Reproductive performance of fixed-time artificial insemination in swine and factors for the technology success

Desempenho reprodutivo da inseminação artificial em tempo fixo em suínos e fatores para o sucesso da tecnologia

ABSTRACT:

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) is a reproductive technology that aids in obtaining an appropriate time to perform single artificial insemination (AI), thus reducing the number of inseminations per sow bred. FTAI protocols can either be based on estrus detection or day of weaning, aiming to synchronize ovulation using ovulation inducers. The protocols involving estrus detection usually employ porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) as an inducer and, in general, satisfactory reproductive performance is observed. For protocols based on weaning day, the main hormone used is analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone such as triptorelin and buserelin. Regardless of the protocol, the number of piglets born is usually not affected by FTAI. However, a possible compromise in the farrowing rate should be considered. The FTAI in gilts requires progestogen treatment for estrus synchronization, increasing the labor requirement and cost of protocol. Some of the benefits of FTAI are a reduced number of semen doses required, advantage of planning the breeding time and; consequently, optimizing labor involved. However, the limitations include a slight reduction in the fertility index due to the compromised farrowing rate in some cases, costs incurred by following the protocol, and difficulty in measuring all the conceptual benefits under commercial conditions. The aim of this review is to approach the reproductive performance of the current protocols of FTAI, considering the benefits and limitations of this technology in swine production.

Key words:
ovulation; synchronization; single insemination; sows; gilts

RESUMO:

A inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) surge como uma biotecnologia para definir o melhor momento para realizar uma única IA, reduzindo o número de células espermáticas por fêmea inseminada. Os protocolos de IATF podem se basear na detecção do estro ou na data de desmame e têm como objetivo sincronizar a ovulação a partir do uso de indutores da ovulação. Protocolos baseados na detecção de estro comumente utilizam o hormônio luteinizante suíno (pLH) como indutor e, de maneira geral, resultados satisfatórios têm sido observados quanto à performance reprodutiva. No caso dos protocolos baseados na data de desmame, os principais hormônios utilizados são os análogos do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofina: triptorelina e buserelina. Independentemente do protocolo, o número de nascidos totais normalmente não é afetado pelo uso da IATF. Porém, um possível comprometimento na taxa de parto deve ser considerado. Já a aplicação da IATF em leitoas requer o fornecimento de um progestágeno, para sincronização do estro, aumentando o manejo e o custo do protocolo. A IATF pode proporcionar diversos benefícios para a indústria suinícola, uma vez que é possível reduzir o número de doses de sêmen produzidas, melhorar o planejamento de coberturas e, consequentemente, otimizar a mão de obra. No entanto, essa biotecnologia apresenta limitações devendo ser considerado a redução nos dados de fertilidade, uma vez que a taxa de parto pode ser comprometida em alguns casos e, o custo do protocolo e a dificuldade de estimar todos os benefícios conceituais da IATF quando aplicada sob condições comerciais. O objetivo dessa revisão é abordar o desempenho reprodutivo dos mais recentes protocolos de IATF, considerando os benefícios e as limitações dessa tecnologia na produção de suínos.

Palavras-chave:
ovulação; sincronização; única inseminação; porcas; leitoas

INTRODUCTION:

Artificial insemination (AI) is the most common technology in swine reproduction and it has been exhibiting extensive uses worldwide over the last few decades (BORTOLOZZO et al., 2015). It is estimated that more than 90% of sows are artificially inseminated in countries with technician production systems (RIESENBECK et al., 2011). The focus of the research on AI in swine has been related to the technologies in semen processing and strategies to reduce number of sperm cells per sow bred (BORTOLOZZO et al., 2015; KIRKWOOD & KAUFFOLD, 2015).

Because of the duration of ovulation in swine (1-4 h; SOEDE, 1993), viability of the oocytes (1.2-6.3 h; SOEDE et al., 1992), and the lifespan of sperms in the uterus (~24h; SOEDE et al., 1995), AI protocols consider insemination until 24h before ovulation as the optimal time to obtain a good fertility (KEMP & SOEDE, 1997; BENNEMANN et al., 2005). Ovulation takes place on average 70% through estrus, but there is a huge variation in the estrus-ovulation interval (8-85 h; KEMP & SOEDE, 1997), making it difficult to predict the ovulation time. For this reason, swine female needs to be inseminated two to three times while in standing estrus. However, only a single insemination is enough for fertilization. If fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) is adopted, including hormones to synchronize ovulation and the insemination time, making it possible to determine an appropriate time to perform a single AI, thus reducing labor and number of inseminations required per sow bred. The low rate of FTAI application in the swine industry could be mainly explained by a slight reduction in the fertility index and the costs of the hormonal protocols. Therefore, the aim of this review is to approach the current protocols of FTAI, focusing on their consequences on reproductive parameters and considering the benefits and limitations of this technology in swine production.

Ovulation time

As described earlier, a large variation in the interval between estrus onset and ovulation is observed. Sows with a weaning-to-estrus interval of three to seven days exhibit an estrus onset-ovulation interval of 10 to 58h (SOEDE et al., 1995); whereas, gilts show this period to be 16 to 56h long (BORTOLOZZO et al., 2005). Estrus duration has a positive correlation with the interval between estrus onset and ovulation (KEMP & SOEDE, 1996). However, this information is retrospective, making difficult the use of this parameter to predict the ovulation time. For these reasons, variation in the ovulation time is a limiting factor for performing a single AI in swine.

Because of a high degree of variation that exists between the estrus onset and ovulation, it is necessary to use hormones that induce ovulation resulting in a successful FTAI. Therefore, FTAI protocols need the synchronization of ovulation with exogenous hormones that induce a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, eventually optimizing the time of administration of a single AI.

Synchronization of ovulation in swine

Many hormones can be used to control the ovulation in swine (DE RENSIS & KIRKWOOD, 2016) and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs have been extensively used as ovulation inducers in FTAI protocols. These act on the hypophysis, inducing the release of LH (BRÜSSOW et al., 1996). The main GnRH analogs commercially used for ovulation induction in pigs are triptorelin and buserelin, and the differences between the two are mainly related to route and time of administration according to the protocol of synchronization (KNOX et al., 2011; DRIANCOURT et al., 2013; KIRKWOOD & KAUFFOLD, 2015).

Intravaginal administration can be performed with triptorelin at 96 h post-weaning, and ovulation is induced in 80.1% of the treated sows between 40 and 48 h after the application (KNOX et al., 2017a). The protocol for buserelin involves an intramuscular (IM) administration of 10µg between 86 and 89h post-weaning, resulting 98.3%-100% of the sows ovulating until 56 h following the administration (DRIANCOURT et al., 2013; BARONCELLO et al., 2017).

Porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) is an alternative used for inducing ovulation. The protocol using pLH in sows recommends an application of 5mg pLH (IM), 80h post-weaning to achieve 90% of sows ovulating until 40h post-application (CASSAR et al., 2005). Despite this result, when 5 mg pLH IM was administrated at estrus onset, ovulation was not anticipated (FONTANA et al., 2014). DEGENSTEIN et al. (2008) used 5 mg pLH, 750UI human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and saline 80h after administering 600UI equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) in gilts pretreated with altrenogest. Results showed that the ovulation time of gilts treated with pLH (35.6-52.1h) had less variation (P<0.01) compared with the saline-treated (36.1-83.8h) and hCG treated groups (36.2-67.3 h). Recently, ULGUIM et al. (2016) reported that pLH (2.5mg vulvar submucosal route) anticipated the ovulation time in relation to the onset of estrus compared with control group (36.3 and 42.3 h, respectively).

Protocols and results of FTAI in gilts

The use of a progestogen, such as altrenogest, is necessary in gilts for estrus synchronization before synchronization of ovulation (MARTINAT-BOTTÉ et al., 2010). In pubertal gilts, a daily dose of altrenogest (20mg/d) is administered orally for 14 to 18 days for estrus synchronization, and 93% of gilts are expected to show signs of estrus between 5 and 7 days after altrenogest withdrawal (MARTINAT-BOTTÉ et al., 1995). Ovulation is synchronized in more than 88% of animals between 144 and 168 h post-altrenogest withdrawal, when buserelin (10µg; IM) is administered 104 or 120h after the withdrawal of altrenogest (MARTINAT-BOTTÉ et al., 2010). Studies using triptorelin intravaginally 120 to 140h after withdrawing progestogen and performing a single AI 24h following inducer administration have also reported decreased estrus-ovulation interval based on the triptorelin administration time (KNOX et al. 2017b; KNOX et al., 2018).Although, effectiveness of altrenogest has been proven to control estrus cycles in swine, the labor for application and duration of the treatment increase costs and may limit the use of FTAI in gilts. Therefore, it is important to research and evaluate alternatives to improve the use of progestogens in commercial FTAI protocols.

FTAI protocols for gilts have also been proposed without the altrenogest treatment, using pLH (vulvar submucosal route) at estrus onset and performing a single insemination 16 h later. The adjusted farrowing rate was similar to that in the control; however, the total number of piglets born was reduced when 2.5mg pLH was administered by vulvar submucosal route (12.3 vs. 14.1; ULGUIM et al., 2014). When insemination was performed 12h after pLH application, there was a reduction in the adjusted farrowing rate (86.0%) compared with control (93.5%). The total number of piglets born was not affected by the treatment but was reported to be lower in the FTAI group when insemination was performed outside the optimal interval (10.5) compared with those inseminated within the optimal time (13.0) (ULGUIM et al., 2016). It is important to emphasize that in the protocols using pLH at estrus onset for gilts, estrus detection is performed multiple times per day, which is commercially impractical.

Protocols and results of FTAI in sows

Considering the protocols based on estrus detection, pLH is the most commonly used ovulation inducer and a single or double insemination can be performed. No impact on reproductive parameters such as the farrowing rate and the total number of piglets born was observed by performing two inseminations in synchronized sows compared with that in the control group (ZAK et al., 2009; ZAK et al., 2010). Even the use of a single insemination after pLH application did not affect the farrowing rate as well as the total number of piglets born (ULGUIM et al., 2016). FONTANA et al. (2014) observed no differences in the farrowing rate (90.0 vs. 93.0%) and total number of piglets born (12.4 vs. 12.5) when compared single and double FTAI in weaned multiparous sows receiving pLH at the estrus onset.

Protocols considering estrus onset for ovulation induction have benefits in terms of reduction in the number of semen doses and handling involved in performing AI on consecutive days, producing satisfactory results in reproductive performance. However, detecting estrus and administering hormones should be performed daily. In addition, it is also important to consider that pLH is a biological molecule with limitations in the manufacturing process.

In protocols based on the day of weaning, differences in the time of hormonal application after weaning and in estrus detection are observed in the protocols using triptorelin or buserelin. Originally, in the triptorelin protocol, it was suggested that no estrus detection should have to be performed and all weaned sows were subjected to hormonal treatment (96h post-weaning) and inseminated until day 7 post-weaning, regardless of estrus expression. In this way, a new metric of comparison was structured and defined as the farrowing efficiency (number of sows farrowed/number of sows weaned; KRAELING & WEBEL, 2015). Using this concept and performing two inseminations (8 and 36h after triptorelin injection; KNOX et al., 2011) or a single insemination (22-24h post-treatment; WEBEL et al., 2014), the farrowing efficiency and the total number of piglets born have been reported with no differences. A meta-analysis was performed including the studies from 2008 to 2015 (n=5,238), in which the triptorelin protocol was followed in weaned sows, and the traditional farrowing rate was observed to be superior in the control group, compared with that in the triptorelin-induced sows (89.7% vs. 82.5%). However, greater farrowing efficiency was verified in the group treated with triptorelin (82.5%) than that in the control group (80.1%). The numbers of total piglets born were similar in both the groups (ROSTAGNO et al., 2016).

In the buserelin protocol, estrus detection is recommended to determine females to be subjected to hormone administration and insemination, as suggested by MARTINAT-BOTTÉ et al. (2010). Buserelin is administered 86h post-weaning and a single insemination is performed 30 to 33h later, excluding from the FTAI protocol sows in estrus within 72h post-weaning and animals that do not show any signs of estrus at the time scheduled for AI. The farrowing rate (87.0% vs. 84.5%) and the total number of piglets born (13.6 vs. 13.7) in the FTAI group were similar to that in the group wherein sows were inseminated multiple times, respectively (DRIANCOURT et al., 2013). BARONCELLO et al. (2017) observed a reduction in the adjusted farrowing rate using buserelin (83.9%) and its use in combination with eCG (76.4%), by performing a single FTAI regardless of estrus expression, compared with the control group (95.7%). No differences in the adjusted farrowing rate and the total number of piglets born were observed among the groups when insemination was performed only in sows expressing estrus signs at the time of insemination (BARONCELLO et al., 2017). Currently, under field conditions, it has been suggested to breed only sows showing estrus signs at the time of conducting FTAI for triptorelin protocols.

Using boars in FTAI protocols could be considered practical not only in identifying sows to be inseminated but also because an improvement in the ovulation induction is achieved. According to ULGUIM et al. (2018), boar exposure from the day after weaning increases the proportion of sows ovulating until 48 h post-triptorelin administration (77.7%) compared with weaned sows subjected to no boar exposure after weaning (67.5%). There was also a tendency of more sows being inseminated within an optimal time period when boar exposure was carried out. Protocols for FTAI in swine are better described in DE RENSIS & KIRKWOOD (2016) and results obtained from main protocols in the last years are summarized in table 1.

Table 1
Reproductive performance obtained from protocols used for FTAI in sows and gilts.

Reference	Inducer	Via	Group (n)		FR (%)	AFR (%)	Farrowing efficiency*	TPB
----------------------------------------------------------Sows - Protocols based on estrus detection-------------------------------------------------------
ZAK et al., 2009	pLH	IM	Control (156)		82.3	-	-	11.7a
			pLH (163)		87.4	-	-	12.9b
ZAK et al., 2010	pLH	IM	Control (150)		85.2	83.2	-	11.8
			pLH (168)		89.3	87.3	-	12.9
FONTANA et al., 2014	pLH	IM	Control (199)		92.0	-	-	12.9
			pLH 1 AI (199)		90.0	-	-	12.4
			pLH 2 AI (199)		93.0	-	-	12.5
ULGUIM et al., 2016	pLH	VS	Control (103)		-	94.1	-	12.8
			FTAI pLH (103)		-	88.0	-	12.0
			FTAI (103)		-	86.1	-	12.7
----------------------------------------------------Sows - Protocols based on the day of weaning---------------------------------------------------------
DRIANCOURT et al., 2013	Buserelin	IM	ControlParity ≥ 2 (168)		84.1	-	-	13.9
			Control Parity 1 (38)		86.1	-	-	12.8
			GnRH Parity ≥ 2 (174)		88.1	-	-	13.7
			GnRH Parity 1 (39)		78.1	-	-	13.2
WEBEL et al., 2014	Triptorelin	IV	Control (190)		89.8	-	83.6	13.7b
			GnRH (194)		85.1	-	85.1	14.6a
ROSTAGNO et al., 2016	Triptorelin	IV	Control (2924)		89.7a	-	82.5a	13.2
			GnRH (2314)		82.5b	-	80.1b	13.2
BARONCELLO et al., 2017	Buserelin	IM	Control (165)		93.7a	95.7a	-	13.4
			eCG + GnRH (165)		74.8b	76.4b	-	12.5
			GnRH (165)		82.2b	83.9b	-	12.8
----------------------------------Sows - protocols based on the day of weaning vs. based on estrus detection----------------------------------------
KNOX et al., 2011	Triptorelin	IV	Exp1	Control (41)	78.4	-	-	10.0
				GnRH weaning (42)	65.6	-	-	11.1
				GnRH estrus (42)	74.8	-	-	10.2
			Exp2	Control (169)	56.4	-	-	11.4
				GnRH weaning (174)	56.3	-	-	11.1
				GnRH estrus (160)	61.5	-	-	10.9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Gilts-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ULGUIM et al., 2014	pLH	VS/IM	Control (51)		-	85.4	-	14.1a
			pLH 2.5 mg (VS; 51)		-	93.9	-	12.3b
			pLH 5.0 mg (IM; 51)		-	92.0	-	13.3ab
ULGUIM et al., 2016	pLH	VS	Control (159)		-	93.5a	-	12.5
			pLH (159)		-	86.0b	-	12.3

• FR: Farrowing rate; AFR: Adjusted farrowing rate; TPB: total number of piglets born; IV: intravaginally; SV: vulvar submucosal ^*number of sows farrowed/number of sows weaned.
• a, b in the column indicate significant difference among the groups (P<0.05).

Key factors for the success of FTAI programs

The success of FTAI protocols is highly dependent on the synchronization of ovulation and inseminations performed within the optimal time period to obtain better fertility. According to BARONCELLO et al. (2017), a lower adjusted farrowing rate was observed in sows inseminated once outside the optimal interval (21%) after buserelin application compared with those inseminated within the optimal time (91.4%).

Insemination in sows not in estrus can also increase the possibility of vulvar discharges due to low cellular immunity in the endometrium during the metestrus phase (KAEOKET et al., 2003). In protocols wherein daily estrus detection is not performed, it is important to take into account the possibility of inseminating sows that are not in estrus. An alternative for this situation is to carry out estrus detection at the time of FTAI to inseminate only those animals expressing estrus behavior. The use of buserelin resulted in approximately 92% (DRIANCOURT et al., 2013; BARONCELLO et al., 2017) of animals exhibiting estrus at the time of FTAI. In this way, the use of this technology should consider the percentage of sows to be subjected to FTAI and those in which the traditional protocol must be used, minimizing the reduction on reproductive parameters.

The occurrence of semen backflow when a single insemination was conducted was correlated with a lower chance of weaned sows becoming pregnant (FONTANA et al., 2014). The reduction in the farrowing rate was reported in gilts subjected to a single FTAI when the nonoccurrence (94.9%) was compared with the occurrence (50%) of semen backflow during insemination (ULGUIM et al., 2016). In the same study, the total number of piglets born was negatively affected both in gilts (11.2 vs. 13.6) and weaned sows (10.4 vs. 12.5) that showed semen backflow during insemination compared with females in which semen backflow was not observed. Thus, it is recommended to repeat the insemination immediately in animals exhibiting semen backflow during the process (FONTANA et al., 2014).

The number of sperm cells in a semen dose is another criterion that should be investigated. KNOX et al. (2017a) evaluated the use of 1.5 or 2.5 billion sperms by performing a single post-cervical AI in weaned sows. The authors observed an increased litter size when 2.5 billion sperms were used as compared with 1.5 billion sperms, with no difference in the farrowing rates. However, the minimum number of sperm cells that results in a good fertility rate using FTAI as well as the storage time of a semen dose remains unclear. Another important element is the presence of sub-fertile boars in the herd, which can negatively affect the reproductive performance. It is difficult to identify such boars, thus, reproductive fertility might be affected by the lack of identification and use of such boars in a FTAI program.

Prospects of using FTAI in swine

Conceptually, FTAI has several benefits for the swine industry. In boar studs, the use of a single FTAI reduces the number of semen doses required, thus reducing the number of boars in the boar inventory. Consequently, less labor for semen production is involved and the possibility to increase investments in high-index boars would be obtained. The possibility of prediction of the number of females to be inseminated reduces the wastage of semen doses orders, optimizing the use of doses with less period of storage. Handling for insemination and estrus detection are also reduced, allowing increased focus during insemination procedures. FTAI programs could also improve the farrowing concentration, with a positive impact on farrowing assistance and contributing to the uniformity of weaning age and lactation period. Although, cited as a possibility, these benefits need to be studied extensively.

The biggest challenges in the practical application of FTAI are those related to the possibility of a reduction in the farrowing rate due to certain protocols and field observations. It is essential to be aware of the necessity to perform the traditional AI protocol in sows with a weaning-to-estrus interval of up to three days, as well as in females that do not exhibit estrus at the time of FTAI. Additionally, the cost of hormonal protocol remains high, especially for gilts.

CONCLUSION:

Development of new drugs and protocols, advancements in swine industry have improved the reproductive performance of FTAI which have shown promising results over the last few years. Although, the farrowing rate can be affected in some cases, the total number of piglets born is not usually affected by the protocol. However, the cost of the hormonal protocol is still high, especially that for gilts. Although, this technology is very beneficial for swine production, it is difficult to measure all their conceptual benefits in a commercial setup, due to the cost of the protocol and lack of knowledge on the returns on investment.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are thankful to Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) for the scholarships provided. F.P. Bortolozzo received a Productivity Fellowship from the CNPq (304342/2016-5).

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• 0
  CR-2018-0712.R1

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  2019

History

• Received
  31 Aug 2018
• Accepted
  20 Dec 2018
• Reviewed
  22 Jan 2019