Reproductive Technologies in Swine Management

Reproductive technologies in modern swine production centre on efficient breeding strategies that enhance genetic improvement, optimise labour and reduce resource use. The cornerstone remains artificial insemination (AI), which in its traditional form deposits semen at the cervical entrance but has evolved into post-cervical and deep cervical techniques to lower sperm doses and improve fertilisation rates. Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) protocols employ hormonal synchronisation—often with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists, equine chorionic gonadotropin or luteinising hormone analogues—to align ovulation precisely with insemination, obviating intensive oestrus detection. Concurrently, sensor-based systems and machine-learning algorithms have emerged for automated oestrus detection, offering real-time monitoring of individual sows to fine-tune insemination timing. These innovations are complemented by advances in embryo technologies, such as in vitro fertilisation and cryopreservation, which promise long-term conservation of elite genetics. Together, these approaches have broad implications for herd productivity, animal welfare and the sustainability of pork supply chains globally.

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Reproductive Technologies in Swine Management publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in reproductive technologies in swine management across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Artificial insemination (AI): introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract to achieve fertilisation without natural mating.

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI): a protocol that synchronises ovulation with hormonal treatments to allow insemination at a predetermined time without repeated oestrus detection.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist: a synthetic compound that stimulates the release of luteinising hormone to induce or synchronise ovulation.

Oestrus detection: identification of the period of sexual receptivity in sows, traditionally by observing behavioural signs, now increasingly aided by automated sensor systems.

References

1. A new device for deep cervical artificial insemination in gilts reduces the number of sperm per dose without impairing final reproductive performance. Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology (2019).
2. Reproductive performance of gilts submitted to post-cervical artificial insemination. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (2017).
3. Reproductive performance of fixed-time artificial insemination in swine and factors for the technology success. Ciência Rural (2019).
4. The evaluation of an artificial intelligence system for estrus detection in sows. Porcine Health Management (2023).
5. Buserelin Acetate Added to Boar Semen Enhances Litter Size in Gilts in Tropical Environments. Animals (2024).
6. Use of a Vaginally Administered Gel Containing the GnRH Agonist Triptorelin and a Single, Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination in Pigs under Commercial Conditions: Productive and Economic Impacts. Animals (2024).