Effect of Semen Volume and Number of Sperm on Fertility and Embryo Survival in Artificially Inseminated Gilts

Abstract

Seventy-two gilts of mixed breeding were artificially inseminated with either 10, 20, or 50 ml. of semen containing either 2.5, 5.0 or 10.0 billion sperm. One-half of the gilts were slaughtered at 3 days post-breeding, the other one-half at 25 days post-breeding. Percent fertility, percent embryo survival, 3- and 25-day post-breeding litter size and conception rates were determined. There were no significant differences among treatments in fertility or litter size at 3 days. At 25 days the group inseminated with 50-ml. volume had a higher rate of embryo survival (P<0.01) and percent conception (P<0.05) than the 10 or 20 ml. volume regardless of the number of sperm used. There was no significant effect of total numbers of sperm inseminated although there did appear to be an improvement with a greater number of sperm.