We evaluated the effectiveness of deep intrauterine insemination (DUI) with a reduced number of boar spermatozoa in weaned sows. Using a newly developed DUI catheter that has been approved as a medical device, we were able to reduce the number of spermatozoa inseminated 5-20-fold without affecting farrowing rates or litter sizes in comparison with standard artificial insemination under field conditions. The application of this procedure to artificial insemination shows great promise in cases of semen from superior boars, allowing widespread and effective use of the males, or in sanitary contingencies.
(Research Team for Production Diseases, TEL+81-29-838-7708)