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  • Title: Strategies to improve the fertility of frozen-thawed boar semen for artificial insemination.
    Author: Roca J, Rodŕiguez-Martínez H, Vázquez JM, Bolarín A, Hernández M, Saravia F, Wallgren M, Martínez EA.
    Journal: Soc Reprod Fertil Suppl; 2006; 62():261-75. PubMed ID: 16866323.
    Abstract:
    Although cryopreservation of boar semen for artificial insemination (AI) was developed 35 years ago, cryopreservation conditions and AI strategies are still considered sub-optimal. AI with excessive numbers of frozen-thawed sperm (5-6 x 10(9) cells), still does not achieve fertility levels similar to AI using liquid semen because of reduced sperm survival. Frozen-thawed (FT) spermatozoa have therefore not been the preferred option for commercial breeding programmes. However, substantial progress has been made regarding boar sperm cryopreservation. Adjustment of cooling and re-warming rates to biophysical properties of boar spermatozoa, new sperm package systems and the achievement of accurately consistent freezing of large numbers of samples using programmable freezers have contributed to post-thaw survival rates above 50%, a threshold similar to that used for bull AI-semen. Moreover, these post-thaw sperm survival rates are consistent within a large population of boars selected for sperm freezability potential, as occurs with AI-bull sires. When such post-thaw boar semen is deposited intra-utero, acceptable fertility (in terms of farrowing rates and litter size) is obtained. Currently, the most effective application of FT-semen for AI is achieved using deep uterine-AI (DUI) which allows placement of a minimal semen dose (in volume 0.5 to 10 mL and sperm number 0.5 to 1 x 10(9) total spermatozoa) into the anterior 1/3 of one uterine horn, with levels of fertility close to AI with liquid semen. However, owing to their shorter life span, FT-boar spermatozoa require an AI-to-ovulation interval not longer than 4-6 h, making peri-ovulatory AI a pre-requisite to obtain the highest possible fertility. Spontaneous ovulation most often occurs when two-thirds of oestrus has passed. Estimation of the duration of oestrus, taking into account the weaning-to-oestrus interval, is helpful when establishing appropriate AI-schedules. However, as the length of oestrus varies within and between farms, different AI strategies should be established a priori. The development of bio-sensors for spontaneous ovulation will widen the use of AI with frozen-thawed frozen semen.
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