Philippine E-Journals

Intra-Uterine Infusion of Killed Boar Semen to Increase Reproductive Efficiency in Gilts

Severino S. Capitan | Francisco F. Peñalba | F.b. Geromo | J.m. Dalumpienes

Discipline: Animal Science

 

Abstract:

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of intra-uterine infusion of killed boar semen and quantify any changes in the reproductive efficiency of gilts. Twenty-four (24) gilts were randomly assigned to three treatments: T1-Control (infusion of 100 ml distilled water), T2-single infusion of 100 ml killed semen (KS1), and T3-double infusion of 100 ml killed semen (KS2). Each treatment had eight breeding gilts, wherein four were bred by artificial insemination (AI) and the other four by natural insemination (NI). Infusions using AI catheters were done during the 2nd estrus in T1 and T2, whereas infusions in T3 were made during the 1st and 2nd estruses. Regular breeding were subsequently made during the 3rd estrus. All gilts that returned to cycle were rebred within the 30-day period. Under natural breeding, T3 had the highest (P<.05) litter size born alive (10.9 piglets), total pigs born (11. 7 piglets) and live litter weight at birth (15.3 kg). Slight incidence of stillbirth (0.5 piglet) was also noted in T3. For artificially inseminated gilts, T3 had the highest (P<.05) litter size (10.3 piglets) and heaviest (P<.05) litter weight (74.1 kg.), followed by T2 (9.8 piglets and 65.0 kg, respectively) at 28 days weaning while T1 had the lowest (7.5 piglets and 47.0 kg, respectively). Total pigs born was higher (P<.05) in T2 (12.8 piglets) and T3 (11.3 piglets) than in the control (10.5 piglets). Results indicate that pre breeding intra-uterine infusion of killed boar semen (either single or double) improved the reproductive performance of gilts.