Site espanhol Site portugues
10 de Setembro de 2020

The importance of correct storage of genetic material in pig farming

In recent years, global demand for swine meat has increased. Consequently, the need for the pig industry to reinvent itself so that production takes place in a sustainable, technified, efficient and competitive manner has also increased.

Clearly, the use of new technologies in pig farming has progressed rapidly in recent decades, through various levels of technology use. In this scenario, the use of genetically superior animals directly reflects in a higher productivity and profitability of the system, as well as in the superior quality of the pork produced. Reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination and dissemination of liquid genetics allowed the introduction of lines and animals of great productive potential in reproductive plantations.

Currently, more than 90% of commercial pig systems globally, use artificial insemination with cooled and stored pig semen from 15 to 18°C as a form of genetic dissemination. The use of this technique makes it possible to dilute and obtain multiple doses from a single ejaculate. In this way, the number of breeding males can be reduced, in addition to reducing costs per inseminated swine, accelerating genetic improvement and greater health security. According to commercial suppliers, the dilution of the ejaculate can be performed with diluents classified as short, medium and long-term based on the ability to preserve swine semen from 1 to 2, 3 to 4 or 7 to 10 days after collection, respectively. Diluents have the function of providing nutrients for sperm metabolism, neutralizing metabolic waste, stabilizing sperm membranes, maintaining osmotic balance and retarding bacterial growth during storage. However, the storage capacity is limited, since the metabolism of the sperm cell is not inhibited, which makes the environment conducive to the multiplication of bacteria and cell aging, especially when the storage conditions are not properly respected.

In general, inseminating doses are stored at 15 to 18°C for up to five days after collection. The low temperature of storage has as main function to slow down the metabolic processes, causing a lower consumption of cellular energy. This low consumption, aims to prolong the viability of sperm cells and, consequently, reduce damage related to cell aging. In this context, it is essential that temperature fluctuations during storage are avoided, especially temperatures below 15°C, or sudden drops in temperature. This is because swine sperm is especially sensitive to low temperatures, unlike other species such as cattle and humans. This sensitivity is explained by the physical-chemical characteristics of the sperm membranes, which when exposed to low temperatures lead to a reduction in sperm movements, causing damage to their functionality. When falls of over 2°C occur, sperm readjust their own metabolism in order to adapt to the imposed changes, generating an unnecessary energy expenditure. In addition, in these situations the composition of the diluent is also changed, which consequently decreases the quality and useful life of the inseminating doses, ultimately reducing the fertilizing potential of the doses produced and the reproductive efficiency of a herd.

In recent decades, numerous studies have clarified and developed new techniques to allow the storage of doses for long periods, reduction of the use of antimicrobials in inseminating doses, more accurate techniques of artificial insemination, selection of animals resistant to diseases or animals with greater reproductive capacity and productive, among others. However, if basic points such as storage of inseminating doses are not carried out correctly and safely in the field, the value of the increment generated by the use of new technologies is minimal and / or underutilized. In conclusion, when the topic of genetic dissemination is addressed, the interaction of factors such as sperm quality, diluent, male used, storage days and storage quality significantly influences the quality of the sperm dose and productivity of the herd. In this context, it is essential that all factors are carefully respected so that the total productive potential of genetically superior animals can be fully enjoyed.

 

Julia Linck Moroni
Veterinarian, Master student in Swine Reproduction Physiology at the University of Alberta, Canada.

How can we help you? Contact us right now!
To optimize your browsing experience, we use cookies. By continuing on the site, we consider that you agree with our Privacy and Cookies Policy.    

The importance of correct storage of genetic material in pig farming

In recent years, global demand for swine meat has increased. Consequently, the need for the pig industry to reinvent itself so that production takes place in a sustainable, technified, efficient and competitive manner has also increased.

Clearly, the use of new technologies in pig farming has progressed rapidly in recent decades, through various levels of technology use. In this scenario, the use of genetically superior animals directly reflects in a higher productivity and profitability of the system, as well as in the superior quality of the pork produced. Reproductive biotechnologies such as artificial insemination and dissemination of liquid genetics allowed the introduction of lines and animals of great productive potential in reproductive plantations.

Currently, more than 90% of commercial pig systems globally, use artificial insemination with cooled and stored pig semen from 15 to 18°C as a form of genetic dissemination. The use of this technique makes it possible to dilute and obtain multiple doses from a single ejaculate. In this way, the number of breeding males can be reduced, in addition to reducing costs per inseminated swine, accelerating genetic improvement and greater health security. According to commercial suppliers, the dilution of the ejaculate can be performed with diluents classified as short, medium and long-term based on the ability to preserve swine semen from 1 to 2, 3 to 4 or 7 to 10 days after collection, respectively. Diluents have the function of providing nutrients for sperm metabolism, neutralizing metabolic waste, stabilizing sperm membranes, maintaining osmotic balance and retarding bacterial growth during storage. However, the storage capacity is limited, since the metabolism of the sperm cell is not inhibited, which makes the environment conducive to the multiplication of bacteria and cell aging, especially when the storage conditions are not properly respected.

In general, inseminating doses are stored at 15 to 18°C for up to five days after collection. The low temperature of storage has as main function to slow down the metabolic processes, causing a lower consumption of cellular energy. This low consumption, aims to prolong the viability of sperm cells and, consequently, reduce damage related to cell aging. In this context, it is essential that temperature fluctuations during storage are avoided, especially temperatures below 15°C, or sudden drops in temperature. This is because swine sperm is especially sensitive to low temperatures, unlike other species such as cattle and humans. This sensitivity is explained by the physical-chemical characteristics of the sperm membranes, which when exposed to low temperatures lead to a reduction in sperm movements, causing damage to their functionality. When falls of over 2°C occur, sperm readjust their own metabolism in order to adapt to the imposed changes, generating an unnecessary energy expenditure. In addition, in these situations the composition of the diluent is also changed, which consequently decreases the quality and useful life of the inseminating doses, ultimately reducing the fertilizing potential of the doses produced and the reproductive efficiency of a herd.

In recent decades, numerous studies have clarified and developed new techniques to allow the storage of doses for long periods, reduction of the use of antimicrobials in inseminating doses, more accurate techniques of artificial insemination, selection of animals resistant to diseases or animals with greater reproductive capacity and productive, among others. However, if basic points such as storage of inseminating doses are not carried out correctly and safely in the field, the value of the increment generated by the use of new technologies is minimal and / or underutilized. In conclusion, when the topic of genetic dissemination is addressed, the interaction of factors such as sperm quality, diluent, male used, storage days and storage quality significantly influences the quality of the sperm dose and productivity of the herd. In this context, it is essential that all factors are carefully respected so that the total productive potential of genetically superior animals can be fully enjoyed.

 

Julia Linck Moroni
Veterinarian, Master student in Swine Reproduction Physiology at the University of Alberta, Canada.

How can we help you? Contact us right now!
To optimize your browsing experience, we use cookies. By continuing on the site, we consider that you agree with our Privacy and Cookies Policy.