I NSEMINATION T IMING S UGGESTIONS

Many studies conducted by renowned experts in the field confirm that, the shorter the weaning-to-estrus interval (WOI), the longer and later the ovulation period. This means that sows coming into heat earlier (post weaning), will ovulate later and longer. Days After Weaning Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

The following slides are meant to offer graphical explanations of the previous statements. They also offer a definitive proof of the effectiveness of our recommended breeding protocol.

The vertical bar denotes the duration of estrus in Hours.

The horizontal bar represents the day “strong” standing heat is observed after weaning. This is what we are looking for when we perform heat detection. It is important to take note of the weaning dates so we can count properly. Days After Weaning

The combined total of the pink and purple bars represent the average duration of estrus of sows (in hours) in relation to the number of days after weaning. The purple section represents the average time of ovulation. Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

We can now see that sows coming into heat 3 days after weaning will ovulate later and will have longer ovulation periods compared to days 4-9. Both estrus and ovulation cycles become shorter as the days after weaning become greater. Days After Weaning Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Twice per day: Since the interval between heat detections is about 12 hours, we use the 6 hour line to indicate the average mean duration of heat for the group of sows. Days After Weaning Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Once per day: Since the interval between heat detections is about 24 hours, we use the 12 hour line to indicate the average mean duration of heat for the group of sows… Days After Weaning Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Knowing when ovulation occurs is very important since breeding too early or too late will cause us to miss ovulation. This can negatively affect conception rates and litter-size; but how can we determine when the sow will ovulate?

Proper heat detection (recommended twice daily) is where we look for signs of “strong” standing heat which will help us determine WHEN the sow will ovulate. HEAT DETECTION ESTRUSOVULATION

After knowing when sows ovulate, when is the best or proper time to breed then? An effective breeding schedule should be set up on an animal by animal basis, individualized in such a way that an adequate amount of semen is delivered to the UTJ just before ovulation occurs. This would allow the sperm to be released, capacitate, and be fertile at the right time. Not all animals ovulate at the same time! Breeding too early causes majority of the sperm to die before the egg cells are released; resulting in very low conception. Breeding too late may cause you to miss the ovulation cycle completely, or only fertilize a few egg cells; hence producing small litters.

24 Hrs. 12 Hrs. 24 Hrs. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus This slide shows the efficiency of our recommended timing and how two inseminations overlap ovulation. It represents our suggested delay(s) for the first service at 24, 12, or 0 hours and a repeat insemination 8 hours later.

On days 3 & 4 (after weaning), we delay our first service by 24 hours and follow up with a second dose 8-12 hours later. 24 Hrs. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

On days 5 & 6 (after weaning), we delay our first service by 12 hours and follow up with a second dose 8-12 hours later. 12 Hrs. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

On days 7-9, gilts, and repeats, we delay our first service only long enough for the animals to relax from the boar exposure during heat detection (let them go into refractory heat); then we then follow up with a second service 8-12 hours later. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

In summary, our recommended timing protocols combine proper heat detection with the recognition of weaning-to- estrus intervals (WOI). Following them will effectively deliver semen at the best time for a successful breeding program. 24 Hrs. 12 Hrs. 24 Hrs. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Proper timing with an 8 hour repeat, using ONCE per day heat detection. Days After Weaning 24 Hrs. 12 Hrs. 24 Hrs. Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

24 hour initial delay on 3 & 4 day animals, heat detecting only ONCE per day. Days After Weaning 24 Hrs. Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

12 hour initial delay on 5 & 6 day animals, heat detecting only ONCE per day. Days After Weaning 12 Hrs. Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

0 hour initial delay on day animals, heat detecting only ONCE per day. Days After Weaning Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Proper timing with 8 hour repeat, using ONCE per day heat detection. (Animated) Days After Weaning 24 Hrs. 12 Hrs. 24 Hrs. Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

The following slides compare “our” recommended timing protocols to “common” AI/breeding schedules of farms throughout the world; and also show the difference between once per day and twice per day heat detection. Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT We have overlaid insemination bars that denote the following: EXCELLENT chance of conception! MARGINAL 50% chance of success. VERY POOR! A waste of semen. Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus

Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 0 DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT O hour initial delay with 8 hour repeat, once per day heat detection TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

Immediate insemination with 8 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 0 DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

Immediate insemination with a 24 hour repeat, once per day heat detection Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 0 DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

Immediate insemination with a 24 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 0 DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

12 hour initial delay with 8 hour repeat, once per day heat detection Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 12 HR. DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

12 hour initial delay with 8 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 12 HR. DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

12 hour initial delay with 24 hour repeat, once per day heat detection Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 12 HR. DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

12 hour initial delay with 24 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 12 HR. DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

24 hour initial delay with 8 hour repeat, once per day heat detection Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 24 HR. DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

24 hour initial delay with 8 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 24 HR. DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

24 hour initial delay with a 24 hour repeat, once per day heat detection Days After Weaning ONCE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 24 HR. DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

24 hour initial delay with a 24 hour repeat, twice per day heat detection Days After Weaning TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, 24 HR. DELAY WITH 24 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

Perfect heat detection (impossible to achieve but fun to look at); immediate insemination with an 8 hour repeat. Days After Weaning PERFECT HEAT DETECTION, 0 DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT TWICE A DAY HEAT DETECTION, PROPER DELAY WITH 8 HR. REPEAT Second Insemination First Insemination Avg. Duration of Ovulation Avg. Duration of Estrus Days After Weaning

SUMMARY FOR THIS SECTION ASIC’s Suggested Timing Protocols ASIC’s protocols are based on dry days post weaning. ASIC’s protocols allow for individualized and accurate timing on an animal by animal basis. ASIC’s methods are customized for the Absolute™ technology and are not “always” suitable for traditional catheters. ASIC’s protocols are proven to work! Please try to incorporate them in your farm; you will most likely NOT be disappointed… If you disagree with our methods, try it your way; but come back to this section if you do not get the desired results. Press “X” under “sign out” to go the Main Menu.