Effects of intrauterine and cervical artificial-insemination catheters on farrowing rate and litter size

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effects of type of artificial-insemination catheter on litter size and farrowing rate and to evaluate the economic differences between the two catheters on the basis of the differences observed in reproductive performance. Materials and methods: Three hundred eighty-nine sows were allotted into two experimental groups by parity, body condition score, and breed-of-sire influence. Sow matings were performed using a disposable foam-tipped intrauterine catheter (IU, n = 193) or a cervical catheter (IC, n = 196). Total number of piglets born per litter was recorded, and farrowing rates were calculated after all sows had farrowed or returned to estrus. Results: Farrowing rates were 67.8% and 66.3%, while total numbers of piglets born (mean ± SE) were 9.39 ± 0.55 and 9.74 ± 0.53 per litter for the IU and IC groups, respectively. Numbers of piglets born alive were 8.97 ± 0.54 and 9.29 ± 0.52 per litter for the IU and IC groups, respectively. Total numbers of piglets born per litter and farrowing rates in the IU and IC groups were not significantly different (P > .05). Estimated costs (US$) per pregnant sow, per pig born, and per pig born alive were $3.68, $0.36, $0.38, respectively, for the IU catheter and $0.60, $0.06, $0.06, respectively, for the IC catheter. Implications: No performance difference is observed between groups inseminated using IU or IC methods. Since IU catheters are more expensive, the IC method of artificial insemination has an economic advantage under the conditions of this study.