Introduction

Artificial insemination (AI) is a management technique that has been available to American producers for several decades. It has very few disadvantages, and the tools for getting using AI can be rather simple. On commercial farms, AI may be used with semen purchased from an AI center, either as semen from a specific boar or as a mix of semen from a breed or group of breeds. Another way to utilize AI is to use semen from on farm herd boars. The latter is becoming an economically important management tool. On farm AI requires fewer boars and, in comparison to nature service generally cuts labor by 40 % (See and Flowers, 1997).

Whether your currently using AI or contemplating starting an AI program, this paper will outline the basic equipment needed with various AI programs that you can choose to use with your operation. The last portion of this outline will briefly describe the technique in performing an AI to get you on you way.

There are various AI programs that you can choose for your operation. Cost per mated sow are shown on Table 1 (See and Flowers, 1997). Only you can determine the program the best fits your needs, but remember these are only raw cost and other factors such as decreasing genetic lag or improving herd genetics should be considered when purchasing semen.

AI with Purchased Semen

1. Decrease of genetic lag
2. Better quality semen.
3. Savings on labor cost and time required for mating
4. Fewer boars used for only heat detection
5. Less hassle.

1. Can be more costly
2. Infrequent shipment of semen and storage is limited

AI with on Farm Collection

1. Can be less expensive than purchasing semen
2. Always have access to semen supply (i.e. weekends, holidays etc.)
3. Decrease in number of boars needed
4. Less worry about getting disease via purchased semen

1. More equipment and technical expertise is required
2. Possibly less quality control of extended semen.
3. More labor required
4. Worry about disease with purchased boars

1. Semen Collection: Wide mouth thermos, gauze, gloves (vinyl or non-spermicidal)


2. Semen Evaluation: Visual appraisal for concentration estimate


3. Semen Extension: Powdered semen extender, distilled water, thermometer, volumetric cylinder or flask (1 or 5 liters dependent on size of operation), disposable 100 mL storage and dispensing bottles and caps
4. Insemination: Melrose spirette or disposable catheters, non-spermicidal lubricant

Upgrade 1

1. Dummy sow (Allows for collection when no sow will stand-boar training needed or when boar is too large for gilts)
2. Plastic bags to line thermos (eliminates cleaning of thermos and better sanitation quality control)

1. Microscope (10x and 40x objectives)
2. Stage warmer (necessary for viewing motility in cold semen)
3. Hemacytometer (for determining sperm concentration)
4. Unopet® for semen dilution for counting, or
5. Accurate pipettes for dilution 1:100, small test tubes, and formal saline solution.
6. Conversion table for sperm concentration.

1. Manual dispensing system.
A manual dispensing system saves time in dispensing AI doses. Most AI centers use some form of dispensing system.
2. System that fits with dispensing system
3. Storage system (Cooltron® or similar) keeping the semen at 18º C.
4. Powdered semen extender, distilled water
5. Thermometer
6. Volumetric cylinder or flask (1 or 5 liters dependent on size of operation)
7. Disposable 100 ml storage and dispensing bottles and caps

1. Melrose spirette or disposable pipettes
2. Non-spermicidal lubricant

Upgrade 2

1. Collection room or pen

1. Densitometer

1. Automatic dispensing system.
2. Water bath to maintain semen temperature when batch processing a consistent flow of semen collections

1. Same as before

Record keeping for both semen collection and insemination is a must in all operations. An example follows below. Washing of glassware etc. should be done with an Ivory type soap, rinsing in clean water, followed preferably by distilled water. Sterilization is an option, but not absolutely necessary with the exception of AI centers.

Transition from Natural Service

Step One: Become aquatinted with the estrual behavior in female swine by observation and literature. Detection of estrus is the most important factor for a successful AI program.

Step Two: A successful strategy used on many operations has been a combination of hand mating followed by a second service AI. This method will help in the learning and evaluation of insemination and semen handling apart from estrus detection. If reproduction with combination matings stays equal or better than natural service, than AI/semen handling skills are being performed correctly.

Step Three: Once AI skills, as well as estrus detection ability has become mastered, total conversion from natural service to AI can be implemented. Weaning schedules and synchronization of gilts may be required to accommodate semen deliveries.

Boar Selection

Purchased Semen: Purchasing semen is an excellent way to improve genetics rapidly. Many boar studs offer genetic evaluation summaries on individual boars, which should be taken advantage of when possible. Furthermore, most boars offered by studs represent the top 1% of the boars in that specific line or breed, and thus, ordering breed, terminal, or maternal semen (i.e. not boar specific) is an inexpensive way to greatly reduce genetic lag in your herd. (See boar stud directory below).

On Farm Boars: Because AI allows for fewer boars needed to mate sows, producers should than spend those savings on buying better boars. However, in not all cases is a more expensive boar the best boar. Again, take advantage of proven genetic lines, individual expected progeny differences and past performance to ensure that your purchase will help improve the genetic merit of your operation. Although it is unlikely that you will purchase very many boars that rank in the top 1% of the breed or genetic line, superior genetics is available in the industry that should contribute in decreasing genetic lag on your farm.

Insemination Procedure

Estrus can be detected by applying back pressure to the female while she has nose-to-nose contact with a mature boar and eliciting a "standing heat reflex". If time and facilities permit, always try to inseminate females immediately after detecting this estrual response.

If the exterior genitalia is dirty, clean using a dry towel. Place a small amount of non-spermicidal lubricant on the tip of the catheter and slowly begin inserting into the vagina at an upward angle. Gently turn the catheter in counterclockwise direction until you feel a slight resistance or when the catheter torques clockwise a half turn, stop and gently pull backwards, resistance will indicate if you are locked into the cervix. (When using a "golden pig" catheter, insert the same way and gently push until you feel resistance, stop and gently pull backward, resistance will indicated a cervical lock. Clip the tip of the semen bottle or tear the bag and place on the end of the catheter. Elevate the bottle or bag upside down and gently apply pressure. When semen begins to flow, clip the end of the bottle (not the bag) to allow air into the top of the bottle, thus allowing semen to flow freely into the female and ensure that you do not force semen into the female. A small amount of back flow is possible, however, a large amount means that the catheter needs to be replaced. This can be done by either turning in or out 1/2 a turn. Once the bottle or bag is empty wait for approximately one minute and gently turn the catheter clockwise while removing. It is not necessary that all the semen be emptied from the catheter, as forcing the remaining contents of the catheter into the female may allow air to be pushed into the female and consequently, displacing semen and more flow-back will occur.

Prices and Inventories

Commercial semen prices range for this group of boar studs range from $3.50-30.00 per dose and individual boar prices can range from $20.00-250.00 per dose. Most of these boar studs offer a variety of genetic lines as well as purebred lines from various sources. Best advice, call and ask for catalogue and price list. Most seed-stock producers are collecting on herd boars for semen distribution. Although not listed here, many trade magazines have advertisements of these opportunities.

Sperm Concentration Table for Hemocytometer Count

1. Di1ution: 1:100 (Unipette)
2. Count # sperm in 5 squares on the hemocytometer
3. Multiply # sperm counted by 5 to get # of sperm/mL

Collection Record