1. Backup not only for computers!
27th Annual Meeting of DAGENE, Germany
© SZV OÖ
Backup not only for computers!
Berger B.
Knapp P.
Gallnböck M.

2. Introduction Frozen boar semen – since > 40 years
Thalheim > 25 years
Special uses – not for routine AI
Scientific
Export
Transport
Planned mating
Genebank – e.g. backup for cattle AI since 1997
Mangalica, Turopolje in Austria since 2000

3. Frozen boar semen …but long-time storage is possible!
About 30% of boars not freezable
Non-return rates not really satisfying
Smaller litter size
Huge amount of sperm cells
Less if deep intra-uterine insemination
Handling of semen more complicated
Processing and freezing
Thawing and re-dilution
…but long-time storage is possible!

4. Why another cryo-project?
Biggest Austrian pig AI-centre
8 km from Genebank
270 boars, 5 breeds, PRRS-free status
Owned by pig breeding association
PRRS outbreak 2012, all boars slaughtered
Huge financial loss to centre and producers
Re-stocked boars not first quality
Loss of breeding progress
Safeguard against loss of Top-Genetics needed

5. The project Cooperation between Pig Breeders Association and Genebank
Screen all TOP-Genetics boars for freezability of semen
Conserve freezable boars in Genebank
Do not disrupt semen collection routine at AI centre!

6. Material & Methods 1
Screening: 62 ejaculates, 28 TOP-boars (15 Piétrain, 7 Landrace, 4 Large White, 1 Duroc, 1 Schwäbisch-Hällisch)
Collection within routine of AI centre,
20ml of sperm-rich fraction of ejaculate
Dilution 1:1 with BTS extender (DiluPorcTM)
Fresh semen analysis CASA (SpermVision, minitube): Motility (mot), Density
Transport to Genebank
Acrosome integrity (acr) – smears stained acc. KOVACS & FOOTE (1992)

7. Material & Methods 2 Conservation: 5 to 9 double AI doses/boar
Cryo-conservation at Genebank acc. WESTENDORF et al. (1975) mod. EGERSZEGI et al. ( 2009)
Extender Androstar Cryo Plus (minitube)
0,5 ml medium French straws, concentration 1x109 cells/ml
Thawing at AI centre
37°C for 20 sec.
Re-dilution with BTS-extender, CASA, smears
Minimal requirements: 30% intact acr, 30% progressive mot
Conservation: 5 to 9 double AI doses/boar
One whole ejaculate needed

8. Results – Screening 30% ejaculates discarded! 3 boars not freezable!
70% blocks
Minimum/Maximum
Median
acr
mot
30% ejaculates discarded!
3 boars not freezable!
fresh
thawed

9. Results – Genebanking 0 ejaculates discarded! All boars freezable!
fresh
thawed

10. Discussion Success rate in line with literature Freezability of semen
Still 30% negative ejaculates in screening
Still 13 boars at least 1 negative result
Freezability of semen
Individual trait – genetic determination?
Fresh semen quality allows no predictions!
Sexual resting time important (< 5 days)
5 x 109 sperm cells per dose!
Much semen needed for Cryo (one whole ejaculate)
Intra-uterine insemination not used by breeders rf

11. Conclusions Enhanced security for breeders and breeders association
Screening well integrated into routine
Backup collection
owned by breeders association
stored at Genebank (extra tank) for 5 years
After 5 years 2 double doses into core collection – owned by state, rest destroyed
Export orders pending

12. Thank you for listening!
11 piglets *
from semen
frozen !