A fact-finding survey on artificial insemination of pigs in Japan
2019
Kawarasaki, T. (Tokai University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto (Japan). School of Agriculture) | Kataoka, T.
To better understand the extent of artificial insemination usage in pig farms in Japan, we surveyed farms for application of artificial insemination technologies such as semen collection, sperm preservation, estrus detection, and insemination. The survey was performed using e-mail or fax contact details from the Japan Pork Producers Association website. The survey questionnaires were delivered to 834 farms and 19.4% (163 farms) responded ; 43.0% (70/163 farms) used only artificial insemination and 49.7% (81/163 farms) used both artificial insemination and natural mating. The rate of use of artificial insemination increased with the number of sows on the farm (P<0.05). The number of breeding sows per boar was 32.9 (73,218/2,223, 162 farms). Semen was collected using rubber or nitrile rubber gloves, which have an adverse effect on sperm motility and viability, in 56.6% of farms (56/99). Although catheters for post-cervical insemination were used in 44.8% of farms (64/143), the sperm counts and semen volumes for post-cervical insemination did not change compared with conventional insemination methods. Hormonal treatments for weaned sows were performed in 33.3% of farms (55/150) ; in most cases, a single dose administration of gonadotropin was used. This survey showed that artificial insemination use is increasing in large pig farms in Japan. Although new technologies such as post-cervical insemination have been introduced, their benefits have not yet been fully realized. Artificial insemination in Japan will progress further by introducing new technologies.
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