Rethinking Swine AI: How Post-Cervical and Fixed-Time Insemination Can Maximize Genetic Value

A review by F.P. Bortolozzo, M.B. Menegat, A.P.G. Mellagi, M.L. Bernardi, and I. Wentz, published in Reproduction in Domestic Animals (Reprod. Domest. Anim. 2015, 50, Suppl. 2, 80–84), examines new strategies to improve the efficiency of artificial insemination in swine. The primary goal is to reduce the number of sperm cells required per insemination dose while maintaining high reproductive performance, a key factor in optimizing the use of high-genetic-merit boars.

While conventional AI in swine has seen great development, it often relies on high sperm cell counts (1.5 to 4.0 billion) and multiple inseminations per oestrus to compensate for potential issues in semen processing or on-farm management. The authors highlight modern technologies, such as post-cervical artificial insemination (PCAI) and fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), as practical solutions to this challenge. These methods allow for a reduction in sperm concentration by depositing semen closer to the site of fertilization.

However, the application of these advanced technologies is not without its challenges, particularly in gilts. The review points out that the use of PCAI in nulliparous females remains limited. One study cited by the authors found that successful introduction of the inner catheter beyond the cervix was possible in only 44% of gilts. This technical limitation presents a significant hurdle for producers wanting to standardize advanced AI protocols across their entire breeding herd, suggesting that different strategies may be necessary for gilts versus multiparous sows.