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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fort Collins, Colorado » Center for Agricultural Resources Research » Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #415356
Research Project: National Animal Germplasm Program

Location: Agricultural Genetic Resources Preservation Research

Title: Boar semen cryopreservation: State of the art, and international trade vision

Author
item BOLARIN, A - Acufast
item BERNDTSON, J - Acufast
item TEJERINA, F - Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
item COBOS, C - Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
item POMARINO, C - Ministry Of Agriculture, Fisheries And Food
item D'ALESSIO, F - World Organization For Animal Health
item Blackburn, Harvey
item KAEOKET, K - Mahidol University

Submitted to: Animal Reproduction Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/6/2024
Publication Date: 10/1/2024
Citation: Bolarin, A., Berndtson, J., Tejerina, F., Cobos, C., Pomarino, C., D'Alessio, F., Blackburn, H.D., Kaeoket, K. 2024. Boar semen cryopreservation: State of the art, and international trade vision. Animal Reproduction Science. 269. Article e107496. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107496.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107496

Interpretive Summary: Advances in the success of cryopreserving swine semen, is now approaching fresh semen primarily used by the swine industry, suggests the industry is on the cusp of a shift in how pigs are bred. This is a timely development as swine genetic resources are under potential threat from increased incidence of diseases and there is growing interest in the international trade. Cryopreserved semen can facilitate international trade and protection of genetic resources. This paper reviews progress made in cryopreservation of boar semen and discusses issues of regulations controlling the flow of swine germplasm via the World Organization of Animal Health and the Nagoya Protocol. Industry will have to modify or add internal protocols to accommodate these two separate organizations if they are to be successful in exchanging genetic resources.

Technical Abstract: Biosecurity is a major concern in the global pig production. The separation in time of semen collection, processing and insemination in the pig farm is a few days for chilled semen but it can be indefinite when using cryopreserved semen. Field fertility results of boar cryopreserved semen are close to chilled semen, which makes it a valuable resource for the establishment of semen genebanks, long-distance semen trade, and the implementation of other technologies such as the sex-sorted semen. But cryopreserved semen is far from being routine in pig farms. The most recent research efforts to facilitate its implementation include the use of additives before freezing, or in the thawing extender. Long-term preserved semen trade is a biosecurity challenge. To harmonize international trade of germplasm, the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) established a regulatory framework for all member countries. The present paper aims to review the latest advances of boar semen cryopreservation with special focus on the benefits of its inclusion as a routine tool in the pig industry. We also review recently reported field fertility results of cryopreserved semen, its international trade compared to chilled semen, and the regulatory framework involved. Boar cryopreserved semen is a valuable tool to control biosecurity risk, implement other technologies, and facilitate international trade. Research already demonstrated good field fertility results, but it still represents less than 0.1% of the international trade. As boar cryopreserved semen gets closer to implementation, the correspondent authorities are reviewing the regulatory.