Single Fixed-Time Post-Cervical Insemination in Gilts with Buserelin
Andrés Suárez-Usbeck,
Olga Mitjana,
María Teresa Tejedor,
Cristina Bonastre,
Jorge Sistac,
Antonio Ubiergo,
María Victoria Falceto
Affiliations
Andrés Suárez-Usbeck
Department of Animal Pathology, Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon-IA2, University of Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Olga Mitjana
Department of Animal Pathology, Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon-IA2, University of Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
María Teresa Tejedor
Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, Genetic s Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Cristina Bonastre
Department of Animal Pathology, Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon-IA2, University of Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Jorge Sistac
Granja Fabardo (Mazana Grupo Empresarial), 22480 Capella, Huesca, Spain
Antonio Ubiergo
Semen Costean, CIA, 22312 Costean, Huesca, Spain
María Victoria Falceto
Department of Animal Pathology, Agroalimentary Institute of Aragon-IA2, University of Zaragoza-CITA, C/Miguel Servet 177, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
Current protocols for gilts recommend the deposit of multiple semen doses in the cervix each 12–24 h after estrus detection. Our objectives were: (1) to determine the effect of buserelin and a single fixed-time artificial insemination using the new post-cervical artificial insemination technique (FTAI-PCAI) on reproductive and productive performance in gilts, and (2) to compare this protocol with conventional estrus detection and double PCAI without hormonal induction. In the control group (C; n = 240), gilts were inseminated twice (8 and 12 h from estrus onset). Gilts in the treatment group (T; n = 226) received buserelin (10 μg, intramuscular) 120 h after altrenogest treatment (18 d) and one single PCAI 30–33 h after buserelin administration. The groups did not differ in reproductive and production performance (p > 0.05). The T group showed greater piglet birth weight and shorter estrus duration (p p p = 0.018), with a shorter length in the T group. This new FTAI-PCAI protocol with buserelin is recommended in gilts, helping with optimization of genetic diffusion, boars, and semen doses.