HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, L. A. Articles by Arts, J.A.M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Johnson, L. A. Articles by Arts, J.A.M.

Use of Boar Spermatozoa for Artificial Insemination II. Fertilizing Capacity of Fresh and Frozen Spermatozoa in Gilts Inseminated Either at a Fixed Time or According to Walsmeta Readings¹

US Dept of Agriculture^,2,4,, Beltsville, MD and Research Institute for Animal Husbandry³, Zeist, The Netherlands

Abstract

A fertility trial was conducted comparing two methods of defining the optimum time to inseminate frozen boar semen. One hundred sixty-four gilts were inseminated, one-half at a fixed insemination time of 32 to 34 h after calculated onset of estrus and the remainder were inseminated on the basis of changes in the vaginal mucosal electrical resistance. Inseminations were made when the instrument (an inversely scaled ohmmeter) reading fell between 54 to 64 on a scale of 0 to 100. Both fresh and frozen boar semen were used. Pregnancy rates and live embryos/gilts from inseminations made at the fixed time and inseminations made on the basis of ohmmeter readings did not differ significantly for either fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa. Pregnancy rates and number of live embryos/gilt were significantly higher for gilts inseminated with fresh spermatozoa than for those inseminated with frozen-thawed spermatozoa (82%, 11.6 vs 61%, 8.2, respectively). Inseminations were conducted from January to September. Pregnancy rates were significantly higher for inseminations made for the first quarter of the year (January, February and March) than for inseminations made for the third quarter (July, August and September). No benefit was derived from using an ohmmeter to time insemination with frozen-thawed boar spermatozoa.

Key Words: Artificial Insemination • Frozen Semen • Ohmmeter • Swine

¹ We acknowledge with gratitude the technical assistance of R. Eisen, J. Smidt and A. J. Van Roomen; the cooperation of J.H.A. te Brake and C.M.T. Willems and the assistance with statistical analyses provided by Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.

² ARS, Animal Science Institute, Reproduction Laboratory.

³ Driebergseweg 10D.

⁴ Mention of a trade name, proprietary product or specific equipment does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.