INTRAUTERINE ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IN THE PIG: THE TECHNIQUES, THE APPLICATIONS AND THE LIMITATIONS

Abstract

This review aims to update information on the success of intra-uterine and deep intra-uterine insemination in the pig. Three artificial insemination (AI) techniques in pigs included conventional AI (semen is deposited intra cervically), intra-uterine insemination (IUI) and deep intra-uterine insemination (DIUI). With conventional AI, it has been shown that more than 90% of spermatozoa are lose before reaching the oviducts. Therefore, new techniques for AI were developed in order to maximize the use of boar semen and to reduce semen backflow, which can reduce pregnancy rates. The advantages of intra-uterine and deep intra-uterine insemination include a reduction in the number of spermatozoa used (3-20 times), an increase in the efficacy of using thawed-frozen boar semen and sex sorted semen, it could also be used in non-surgical embryo transfer. The use of IUI and DIUI techniques does not cause any damage to the sow’s reproductive tract or result in endometritis. Information on sperm transport, the optimal number of spermatozoa per dose, the optimal semen volume, the deposition site of the semen, the timing of insemination and the reproductive performance of sows using the 3 insemination techniques are reviewed and discussed.