Reproductive performance of single and double artificial insemination protocol in swine

Article Authors: G.K. Bamundaga, R. Natumanya, D.R. Kugonza, D.O. Owiny

Abstract

The aim of the research was to contribute towards improved pig reproductive performance in Uganda, through determining community boar stud semen quality as affected by boar traits and comparing the performance of single and double insemination. Semen ejaculates (n=36) from mature boars (3Large white, 3 Camborough) were studied for quality in relation to breed, boar age and individual boar. In addition, single and double inseminations were carried out during in vivo fertility trials (n = 84). The data was analyzed for correlation using Spearman rank-order correlations and variance of means by Mann-Whitney test of SPSS version 20. There was a significant positive correlation between boar age and semen volume (rs = 0.849, p<0.05), semen density (rs (36) = 0.709, p<0.05), total sperms (rs (36) = 0.798, p< 0.05), motility (rs (36) = 0.571, p<0.05), membrane integrity (rs (36) = 0.713, p<0.05) and sperm viability (rs(36) = 0.875, p<0.05). The semen quality significantly varied (p<0.001) between individual boars. The sperm motility of the Camborough was significantly higher than LargeWhite (p<0.05). The conception rate in double insemination (94.4%) was not significantly different (p>0.05) from single insemination (89.6%). The mean litter size for single insemination was 8.16 ± 0.34, (range 2-13 piglets) while for double, it was 9.00±0.39, (range 4-16 piglets). There was a positive relationship between semen quality and boar age. The performance of single dose in terms of piglets per insemination was higher than in double dose. Thus, a single AI dose is as good as a double dose and should be promoted among smallholder farmers who need access to low cost but high gain from breeding services. The single dose protocol seem to reduce breeding costs, however, an investigation of cost benefit analysis is needed to establish its cost effectiveness in commercial artificial insemination.

Bibliographical metadata

Journal Bulletin of Animal Health and Production in Africa
Volume 66
Issue No. 1
Keywords
Links https://www.ajol.info/index.php/bahpa/article/view/167855
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