New Technologies in Reproduction Donald G Levis Ph

New Technologies in Reproduction Donald G. Levis, Ph. D Ohio Pork Industry Center The Ohio State University 122 C Animal Sciences Building Columbus, OH 43210 -1095 Telephone: 614 292 1351 Cell: 614 404 7248 E-mail: levis. 7@osu. edu Web site: http: //porkinfo. osu. edu January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 1

Pork producers definitely need to keep an open mind about research and new technology! "Everything that can be invented has been invented. " Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U. S. Office of Patents, 1899. "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home. " Ken Olson, President, Chairman, and Founder of Digital Equipment Corp. , 1977. There are no “silver” bullets to replace excellent management! January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 2

Most important factor to increase reproductive efficiency is PEOPLE Workers are not robots! High quality workers are: • Thinkers • Self-motivated • Team players • Problem solvers • Have good observation skills • Have self-confidence • Pay attention to details • Eager to learn January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 3

Evaluating Reproductive Technologies Instead of making decisions about the value of reproductive technologies on farrowing rate or litter size, base your decision on fecundity index (farrowing rate x litter size) or actual number of pigs produced and economics. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 4

Try to prevent making erroneous conclusions from: • Testimonials – How many people broadcast their failures? • Trials with a small number of animals per treatment • Improperly conducted field trials – Do you know what an improperly conducted field trial looks like? • Factors known to influence the results are not controlled (confounded). • Real effects of the treatments are not known. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 5

Factors to help ensure a true difference is detected between two insemination catheters 1. Estimate the number of sows to inseminate per treatment (seek assistance) 2. Parity is about the same for both treatments 3. Genetics is the same for both treatments 4. Inseminate as close as possible an equal number of sows per day per treatment 5. Use the same type of semen for both treatments (genetics, age, extender, etc. ) January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 6

Factors to help ensure a true difference is detected between two insemination catheters (continued) 6. Make sure an equal number of doses of semen for each type of catheter are stored in the same cooler 7. Make sure the same number of services per sow per type of catheter is used 8. Make sure the same sow is always inseminated with the same type of catheter 9. Make sure the same technician inseminates the same number of sows with each catheter January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 7

Factors to help ensure a true difference is detected between two insemination catheters (continued) 10. Make sure the weaning-to-estrus interval is the same for each type of catheter 11. Make sure the number of recently weaned sows, late cycling sows, & repeat breeders are the same for each type of catheter 12. Make sure the breeding technician writes the catheter code on the breeding card 13. If possible, collect pertinent data on a weekly basis for individual sows January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 8

Factors to help ensure a true difference is detected between two insemination catheters (continued) 14. Prepare a set of instructions to be strictly followed by breeding technicians 15. Educate the people about the purpose and value of experiment 16. Have someone help statistically analyze the data. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 9

A lot of field trials have too few of animals per treatment to detect a true difference • Want to detect. 2 piglets per litter difference between two treatments • Standard Deviation is 2. 97 • Want a 95% probability of detecting a correct answer • Number of animal per treatment is 753 sows January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 10

http: //porkinfo. osu. edu/Excel%20 Spreadsheets/Intrauterine. AIform. xls January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 11

January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 12

Problem – Results of research trials can change over time Jan – Jun 1998 Jun – Dec 1998 Jan – Jun 1999 y x x x xy within time period (P <. 05) About 1, 000 matings for each extender during each time period January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa W. L. Flowers, 2001 13

Are there “new” technologies in swine reproduction that can now be used economically by commercial pork producers? • • Estrous synchronization of cyclic gilts - Yes Estrous detection procedures - Maybe Artificial insemination procedures – Maybe Reducing sperm numbers - Maybe Sexing of boar semen – No Embryo transfer - No Cloning - No January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 14

Intra-Uterine Insemination • Intra-uterine “body” insemination (IUBI) • Deep intra-uterine “horn” insemination (DIUHI) January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 15

Suggested beneficial aspects of intra-uterine body AI: • • • Less back-flow Fewer sperm cells per dose Smaller volume required Less time needed to inseminate Less boars will be needed to produce sperm cells • Genetic cost will be lower? January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 16

Uterus is hostile to sperm Intra-uterine body placement of sperm cells Traditional placement of sperm cells January 28, 2004 Site of fertilization Phagocytosis Massive influx of polymorphonuclear leucocytes at 30 minutes to 3 hours after spermatozoa enter uterine horn Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 17

Uterine body Deep. Goldenpig 8 inches Goldenpig January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 18

Fecundity index of sows inseminated with a cervical or IUB catheter 355 pigs FR, 86. 9 FR, 65. 8 LS, 10. 9 LS, 9. 0 N=112 2 pigs FR, 92. 5 FR, 91. 8 LS, 10. 9 N=19 3 pigs FR, 90. 5 FR, 91. 1 LS, 11. 0 LS, 10. 9 N=76 Watson and Behan, IMV Swine News Bulletin, August 2001 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 19

Influence of semen cost on net profit Cost of semen per dose $6. 00 $5. 50 $5. 00 Method of AI IUBI Sperm cells per dose, Estimated yearly net profit billion One $333, 155 $338, 255 $343, 356 Cervical Two Three $343, 202 $342, 644 Farrowing rate: 1 B = 86. 9%; 2 B = 91. 8%; 3 B = 91. 1% Litter size is 10. 9 for all cases. Weekly farrowing, 100 farrowing crates per week, 10% preweaning death loss, 4 min per insemination, $10 per hr of labor, 15% of group is gilts, 2 inseminations per estrus, over-breed January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 20

Farm 1 (Spain) • • N= 130 N= 110 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $157, 629 – IUC = $149, 136 – Diff = $ 8, 493 Gil et al. , 17 th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 21

Farm 2 (Spain) • • N= 50 N= 51 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $216, 778 – IUC = $197, 197 – Diff = $ 19, 581 Gil et al. , 17 th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 22

Farm 3 (Argentina) • • N= 50 N= 51 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $190, 200 – IUC = $170, 548 – Diff = $ 19, 652 Levis et al. , American Association of Swine Veterinarians, 2001 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 23

Farm 4 (Spain) • • N= 32 N= 50 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $160, 529 – IUC = $159, 474 – Diff = $ 1, 055 Lapuente et al. , American Association of Swine Veterinarians, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 24

Farm 5 (Spain) • • N= 112 N= 117 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $192, 721 – IUC = $182, 871 – Diff = $ 9, 850 Gil et al. , 17 th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 25

Farm 6 (Spain) • • N= 19 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $194, 139 – IUC = $207, 177 – Diff = $ 13, 038 Gil et al. , 17 th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 26

Farm 7 (Mexico) • • N= 76 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each IUB catheter: 79¢ each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $199, 249 – IUC = $204, 308 – Diff = $ 5, 059 Gil et al. , 17 th International Pig Veterinary Society Congress, Page 229, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 27

http: //www. absoluteinsemination. com/Pingtung%20 University. htm (Taiwan) January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 28

Litter size born alive by type of catheter Cervical catheter = 10. 7 pigs per litter; Parity = 3. 97 ± 1. 65 Absolute catheter = 11. 9 pigs per litter; Parity = 4. 35 ± 1. 54 N =N = 14 4 18 15 14 7 6 9 7 8 8 5 Swine Vet Center, Dec. 30, 2003. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 29

Farrowing rate by type of catheter Item Number bred Farrowing rate, % Cervical catheter ~ 80 80% Absolute catheter ~ 50 94% What is the exact number of sows bred? 67 farrowed with cervical catheter 48 farrowed with absolute catheter What is the actual farrowing rate? January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 30

Minnesota • • Remember, small number of sows per treatment! January 28, 2004 Farrowings/week: 54 Semen/dose: $6. 00 No. matings: 2 Cervical catheter: 17¢ each Abs catheter: $1. 25 each PW death: 10% Profit after catheter, labor & semen cost – CC = $175, 597 – IUC = $203, 907 – Diff. = $ 28, 310 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 31

Is the improved effect the result of forcing the sperm cells farther up the uterine horn by pressure? January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 32

Deep Intra-uterine Horn Insemination • Flexible catheter – Used on non-sedated estrous sows – Practical for commercial use – Use fewer sperm cells per dose January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 33

Deep Intra-uterine “Horn” Artificial Insemination 150 million sperm in 5 m. L + 5 m. L extender Contralateral Uterine horn Ipsilateral Uterine horn It is unknown how sperm cells from one uterine horn are able to fertilize eggs in both horns! January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa Photo: Belstra, North Carolina State University Annual Swine Report, 2002 34

Deep Intra-uterine “Horn” Artificial Insemination Fir. Flex® Catheter (Patented by University of Murcia) Marketed in Europe by MAGAPOR (Spain, Portugal, Hungary) Will there be welfare issues? January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 35

Effect of number of sperm cells per dose on fecundity index when inseminating non-sedated sows with a flexible catheter Martinez et al. , Reproduction 123: 163 -170, 2002. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 36

“Asymptotic” relationship between number of sperm cells inseminated and number of pigs born alive 40 to 50 ejaculates/boar Semen used within 48 hrs of collection J. Anim. Sci. 80 (E. Suppl. 1): E 47 -E 53, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 37

“Linear” relationship between number of sperm cells inseminated and number of pigs born alive 40 to 50 ejaculates/boar Semen used within 48 hrs of collection J. Anim. Sci. 80 (E. Suppl. 1): E 47 -E 53, 2002 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 38

Effect of number of sperm cells per dose and boar on farrowing rate 40 to 50 ejaculates/boar Manipulating Pig Production VIII, pp 157 -165. 2001 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 39

Effect of age of semen and number of sperm per insemination dose on litter size (BTS extender) Age of semen, hrs 3 billion sperm 5 billion sperm 0 & 24 48 & 72 10. 9 a. X 11. 0 10. 6 a. X 96 & 120 10. 2 b. X ab Different within column, P <. 05 XY Different within row, P <. 05 January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 9. 8 b. Y Anim. Sci. 62: 599 -504, 1996. 40

Motility of sperm cells with or without caffeine (BTS extender) I would expect a decrease in litter size! January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 41

Hands-free insemination devices • • • AI Buddy Weighted Breed-n Buddy Weighted breeding saddle (KUBUS) Weighed breeding saddle (Minitube) EZ Mate® A. I. Belt Duct tape method Weight: Gilts = 13 to 18 lbs; Sows = 31 lbs These devices should only be used when carefully supervised!! January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 42

Use of EZ-Mate Belt & Weight during artificial insemination EZ-Mate & weight Human Diff. Number of sows 194 204 10 Duration of time to AI 1. 73 2. 23 0. 5 Backflow, m. L 7. 66 6. 67 . 99 Sperm lost, billion 1. 28 1. 19 . 09 Farrowing Rate, % 90. 8 94. 0 -3. 2 Litter size 11. 7 11. 9 -0. 2 Fecundity index 1062 1119 -57 Item January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 43

What to do when heat-check boars do not smell! • Spray them with a can of boar odor • Wipe them with a boar stink stick January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 44

Boar “Stink” Stick (1” PVC pipe & Rags) Recharge once or twice daily with saliva, preputial fluids, a small amount of urine Stimulates standing Releases oxytocin January 28, 2004 sperm transport. Iowa Pork Congress Enhances Des Moines, Iowa Levis, University of Nebraska 45

Monitor the temperature in a semen cooler! Photograph: IMV International January 28, 2004 Purchase these with an external sensor for wet environment Place external sensor in a bottle of water Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 46

Be careful about fine tuning the number and timing of inseminations January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 47

Relationship between weaning to onset of estrus, average duration of estrus and average time of ovulation 61 53 41 January 28, 2004 49 38 37 34 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 27 48

Variation in “time” of ovulation according to duration of estrus (Estrous detection at 8 -hour intervals) Ovulation = 11. 1 +. 48 x duration of estrus R 2 =. 6; P =. 0001; n = 144 46 hrs 22 hrs 2. 3 days (Multiparous sows) January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 49

Recommended number and interval between artificial inseminations for multiparous sows 1 st found Week days in estrus Weekend 1 st 2 nd 7 -9: 30 AM Day 1 1 -2: 30 PM Day 1 7– 9: 30 AM Day 2 1 st found in estrus 1 st AI 2 nd 7 -9: 30 AM Day 1 7– 9: 30 AM Day 2 AI 3 rd PM Day 2 7 -9: 30 AM Day 3 Estrous detection is once per day: 7: 00 to 9: 30 am January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 50

Time of inseminating multiparous sows 24 -hour interval between inseminations 1 st 2 nd 3 rd Viable sperm, 24 hrs First found in estrus Viable sperm J. Reprod. Fert. 104: 99 -106, 1995. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 51

Recommended number and interval between artificial inseminations for replacement gilts 1 st found Week days in estrus Weekend 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 7 -9: 30 AM Day 1 1 -2: 30 PM Day 1 7– 9: 30 AM Day 2 1 PM Day 2 1 st found in estrus 1 st 2 nd 7 -9: 30 AM Day 1 10 -11: 30 AM 7– 9: 30 AM Day 2 Day 1 Estrous detection is once per day: 7: 00 to 9: 30 am January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 52

Closely evaluate lactation feed intake • Maximize feed intake during first 7 to 10 days of lactation – Especially first litter sows – Reproductive hormones are effected January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 53

Effect of ambient temperature on lactation feed intake and body weight loss 12. 5 11. 9 10. 8 9. 9 6. 8 J. Anim. Sci. 77: 2124 -2134, 1999. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 54

The End I would like to thank the Iowa Pork Producers Association for inviting me to give this presentation. January 28, 2004 Iowa Pork Congress Des Moines, Iowa 55