Artificial Insemination of Sows and Gilts

Determine farm protocols to:

  • Determine specific protocols related to artificial insemination (A.I.) methods

There are multiple ways to perform this procedure. The following is a template to assist in customizing a standard operating procedure for this procedure on your farm. Edit as necessary to describe the procedures specific to your farm.

Introduction

Artificial insemination is the process of properly placing selected semen into a receptive female pig’s reproductive tract. Artificial insemination helps control the timing of breeding and farrowing,production scheduling and genetics of resulting piglets.

Safety

Hazard: stepped on by animal, struck by animal, stuck by or against object, fall (slip, trip), caught between gates, sow feeder, safety bars, animal bite, pinch points, debris in eyes, dust (respiratory), noise (hearing)

Personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be used to help ensure safety may include exam gloves, hearing protection, safety-toe boots and protective eyewear.

To help avoid personal injury, stay at the rear of breeding animals, and monitor placement of hands and legs.

Supplies

Supplies needed for artificial inseminationmay include:

  • Exam gloves
  • AI catheters
  • Semen cooler with gel packs
  • Semen
  • Non-spermicidal lubricant
  • Single-use towels
  • Marking stick/chalk or paint
  • Breeding record sheet
  • Carrying tote
  • Clipboard
  • Trash container

Procedure

Preparation for Artificial Insemination of Gilts and Sows:

  • Inspect the semen storage unit to verify temperature and ensure that it is functioning properly.
  • Verify that no semen doses are out of date or unusable for any reason.
  • Gather breeding supplies.
  • Place gel packets in bottom of semen cooler.
  • Remove appropriate semendosesfrom semen storage unit, and place them in a portable cooler on top of gel packs. Place additional gel packets on top of semen in portable cooler.
  • Gather catheters, lubricant, towels, chalk, breeding sheets, tote, clipboard and trash container.
  • Ensure the sow or gilt is in standing heat. Secure a mature boar within direct contact distance of the sow or gilt that is to be bred.

Insemination

  • Clean the exterior portion of the vulva with a single-use towel.
  • Place a dime-sized portion of non-spermicidal lubricant on the tip of the catheter.
  • Stimulate the sow by rubbing flanks and applying back pressure.
  • Spread the lips of the vulva with your free hand, and gently insert the catheter into the vulva. Push the catheter inwards gently at aslightly upward angle to avoid inserting it into the bladder opening. Spirette-style catheters should be rotated counterclockwise during insertion.
  • Slowly push the catheter until you meet resistance. This indicates that the catheter has locked into the cervix.
  • Gently pull back to ensure catheter is locked into cervix.
  • Attach the semen container tightly to the catheter.
  • Continue to stimulate the sow.
  • Allow semen to flow naturally with no externally-applied pressure on the semen container, including squeezing by hand.
  • Record breeding data, and mark the female on her back as having been bred. Date recorded may include:
  • Date bred
  • Semen type code
  • Technician name
  • Additional comments

Complete the A.I. process

  • Leave the semen container attached to the catheter for 5 minutes after it is empty.
  • Remove the breeding catheter by slowly pulling downward and outward. Spirette catheters should be rotated clockwise during removal.
  • Dispose of used catheter and empty semen container into an appropriate trash container.
  • Allow 10to15 minutes of boar exposure after insemination is complete.

Follow-up

If significant amounts of semen (>33%) backflow out of female, note this on the breeding sheet. Review the catheter style and catheter insertion technique. If pregnancy rates of artificially inseminated females do not meet your farm’s targeted levels, review your artificial insemination procedures.