Single Fixed-Time Post-Cervical Insemination in Gilts with Buserelin

Current protocols for gilts recommend the deposit of multiple semen doses in the cervix each 12–24 h after estrus detection. Our objectives were: (1) to determine the effect of buserelin and a single fixed-time artificial insemination using the new post-cervical artificial insemination technique (FT...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Andrés Suárez-Usbeck, Olga Mitjana, María Teresa Tejedor, Cristina Bonastre, Jorge Sistac, Antonio Ubiergo, María Victoria Falceto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
Series:Animals
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/11/6/1567
Description
Summary:Current protocols for gilts recommend the deposit of multiple semen doses in the cervix each 12–24 h after estrus detection. Our objectives were: (1) to determine the effect of buserelin and a single fixed-time artificial insemination using the new post-cervical artificial insemination technique (FTAI-PCAI) on reproductive and productive performance in gilts, and (2) to compare this protocol with conventional estrus detection and double PCAI without hormonal induction. In the control group (C; <i>n</i> = 240), gilts were inseminated twice (8 and 12 h from estrus onset). Gilts in the treatment group (T; <i>n</i> = 226) received buserelin (10 μg, intramuscular) 120 h after altrenogest treatment (18 d) and one single PCAI 30–33 h after buserelin administration. The groups did not differ in reproductive and production performance (<i>p</i> > 0.05). The T group showed greater piglet birth weight and shorter estrus duration (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Delivery batch length differed significantly depending on the season (<i>p</i> < 0.05); the shortest length corresponded to autumn. Both groups only differed significantly in spring (<i>p</i> = 0.018), with a shorter length in the T group. This new FTAI-PCAI protocol with buserelin is recommended in gilts, helping with optimization of genetic diffusion, boars, and semen doses.
ISSN:2076-2615