Associations of sow characteristics, boar semen traits, and seminal plasma metabolomics with fertility outcomes following artificial insemination.

Authors

Unchean Yamsrikaew, Sarn Settachaimongkon, Rawiwan Kuabphimai, Lampetch Vimuktalop, Jakavat Ruampatana, Pei-Shiue Tsai, Morakot Nuntapaitoon

Published in

Theriogenology. Volume 265. Pages 118068. Jul 01, 2026. Epub Jul 01, 2026.

Abstract

Reproductive performance in swine herds remains variable and is influenced by sow and boar characteristics, as well as management practices. This study investigated how sow characteristics, boar semen traits, and seminal plasma (SP) metabolomic profiles at the time of artificial insemination (AI) are associated with reproductive outcomes in a breeding herd. A total of 131 Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred sows (parity 1-2, n = 58; 3-6, n = 37; 7-9, n = 36) were inseminated with semen from 32 ejaculates meeting quality criteria (≥75% total motility and ≥75% normal morphology) from 18 Duroc boars. Insemination characteristics, including insemination duration, catheter insertion depth, and standing reflex, were recorded. Conception was assessed by estrus return and confirmed by ultrasonography at 35 ± 2 days post-insemination. Ejaculates were classified according to fertility as HIGH (conception rate ≥85%, n = 16) and LOW (conception rate <85%, n = 16). Sows inseminated with these ejaculates were subsequently assigned to the corresponding fertility groups: HIGH (n = 68) and LOW (n = 63). SP collected from the raw ejaculate was analyzed using ¹H NMR. On average, total motility and normal morphology of inseminated semen were 97.6 ± 3.2% and 92.1 ± 5.4%, respectively. Conception and farrowing rates were higher in the HIGH (97.1% and 86.6%, respectively) than in the LOW (67.7% and 52.4%, respectively) (P < 0.001). Sow insemination characteristics did not differ between fertility groups (P > 0.05), whereas backfat thickness at estrus was higher in the HIGH (17.7 ± 0.3 vs. 16.3 ± 0.3 mm, P = 0.002). Moreover, total piglets born and born alive were larger in the HIGH (15.1 ± 0.8 and 14.1 ± 0.8 piglets, respectively) than in the LOW (13.0 ± 0.8 piglets, P = 0.012 and 12.2 ± 0.8 piglets, P = 0.014). Parity was correlated with insemination duration (r = -0.181, P = 0.003) and catheter insertion depth (r = 0.480, P < 0.001). Seminal metabolomic analysis identified 54 metabolites, with a significantly higher glycine levels in the LOW group. In addition, variations in metabolites derived from energy metabolic pathways were associated with high-quality semen (P < 0.001). Overall, reproductive performance differed by sow backfat thickness, parity-related insemination characteristics, and SP metabolites, supporting the combined use of semen evaluation, sow backfat targets, and parity-informed AI management to optimize fertility in swine production.

PMID:
42391676
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 03 Jul 2026.

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