title: A retrospective study on the preserving capacity of a commercial boar semen extender.
abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the preserving capacity of a commercial, long-term boar semen extender beyond 4 days in terms of farrowing failure and total born per litter in sows and gilts. Data from 21 farms were subjected to logistic and linear regression analyses to assess the effect of parity (2-5, > 5 and gilts), wean-to-service interval (</= 5 and >/= 6 days) and number of AI (1, 2, or 3) on the association between semen age (</= 6, 7, 8, 9, and >/=10 days) and fertility. As the semen age increased, the likelihood of farrowing failure increased and total born per litter decreased in sows and gilts. The effect of semen ageing on farrowing failure was more pronounced in sows than in gilts as in the latter it became significant only after 8 days. The effect of semen ageing on total born per litter was similar in both sows and gilts. A lower parity and wean-to-service interval were associated with a reduction in farrowing failure and increase in total born per litter in sows. Increasing the number of inseminations up to two was beneficial in reducing farrowing failure in sows and gilts. A third insemination increased the likelihood of farrowing failure in sows. The number of total born per litter in sows increased with number of inseminations and the effect was not significant in gilts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Population Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, 1988 Fitch Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108, USA.
authors.forename: Sukumarannair S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Anil
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Larriestra
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deen
authors.forename: Robert B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: Luke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Minion
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000662:veterinary; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012662:Semen Preservation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors