Differences in Mating between a Boar, Traditional Artificial Insemination, and Post Cervical Insemination

As populations around the globe are growing the demand for pork protein in the human diet is increasing. Technologies utilized in 1990s such as artificial insemination have improved our capabilities to produce leaner carcasses. Utilizing superior genetics and breeding techniques as tools to improve growth rates, feed efficiency, and carcass quality is imperative for the swine industry to successful meet today’s economic challenges. To capture the use of superior genetics an artificial insemination process called post cervical AI (PCAI) allows for lower sperm totals per dose. This gives the opportunity for the superior sires to breed many more sows. Understanding the physiology of what happens to sperm cells within a sow’s reproductive tract is important. A comparison between an ejaculate from a boar to a dose of semen inseminated from traditional AI or PCAI catheters helps to make the new breeding techniques more successful. Data supports that PCAI allows the use of lower number of sperm cell in a dose of semen with successful results. Advantages of PCAI are: • Need fewer boars to service the same number of sows • Able to select higher estimated breeding value (EBV) boars • Production means are improved for finishing pigs • Less extender used Disadvantages of PCAI are: • Sanitation may be more critical • Catheters cost more money • Does not reduce variation of performance • Lower volume of extender causes more temperature fluctuation problems in semen dose • Gilt’s cervical canal too tight to pass the second catheter • Will require additional training The data shows that with training and attention to detail this method of insemination can be an effective tool in management and improving efficiency of pork protein production.