Application of reproductive technologies to improve the utilization of superior sires in the pork production industry

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The use of artificial insemination (AI) has had a major impact on genetic improvement in the swine industry. However, unlike other livestock industries (e.g. dairy), Canadian pork production has not fully realized the genetic gains and strategic advantages that AI can provide. This is due to: 1) ineffective evaluation of individual boar fertility, and 2) the excessive number of sperm used per litter born. Improving on these inefficiencies in AI would represent a major advantage to Canadian pork producers in a global food-animal marketplace. A reduction in sperm numbers per AI dose will enhance the use of genetically superior boars. Although 3 billion sperm/AI dose is an industry norm, recent data from our group and industry demonstrate that ~15-20% of boars currently in use demonstrate sub-optimal fertility, despite producing semen of "acceptable" quality for use in AI. The fertility of these boars is further compromised when their semen is inseminated at less than 3 billion sperm/AI dose, while other boars maintain reproductive capacity with AI doses of 1.5 billion sperm. The capacity to identify and select against these sires would allow the industry to reduce the numbers of sperm/AI dose, meaning fewer boars would be required to satisfy the requirements for AI. Boars of lesser genetic merit and lower relative productivity could thus be eliminated. Furthermore, development and application of single fixed-time artificial insemination techniques (FT-AI) in combination with post-cervical artificial insemination (PC-AI) techniques will maximize the impact of superior boars by reducing the number of sperm needed to produce a litter. This research will deliver novel tools and techniques that will improve breeding management practices in the Canadian pork production industry and ensure the link between the high genetic value of elite sires and terminal line progeny which are the foundation of an economically sustainable pork industry.