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Additional file 3: Table S3. Isolated bacteria species of potential concern for artificial insemination: Bacteria species were isolated from raw semen and split semen samples preserved in BTS with antibiotics (0.25 g/L gentamicin sulphate, BTS w/AB) at 17 °C or in AndroStar® Premium without antibiotics (APrem w/o AB) at 5 °C for 72 h (experiment 1).

Additional file 4: Table S4. Sperm motility and acrosome defects of semen pools (n = 6) used for insemination (experiment 2).

Additional file 1: Table S1. Sublethal sperm damage in semen samples: Semen samples were extended in AndroStar® Premium and stored at 17 °C with antibiotics (17 °C w/AB; 0.25 g/L gentamicin sulphate) or at 5 °C without antibiotics (5 °C w/o AB): Distribution of viable (Yo-Pro-1 neg) spermatozoa (%; means ± SEM) with low (M540 negative) or high (M540 positive) membrane fluidity and intact (PNA negative) or defective (PNA positive) acrosome (n = 9 boars, experiment 1).

Additional file 2: Table S2. Sublethal damage of sperm function in semen samples: Semen samples were extended in AndroStar® Premium and stored at 17 °C with antibiotics (17 °C w/AB; 0.25 g/L gentamicin sulphate) or at 5 °C without antibiotics (5 °C w/o AB). After 72 h of storage, sublethal damage of sperm function were determined under capacitating (Tyrode A) and non-capacitating (Tyrode C) conditions: Distribution of viable (Hoechst 33258 negative) spermatozoa (%; means ± SEM) with high (JC-1 aggregate positive) or low (JC-1 aggregate negative) mitochondria membrane potential and high (Calbryte 630 positive) or low (Calbryte 630 negative) intracellular calcium (n = 9 boars, experiment 1).

Fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) is a reproductive technology that aids in obtaining an appropriate time to perform single artificial insemination (AI), thus reducing the number of inseminations per sow bred. FTAI protocols can either be based on estrus detection or day of weaning, aiming to synchronize ovulation using ovulation inducers. The protocols involving estrus detection usually employ porcine luteinizing hormone (pLH) as an inducer and, in general, satisfactory reproductive performance is observed. For protocols based on weaning day, the main hormone used is analog of gonadotropin-releasing hormone such as triptorelin and buserelin. Regardless of the protocol, the number of piglets born is usually not affected by FTAI. However, a possible compromise in the farrowing rate should be considered. The FTAI in gilts requires progestogen treatment for estrus synchronization, increasing the labor requirement and cost of protocol. Some of the benefits of FTAI are a reduced number of semen doses required, advantage of planning the breeding time and; consequently, optimizing labor involved. However, the limitations include a slight reduction in the fertility index due to the compromised farrowing rate in some cases, costs incurred by following the protocol, and difficulty in measuring all the conceptual benefits under commercial conditions. The aim of this review is to approach the reproductive performance of the current protocols of FTAI, considering the benefits and limitations of this technology in swine production. RESUMO: A inseminação artificial em tempo fixo (IATF) surge como uma biotecnologia para definir o melhor momento para realizar uma única IA, reduzindo o número de células espermáticas por fêmea inseminada. Os protocolos de IATF podem se basear na detecção do estro ou na data de desmame e têm como objetivo sincronizar a ovulação a partir do uso de indutores da ovulação. Protocolos baseados na detecção de estro comumente utilizam o hormônio luteinizante suíno (pLH) como indutor e, de maneira geral, resultados satisfatórios têm sido observados quanto à performance reprodutiva. No caso dos protocolos baseados na data de desmame, os principais hormônios utilizados são os análogos do hormônio liberador de gonadotrofina: triptorelina e buserelina. Independentemente do protocolo, o número de nascidos totais normalmente não é afetado pelo uso da IATF. Porém, um possível comprometimento na taxa de parto deve ser considerado. Já a aplicação da IATF em leitoas requer o fornecimento de um progestágeno, para sincronização do estro, aumentando o manejo e o custo do protocolo. A IATF pode proporcionar diversos benefícios para a indústria suinícola, uma vez que é possível reduzir o número de doses de sêmen produzidas, melhorar o planejamento de coberturas e, consequentemente, otimizar a mão de obra. No entanto, essa biotecnologia apresenta limitações devendo ser considerado a redução nos dados de fertilidade, uma vez que a taxa de parto pode ser comprometida em alguns casos e, o custo do protocolo e a dificuldade de estimar todos os benefícios conceituais da IATF quando aplicada sob condições comerciais. O objetivo dessa revisão é abordar o desempenho reprodutivo dos mais recentes protocolos de IATF, considerando os benefícios e as limitações dessa tecnologia na produção de suínos.

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Background: Several factors infl uence the survival and performance of piglets during lactation. Birth weight appears as one of the most important factors affecting the survival of piglets, mainly during the fi rst week after birth. There is also a positive correlation between birth weight and weaning weight. In addition to the birth weight, the presence of oral, umbilical or limb lesions can compromise the performance of suckling piglets, affecting their weaning weight. Although limb lesions are common among suckling piglets, there is little information associating these lesions with piglet performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the infl uence of birth weight as well as of oral, umbilical or limb lesions on mortality and performance of piglets at 7, 14 and 21 days of age. Materials, Methods & Results: The study was performed in a pig farm located in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A total of 2004 piglets were evaluated for the presence of oral (at the fi rst day of life), umbilical and limb lesions (at the end of fi rst and second weeks of life). Piglets were weighed at birth and at 7, 14 and 21 of age. Overall, birth and weaning weights were respectively 1546 ± 8.2 g and 5837 ± 32.0 g (means ± SEM). Mortality rate from birth to weaning was 4.7% and 79.0% of deaths occurred during the fi rst week of life. Piglets with birth weight until 1200g showed pre-weaning mortality higher (P < 0.05) than heavier piglets (13.0% - 47/362 vs 2.9% - 48/1642). The occurrence of oral lesions at the fi rst day of life did not affect the survival of piglets until weaning. Birth weight was positively correlated with weaning weight (r = 0.515; P < 0.001). The difference between lighter (> 600 g - 900 g) and heavier piglets (> 2100 g) was 1477 g at birth and 3229 g at weaning. Occurrence of oral or umbilical lesions did not compromise the piglet performance. The presence of limb lesions affected negatively the weaning weight (P < 0.05), mainly when lesions were present in the second week of life. Body weight at 21 d of age was higher (P < 0.05) in piglets without lesions (5957 ± 30.4 g) than in piglets with lesions at the second week (5417 ± 125.9 g) or in those with lesions at both fi rst and second weeks of life (5218 ± 104.2 g). Discussion: The mortality rate of 4.7% observed during lactation is lower than that observed in other reports. The occurrence of a low mortality rate in this study may refl ect the continuing presence of employees in facilities and intensive care provided to the piglets at farrowing and during the suckling period. In agreement with other studies, lighter piglets presented higher pre-weaning mortality than heavier piglets, and 70.5% of deaths occurred in piglets weighing between 600 g and 1500 g. Birth weight was also shown to be a determinant factor for weight gain until weaning, confi rming the results of previous studies. Piglets with a low body weight at birth have low body energy reserves and a reduced ability to maintain their body temperature. These aspects result in a lower colostrum and milk intake, a reduction of passive immunity and undernourishment, resulting in a lower survival and pre-weaning performance. It has been shown that most of limb lesions may cause only discomfort to piglets, but can also act as a gateway to infectious pathogens which result in relevant lesions. The reduction of body weight observed in piglets which had limb lesions during the second week of life may be associated with the fact that from this week onwards there is an increase in daily weight gain of piglets, then limiting their potential body weight gain if lesions are present during this phase.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a associação do comportamento de fêmeas suínas mantidas em baias coletivas, durante a alimentação, com o ganho de peso no último mês de gestação, e determinar se a uniformidade de peso das leitegadas é influenciada pelo ganho de peso das fêmeas. As fêmeas (n = 699) foram separadas em três grupos de ordem de parto (OP): 2, 3-5 e 6-9. Cada grupo de OP foi dividido em três subgrupos com percentual de ganho de peso: baixo, médio e alto. Fêmeas de OP 6-9 tiveram mais leitões com peso menor que 1.200 g e maior coeficiente de variação desse peso, em comparação às de OP 2. O menor peso de leitões e o maior número de leitões com peso

O objetivo do trabalho foi relacionar a baixa produtividade com perdas corporais lactacionais, caracterizando o perfil das fêmeas propensas ao risco, estudar detalhadamente este grupo de fêmeas e avaliar possíveis alternativas para minimizar os efeitos do catabolismo. O primeiro experimento analisou fêmeas de diferentes ordens de parto (OP) e perda de peso na lactação. Houve efeito da interação entre ordem de parto e perda de peso na taxa de parto das fêmeas (P0,05) para IDE e total de leitões nascidos. Fêmeas OP1 apresentaram IDE mais longo e menor tamanho da leitegada no parto subsequente (P0,05), mas reduziram o tamanho da leitegada do parto seguinte (P0.05) on WEI and subsequent total born. PO1 females presented longer WEI and lower litter size on subsequent farrowing compared to PO2 and PO3-5 females. Weight loss did not affect WEI (P>0.05), but it was related to a decrease of litter size in the subsequent farrowing (P

Background: Crossfostering is the transference of piglets to either equalize litter size or to formation of homogeneous litters according to the birth weight. It is used in order to improve survival rate and weight gain of piglets during lactation. Several aspects influence the results of crossfostering, as the moment when this management is performed, size of the piglets and parity order (PO) of biological and adoptive dams. Crossfostering should be performed, preferably between six and 24 h after farrowing, before teat order has been established and so that piglets can absorb the maximum of colostrum immunoglobulins from their biological dams. Performance and viability of piglets during lactation depends on the quality of colostrum and milk production of biological and adoptive dam, which varies according to PO. The aim of the experiment was to assess the performance of biological and adopted piglets crossfostered in PO 1 and PO 5 females. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty females (18 PO 1 and 12 PO 5 females), of Agroceres PIC® genetic, from a Piglet Production Unit, were used for this experiment. Piglets were crossfostered within eight to 24 h after farrowing. Litters were formed with 11 piglets each, with 1.2 to 1.6 kg at birth. Piglets were individually earmarked at the time they were crossfostered. In PO 1 sows 50% of their original piglets remained and 50% of piglets were adopted from PO 5 sows. Similarly, PO 5 sows kept 50% of their piglets and received 50% of adopted piglets from PO 1 sows. For the statistical analysis, four groups were taken into account as followed: PO1B1 - piglets suckling in their original PO 1 dam; PO1A5 - piglets coming from PO 5 sows but adopted by PO 1 sows; PO5B5 - piglets suckling in their original PO 5 dam, and PO5A1 - piglets coming from PO 1 sows but adopted by PO 5 sows. Piglets were weighed at seven, 14 and 18 days old. Discussion: The mortality rate until 18 days of lactation was 0.9% and was similar among groups (P > 0.05). Within the same PO there was no difference (P > 0.05) in weight among biological and adopted piglets (2.53 vs. 2.56, 4.07 vs. 4.08, 5.05 vs. 5.06 for litters of PO 1 sows and 2.84 vs. 2.82, 4.80 vs. 4.78, 5.90 vs. 6.05 for litters of PO 5 sows, at days seven, 14 and 18, respectively). Piglets nursed by PO 5 sows showed higher weight (P

O experimento 1 caracterizou as fêmeas com intervenção manual no parto, além de avaliar os efeitos que podem ocorrer na sua vida reprodutiva ao longo de 1 ano. Foram coletados dados do parto de 4.121 fêmeas, informações anteriores ao parto e registrados os motivos e momentos de remoção. Os animais foram divididos em grupo Controle (n=3.271) e Intervenção (n=850). O percentual de fêmeas submetidas à intervenção manual no parto foi de 20,6%. Houve aumento na distribuição de intervenções na ordem de parto (OP) acima de 5 e no verão (P0,05). Foi verificada diferença na média de OP (3,6 e 4,7), duração do parto (208,3 e 224,6 min), leitões nascidos vivos (11,9 e 11,6), natimortos (0,3 e 0,6) e no percentual de fêmeas com natimortos (28,6 e 38,8%) nos grupos Controle e Intervenção, respectivamente. A remoção geral foi maior no grupo Intervenção (P=0,001) e antes da IA por motivos não reprodutivos (P