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Comparison of Natural Mating with Artificial Insemination and Influence of Semen Volume and Sperm Numbers on Conception, Embryo Survival and Litter Size in Sows^{1, 2,}

University of Wisconsin, Madison^,4

Abstract

Ninety-six sows of mixed breeding, having exhibited one or more pre-experimental estrous cycles, were assigned randomly to four treatment groups and were bred on the second day of the experimental estrous period either by natural service or artificially with semen from one of three boars. Group I sows were bred by natural service. Group II sows were inseminated with 2.5 x 10⁹ spermatozoa in 50 ml. of milk diluent containing 1000 meg. dihydrostreptomycin sulfate per ml. Group III sows were inseminated with 2.5 x 10⁹ spermatozoa in 100 ml. of diluent and Group IV sows were inseminated with 1.25 x 10⁹ spermatozoa in 100 ml. of diluent. All sows were slaughtered 2 5-days post-breeding. The mean percent conception rate for the four groups was 58.3, 75.0, 73.9, and 62.5, respectively. The mean number of corpora lutea present in those sows pregnant was 16.9, 14.8, 16.5, and 16.3 for the four groups, respectively. The mean percent of corpora lutea represented by embryos at the 25 th day of gestation for the pregnant sows was 48.9, 75.1, 77.7 and 77.3 for these four groups, respectively, while the average litter size for the pregnant sows was 7.8, 11.1, 12.9 and 12.7 pigs in the four groups, respectively. Percent conception rate, number of corpora lutea, and litter size did not differ significantly among treatments or among boars nor were there any significant interactions. Percent embryo survival did not differ significantly among treatments or among boars, but a significant boar-treatment interaction occurred (P<0.05).

¹ Published with the approval of the Director of the Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment Station, Madison.

² This study was supported in part by grants from Oscar Mayer & Company, Jones Dairy Farm, Badger Breeders Cooperative, Consolidated Breeders Cooperative, East Central Breeders Cooperative, Southern Wisconsin Breeders Cooperative, Tri-State Breeders Cooperative and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation.

³ Present address: Animal Husbandry Department, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

⁴ Department of Animal Husbandry.