ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION (SWINE) NCII

CANAAN Hill Farms, Caibiran, Biliran Phils.

VIII. Swine Artificial Insemination
What will I Learn Today?
Learn how to look for a sow in-heat

Understand the exact timing of insemination

Know and apply the proper A.I. conduct

Artificial Insemination – introduction of sperm cells into the
female’s reproductive tract (cervix) artificially using a plastic or
rubber catheter
Barrow – a male swine, castrated (testicles removed) before it
reaches sexual maturity
Boar – uncastrated male swine usually kept for breeding
Crossbreed – a group of animals produced by mating two or
more different breeds or strains of animals
Culling – is the removal of undesirable or inferior animals in the
herd based on important economic traits and overall
performance
Estrus – period of time when the female will accept male. Also
known as heat period
Farrowing – the act of giving birth in pigs or swine
Gestation Period – refers to the period of carrying the young in
the womb
Gilt – a young female hog that has not given birth yet
Inbreeding – mating of closely related animals in a herd
 Terminologies
Artificial insemination – pagbubulog sa baboy sa
pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng kinolektang semilya mula
sa barako nang hindi sinasampahan ng barako mismo
gamit ang catheter
Estrus/in-heat – paglalandi
Repeat/return – pag-ulit ng paglalandi ng baboy matapos
ang ilang araw mula nang ito’y nabulog
Abortion – pagkalaglag ng fetus o nabuong biik mula sa
buntis na inahin
Discharge – kulay-gatas o kakaibang likidong lumalabas
sa ari ng inahin/gilt
Pen – kulungan; kuwarto sa piggery
Culling – pagtanggal ng baboy sa breeding herd
Livestock – domestic animals kept for use on a farm and raised
for sale and profit
Litter – the offsprings at one birth of a multiparous animal like
swine
Litter Size – refers to the aggregate number of piglets per
farrowing
Dry sow – a sow whose litter has been weaned but which has
not yet been bred or is not pregnant
Purebreeding – is the mating of the unrelated individuals in the
same breed
Selection – refers to the process of choosing males and
females with desirable characteristics either for breeding or
replacement stocks
Semen- is an organic fluid from male animals, also known as
seminal fluid, that may contain spermatozoa; a male secretion
that consists of the seminal fluid and sperm cells.
Sow’s Reproductive System
L – Labia
Vu – Vulva
Ve – Vestibule
AV – Anterior Vagina
UB – Urinary Bladder
CX – Cervix
BL – Broad ligament
EUB – External Uterine Bifurcation
UH – Uterine Horn
O – Ovary
OD - Oviducts
Sow’s Reproductive System
Sow’s Reproductive System
Sow’s Reproductive System
Sow’s Reproductive System
SWINE GAMETES
 Intro
Artificial Insemination:
Is the careful introduction of processed semen into the cervix of a
sow in standing heat.
• Sperm are typically deposited near the junction of the cervix
and uterus.
• Under stimulation from uterine contractions induced by both
oxytocin from the female and prostaglandins in the semen of
the boar, sperm are moved to the site of fertilization.
• The reproductive system of female swine is more conducive to
AI than that of cattle or sheep, and therefore AI is less time-
consuming and easier to accomplish in swine.
• Still, the proper AI technique and an understanding of the sow’s
reproductive system are important for best results.
 Signs of Estrus

Stands to Back Pressure Test

When To Inseminate?
Timing of Insemination
The Optimal Insemination Timing for Dry
Sows
 Advantage Comparison

Natural Breeding A.I.

Less laborious for stockman Fewer boars to feed and manage
during breeding
1 boar can serve 50 sows
Less transfer of diseases
Less injuries
No need to buy expensive GP or GGP
boars
Synchronize births
 Disadvantage Comparison

Natural A.I.
More sow and boar injuries Needs initial capital for lab equipment
and Genuine boar genetics
Risk of boar overuse Needs well trained and dedicated
stockpersons to carry on the task
Lower conception rates
More boars to feed and manage;
More Capital and Operational
Expenses
More chance of disease transfer
 1. Sperm Quality

>
Natural breeding
Standard A.I. & common A.I.
 2. Health

300 Kg

130 Kg

A.I. Natural
 3. Economics

vs.
Affordable
50,000
4. Optimum Genetic Improvement
 A.I. MUST-HAVES
• Foam Tip Catheters (disposable)
• Semen Bottles
• Styrofoam Box or insulated bag
• Lubricating Gel
• Tissue Paper
• Record Forms
 For Sows

For Gilts

AI Catheters
Processed Semen Bottles
Lubricating Gel
Tissue paper
Insulated Bag/Styrofoam box
AI Record Form
Breeding Record Form
 Service Using AI

1. Either breed females immediately after heat checking or allow in-heat females 1-2
hours of rest before breeding. This gives them time to calm down and overcome
the transitory refractory period.
2. Have all supplies/materials in place prior to conducting AI. Place all materials in a
clean and dry area.
3. If teaser boar is available, bring the him in front of the females to have a boar nose
to nose contact throughout the insemination process. This will help stimulate
the female.
4. Protect semen doses from light. Do not put more doses than required in 1 cooler for
1 hour. If you need more, then use more than 1 cooler. Place a refrigerated gel
packs underneath and on top of the semen doses. Use gel packs that are stored
at the same temperature as the semen. Always close the lid after removing
doses.
5. Do not inseminate a gilt or sow unless she is showing solid heat.
6. Ensure proper hygiene before, during and after insemination as cleanliness is
Essential for good results.
Remember:
Do not attempt to breed an animal that is no longer in standing
heat just because you have semen doses left over. Inseminating a
sow or gilt that is not standing will not improve conception and
increases the risk of infection.
 Artificial Insemination
• Sows should be bathed and clean
• Boar presence or odor is highly recommended
• Rub underline and flanks of sow to stimulate
• Apply back pressure
• Wipe vulva with tissue paper
• Place a drop of lubricating gel on tip of catheter
• Gently insert catheter to vulva
• Sit on the back of sow for further stimulation
The following materials are needed to artificially inseminate a
sow or gilt: 1. Semen. Keep the semen in the storage container
until you are ready to use it. 2. Paper towel to clean the vulva.
3. A disposable insemination catheter. Disposable catheters are
available from semen suppliers. 4. A Sex Odor Aerosol (Boar
Scent or SOA). 5. Lubricating jelly (make sure it is non-
spermicidal)
Step 1. Make sure the sow or gilt is in standing heat: You should
not attempt to breed a sow or gilt that is not in standing heat.
Put weight on the animal’s loin and watch her response to make
sure that she is standing. Some animals stand like a statue during
insemination. Others stand, take a step or two, then stand again.
To confirm standing heat, look for secondary signs such as ear
popping, sticky mucous, and an swollen vulva.
Video of Sow in standing heat
Step 2. Clean the animal: Clean the vulva with tissue paper so
that no dirt or manure is pushed into the reproductive tract
when the insemination rod is inserted.
Proper Hygiene during Artificial Insemination

1. Keep the breeding rows as dry as possible,

so avoid washing crates and floors prior to breeding.

2. Wipe the vulva lips with a clean, disposable

paper towel to remove any dirt that may contaminate
the head of the catheter. Clean the inside
of the vulva lips first and then the outside.
Wiping can also act as a stimulus to the
female.
Proper Hygiene during Artificial Insemination

3. Do not use water or disinfectant to wash the sow before insemination because they
could carry contamination into the reproductive tract or kill the sperm cells.

4. Use a new disposable catheter for

each sow and for each mating. The catheter
should only be removed from its polythene
cover, immediately prior to insertion.

5. Do not hold the catheter

in the mouth. Discard
the catheter if it looks dirty or
accidentally touches the sow or stall.
Step 3. Stimulate the animal: With most catheters, semen is not
injected into a sow or gilt, but is pulled into the animal by uterine
contractions. To stimulate uterine contractions, spray SOA on the
sow’s snout. Rub the animal’s flanks and put some weight on her
back before and during insemination.
Step 4. Insert the catheter: The most recommended is the
disposable foam tip type with a rounded tip. lubricate the tip
with a little lubricating jelly before gently inserting it into the
vulva. Angle the rod tip upward (toward the backbone) to avoid
the opening to the bladder. Gently twist the rod counterclockwise
as it is being inserted. Push the rod gently and continue to twist
counterclockwise until the tip is “locked” into the cervix. To test
for lock, pull back gently on the rod.
Older sows’ cervix may not lock with the catheter.
Catheter Insertion

1. Apply a obstetric non-spermicidal gel to

the catheter tip, but do not plug the
opening of the catheter with the gel.

2. Gently separate the vulva lips using the

thumb and forefinger and insert the
catheter in an upward 45° angle through
the vagina into the cervix.
Step 5. Insemination: Remove the tip of the semen bottle and insert
it into the end of the rod. Apply gentle pressure to the bottle.
The semen will begin to flow into the animal if she has been properly
stimulated. There will be times when the animal “accepts” the
semen, and times when semen flow slows or stops. Be patient.
Do not try to force semen into the animal. It may take 5 minutes or
more to empty the bottle.
Insemination

1. Remove the semen from the cooler.

re-suspend the dose by rotating with your hand.

2. Open the semen dose and connect it to the

catheter. Allow the semen to flow from
the container.

3. Do not try to accelerate insemination by

squeezing the semen dose during breeding
and do not perforate the semen container
as this can cause backflow.

4. Try to keep the semen dose as high as the top of the back of the sow. If backflow
occurs, review speed, boar exposure and if sows are not in refractory period.
Insert Catheter Upward Counterclockwise
Insemination

4. Try to keep the semen dose as high

as the top of the back of the sow. If backflow
occurs, review speed, boar exposure and if
sows are not in refractory period.

5. Maximize uterine contractions during

insemination by keeping the boar in
front of the female being inseminated.
Stimulate the female with back pressure,
rubbing the shoulders, flanks and
underline. Be the boar and mimic the
process of natural service.
When catheter is locked, hold bottle up in place
 Sperm Poor

Sperm Rich

Insert Catheter Upward Counterclockwise

AI Motto: Be the Boar!
Continue to stimulate the animal by putting weight on her
back and rubbing her flanks, vulva or anus.
If much backflow is seen, reposition the catheter tip and try
again. Continue to rub the flanks and apply back pressure for
a couple of minutes after the rod has been withdrawn.
Post Insemination

1. The catheter is left in the sow for 5 minutes to continue the cervical stimulation
and maintain uterine contractions.

2. At the end of semen uptake, the catheter

should be doubled over and bound in this
position by threading the ‘bend’ through
the hole at the end of the flat pack. This
prevents "back flow" of semen.

3. Allow the sow to rest.

4. Record
Record keeping is a critical part of a successful A.I. program. At a
minimum, write down dates and times of inseminations, the
semen batch number used, the 21-day check-back date and the
due date. It is also helpful to jot down comments that can help
you make adjustments, if needed, on future inseminations.
 AI Waste Disposal
All AI materials are single use and subject for immediate disposal.
Used Catheters, semen bottles, tissue wipes and gloves must be
collected and placed in a designated trash bag which is then
destroyed by burning or incineration. This is to prevent the
spread of possible infectious swine diseases to other farms.
 Record A.I. Performance
Score the insemination based on the following scale:
1. Standing reflex
- 1 (poor)
- 2 (some movement)
- 3 (little or no movement)
2. Lock
- 1 (no lock)
- 2 (loose lock or when the lock tends to slip)
- 3 (consistent tight lock)
3. Leakage
- 1 (heavy leakage)
- 2 (some leakage or odd spurts)
- 3 (little or no leakage)
Sow’s Pregnancy
Sow’s Pregnancy
Sow’s Pregnancy
Factors Affecting Successful Insemination
in Sows
For pregnant sows:

a. 1 - 21 days after breeding, 1.8 - 2

kilos per day
b. 22 – 90 days, 2 to 2.5 kilos per day
(depending on Body condition score)
QUESTIONS?