Managing Boars in Artificial Insemination Centers

Introduction
Daily care and management of sires in an artificial insemination (AI) center can have a large influence on
semen quality and sperm output. A typical boar produces from 1100 to 1200 doses of semen per year (22
doses/wk x 52 wks) and therefore, semen quality of a single sire influences a large number of matings and
services per year. A rule of thumb is that each female inventoried will require about six doses of semen
on an annual basis (2.2 L/S/Y x 2.2 matings per service x 80% FR x 10% semen wastage (unused doses)
Therefore, each sire inventoried in the boar stud could meet the semen needs for 150 to 200 females
inventoried on the breeding farm. The following are some important points to consider for optimal
management of sires maintained in a commercial AI center.
Objectives
The objectives of this fact sheet are to review the following important aspects of managing boars in AI
centers:
• Health and biosecurity
• Facility design
• Boar nutrition
• Factors that influence sperm output and semen quality
• Hygiene during semen collection and processing and sanitation of animal and laboratory facilities
The introduction of healthy boars of high genetic merit should be the goal of all AI centers. For detailed
information regarding health and bio-security, obtain a copy of “Bio-security and Health Assurance at a
Boar Stud” [1] from the National Pork Board (www.pork.org).

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