approximately 50 h when the WEI increased to 4.5 to 5 d. Additionally, the EOI also was reduced from 53 h to 39 h at a WEI of 4 to 4.5 to 5 d, respectively. Kirkwood and Kauffold (2015) reviewed the relationships between WEI, onset of estrus, and ovulation.. Sows that have a short WEI (< 4 d) tend to have a longer duration of estrus and ovulate later (late ovulators). Sows that had a longer WEI (> 5 d) tended to have a shorter duration of estrus and ovulate earlier (early ovulators).…”

Will AI in pigs become more efficient?

“…Buserelin® and Goserelin® (acting at pituitary gland level). For more details, including dosage and timetable, see reviews of [18] and [19]. A protocol including porcine LH and single fixed-time AI, 36 h after porcine LH application resulted in farrowing rates of 86.1 % and 10.6 piglets born per litter, comparable to control untreated sows and double AI [20].…”