A Detailed Guide to the Correct Collection and Use of Boar Semen
Detailed and correct methods for collecting and using boar semen
Training Methods
Observation method Drive the young boar being trained into the collection pen and let it observe an adult boar mating with a sow or the semen collection process, to stimulate the young boar's sexual urge. After 3 to 4 observation sessions, let it mount the dummy sow. In this way, with 2 to 3 sessions per week for 2 to 3 weeks of training, most young boars can be collected from smoothly.
Estrus sow attraction method Select a multiparous sow in strong estrus with obvious signs, and let the boar being trained mount her. After the new boar's penis protrudes, grasp the spiral part of the penis with your hand and stimulate the penis with rhythmic pressure, and semen can be collected.
Stimulation with estrus sow urine Apply the urine and vaginal secretions of an estrus sow to the rear of the dummy sow to lure the new boar to mount the dummy sow. In most cases this allows the young boar to be collected from smoothly.
Semen Collection Equipment
Collection cup It should have good thermal insulation and be easy to carry. Cups or bottles made of various materials can all be used as collection cups. In warm regions, a 500 ml disposable paper cup can be used. In cold regions, it is best to use a double-layered insulated stainless steel or glass cup.
Filter paper or sterile gauze The filter paper should have micropores of about 100 micrometers, allowing sperm to pass through while filtering out the gelatinous substances in the semen. The semen filter paper is placed over the mouth of the collection cup and fixed with a rubber band. Use 4 to 5 layers of sterile gauze to filter the gelatinous particles in the semen, but be sure to prevent cotton lint from the gauze from shedding, otherwise the semen quality will deteriorate.
Disposable gloves Latex or plastic film are both acceptable, but they must not contain substances that affect sperm survival.
Dummy sow Rolled from steel plate, 95 cm long, 36 cm to 40 cm wide, with adjustable height. The dummy sow is covered with rubber sheeting, slightly elastic. It is even better if the front end has a provision for the boar to rest and grip its front legs.
Anti-slip mat An anti-slip mat 1.2 m long, 1 m wide and 2 cm to 3 cm thick made of rubber. It is a soft mat with many small holes, equivalent to a carpet. Place the anti-slip mat on the ground behind the rump of the dummy sow to prevent the boar from slipping and falling during collection and to protect the boar's limbs and hooves.
Semen Collection Room Equipment
Generally 4 m to 4.5 m long and 3.5 m to 4 m wide. The minimum area of the collection room needs to be 12 sq m. If the area is too small, not only is operation inconvenient, but it can also cause personnel accidents. A suitable collection room area allows the boar being collected to move around the dummy sow, to stimulate the boar's sexual desire. One side of the collection room must have a passage connected to the boar house, and one side must have a wall separating it from the semen processing room. On the wall there is a small double-glazed window used to pass semen through. A UV lamp is installed in the middle of the small window to disinfect and sterilize, ensuring that the semen processing room remains in a sterile state. The collection room is equipped with water pipes, a water basin, cleaning tools, and so on.
The collection room requires a quiet environment, a flat floor, and clean and hygienic conditions, and should be equipped with a UV sterilizing lamp or a flame sterilizer. Do not use irritating disinfectants, so as not to affect the boar's sexual reflex. Recordings of the sounds of boars and sows mating can be played in the collection room, making the environment completely the same as when a boar and sow mate.
Waiting pen At one end of the collection room, near the entrance, set up a pen 1.8 m wide and 4 m long (made of steel pipes 4 cm to 5 cm in diameter), divided into 4 to 5 small compartments, to let boars waiting for collection stand and watch other boars being collected. The boars in the observation pen have their sexual desire stimulated, and as soon as the pen gate is opened, the boar will leap up and mount the dummy sow, protrude its penis, prepare to mate, and quickly ejaculate. In this way, collection time can be saved and collection efficiency improved.
Protective railing In the four corners of the collection room, steel posts (steel pipes 4 cm to 6 cm in diameter) are erected vertically, with a spacing of 18 cm to 20 cm. A person can pass through sideways, but a boar cannot, ensuring the safety of the collection personnel when a boar attacks.
Water basin and towel Used to clean the boar's lower abdomen and prevent semen contamination.
The collection room needs to be equipped with a tap water sink and water pipes for washing the floor. The walls of the collection room are 1.8 m high and faced with ceramic tiles, for easy cleaning and disinfection.
Semen Collection Methods
Hand-grip method The hand-grip method is the most commonly used method for collecting boar semen. Because it is convenient to operate, requires simple equipment, and allows fractional collection of semen, it is widely used. In the hand-grip method, after the boar mounts the dummy sow and the penis protrudes ready for mating, grasp the glans of the spiral penis with the hand to lock it and prevent it from rotating, then apply rhythmic, even pressure; with the other hand hold a collection cup covered with semen filter paper to collect the sperm-rich portion of the semen. During collection the boar will pause for 1 to 2 minutes, and then continue ejaculating. Boar ejaculation is generally completed in 2 to 3 stages.
Artificial vagina method The artificial vagina consists of an outer cylinder, an inner liner, a rubber funnel, a semen collection bottle, a double inflation bulb, a rubber stopper and a rubber ring. The outer cylinder is made of hard plastic, about 30 cm long, with an inner diameter of 7 cm to 8 cm. At 20 cm from one end there is an inflation and water-filling port, which can be connected to a switch and a double inflation bulb. The other end of the artificial vagina can be connected to a semen collection bottle. The inner liner of the artificial vagina must be highly elastic and have a mesh structure, able to rub the penis, produce pleasure, and stimulate ejaculation. The inner liner must be durable. Before collection, assemble the artificial vagina, pour in hot water above 40°C, measure and adjust the inner liner temperature to 38°C to 39°C, connect the double inflation bulb and inflate, then apply a layer of special biological lubricant to the inner liner. To avoid the semen ejaculated by the boar at the beginning being high in bacteria and low in sperm, do not attach the semen collection bottle at first; when milky-white thick semen is ejaculated, the assistant attaches the semen collection bottle to collect the semen. Artificial vagina collection is suitable for cold seasons and high-latitude regions.
Cylinder-grip method In the cylinder-grip method, a sponge sleeve forms a cylindrical collector, shaped like a funnel. After the boar's penis protrudes, cover the head of the penis with the sleeve and apply rhythmic pressure with the hand, similar to the hand-grip collection method. The advantage of this collection method is that there is no need to disinfect and wash the arm, and the sponge sleeve is disposable, saving the cumbersome cleaning procedure.
Electrical stimulation method Suitable for excellent boars with injured hind limbs. The electrical stimulation collector consists of a pulse current generator and a probe. When using it, first inject the boar with a sedative to calm it (xylazine, ketamine, etc. can be used for sedation or anesthesia), then apply lubricant to the probe and insert it into the boar's rectum, switch on the current, and adjust the frequency from low to high, increasing the stimulation intensity until ejaculation occurs smoothly.
No matter which collection method is used, prevent preputial fluid from mixing into the semen. Preputial fluid sometimes drips onto the penis and flows along the penis into the collection cup, killing sperm. To prevent preputial fluid from dripping into the collection cup, the penis can be wrapped with sterile paper towels.
Collection process The boar's ejaculation process takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and operation must be patient. After collection is finished, let the boar dismount from the dummy sow naturally. It is best to reward the boar by feeding 1 to 2 eggs, so that the boar forms a conditioned reflex, which is helpful for collection. The collector, after collecting the semen, passes the semen to the semen processing room through the semen transfer window. On both sides of the transfer window there are movable glass panes, with an infrared lamp installed above, which can kill bacteria. Open one pane, put in the collection cup, and close it immediately; then open the glass pane on the other side, keeping the semen processing room in a relatively sterile state.
Observation method Drive the young boar being trained into the collection pen and let it observe an adult boar mating with a sow or the semen collection process, to stimulate the young boar's sexual urge. After 3 to 4 observation sessions, let it mount the dummy sow. In this way, with 2 to 3 sessions per week for 2 to 3 weeks of training, most young boars can be collected from smoothly.
Estrus sow attraction method Select a multiparous sow in strong estrus with obvious signs, and let the boar being trained mount her. After the new boar's penis protrudes, grasp the spiral part of the penis with your hand and stimulate the penis with rhythmic pressure, and semen can be collected.
Stimulation with estrus sow urine Apply the urine and vaginal secretions of an estrus sow to the rear of the dummy sow to lure the new boar to mount the dummy sow. In most cases this allows the young boar to be collected from smoothly.
Semen Collection Equipment
Collection cup It should have good thermal insulation and be easy to carry. Cups or bottles made of various materials can all be used as collection cups. In warm regions, a 500 ml disposable paper cup can be used. In cold regions, it is best to use a double-layered insulated stainless steel or glass cup.
Filter paper or sterile gauze The filter paper should have micropores of about 100 micrometers, allowing sperm to pass through while filtering out the gelatinous substances in the semen. The semen filter paper is placed over the mouth of the collection cup and fixed with a rubber band. Use 4 to 5 layers of sterile gauze to filter the gelatinous particles in the semen, but be sure to prevent cotton lint from the gauze from shedding, otherwise the semen quality will deteriorate.
Disposable gloves Latex or plastic film are both acceptable, but they must not contain substances that affect sperm survival.
Dummy sow Rolled from steel plate, 95 cm long, 36 cm to 40 cm wide, with adjustable height. The dummy sow is covered with rubber sheeting, slightly elastic. It is even better if the front end has a provision for the boar to rest and grip its front legs.
Anti-slip mat An anti-slip mat 1.2 m long, 1 m wide and 2 cm to 3 cm thick made of rubber. It is a soft mat with many small holes, equivalent to a carpet. Place the anti-slip mat on the ground behind the rump of the dummy sow to prevent the boar from slipping and falling during collection and to protect the boar's limbs and hooves.
Semen Collection Room Equipment
Generally 4 m to 4.5 m long and 3.5 m to 4 m wide. The minimum area of the collection room needs to be 12 sq m. If the area is too small, not only is operation inconvenient, but it can also cause personnel accidents. A suitable collection room area allows the boar being collected to move around the dummy sow, to stimulate the boar's sexual desire. One side of the collection room must have a passage connected to the boar house, and one side must have a wall separating it from the semen processing room. On the wall there is a small double-glazed window used to pass semen through. A UV lamp is installed in the middle of the small window to disinfect and sterilize, ensuring that the semen processing room remains in a sterile state. The collection room is equipped with water pipes, a water basin, cleaning tools, and so on.
The collection room requires a quiet environment, a flat floor, and clean and hygienic conditions, and should be equipped with a UV sterilizing lamp or a flame sterilizer. Do not use irritating disinfectants, so as not to affect the boar's sexual reflex. Recordings of the sounds of boars and sows mating can be played in the collection room, making the environment completely the same as when a boar and sow mate.
Waiting pen At one end of the collection room, near the entrance, set up a pen 1.8 m wide and 4 m long (made of steel pipes 4 cm to 5 cm in diameter), divided into 4 to 5 small compartments, to let boars waiting for collection stand and watch other boars being collected. The boars in the observation pen have their sexual desire stimulated, and as soon as the pen gate is opened, the boar will leap up and mount the dummy sow, protrude its penis, prepare to mate, and quickly ejaculate. In this way, collection time can be saved and collection efficiency improved.
Protective railing In the four corners of the collection room, steel posts (steel pipes 4 cm to 6 cm in diameter) are erected vertically, with a spacing of 18 cm to 20 cm. A person can pass through sideways, but a boar cannot, ensuring the safety of the collection personnel when a boar attacks.
Water basin and towel Used to clean the boar's lower abdomen and prevent semen contamination.
The collection room needs to be equipped with a tap water sink and water pipes for washing the floor. The walls of the collection room are 1.8 m high and faced with ceramic tiles, for easy cleaning and disinfection.
Semen Collection Methods
Hand-grip method The hand-grip method is the most commonly used method for collecting boar semen. Because it is convenient to operate, requires simple equipment, and allows fractional collection of semen, it is widely used. In the hand-grip method, after the boar mounts the dummy sow and the penis protrudes ready for mating, grasp the glans of the spiral penis with the hand to lock it and prevent it from rotating, then apply rhythmic, even pressure; with the other hand hold a collection cup covered with semen filter paper to collect the sperm-rich portion of the semen. During collection the boar will pause for 1 to 2 minutes, and then continue ejaculating. Boar ejaculation is generally completed in 2 to 3 stages.
Artificial vagina method The artificial vagina consists of an outer cylinder, an inner liner, a rubber funnel, a semen collection bottle, a double inflation bulb, a rubber stopper and a rubber ring. The outer cylinder is made of hard plastic, about 30 cm long, with an inner diameter of 7 cm to 8 cm. At 20 cm from one end there is an inflation and water-filling port, which can be connected to a switch and a double inflation bulb. The other end of the artificial vagina can be connected to a semen collection bottle. The inner liner of the artificial vagina must be highly elastic and have a mesh structure, able to rub the penis, produce pleasure, and stimulate ejaculation. The inner liner must be durable. Before collection, assemble the artificial vagina, pour in hot water above 40°C, measure and adjust the inner liner temperature to 38°C to 39°C, connect the double inflation bulb and inflate, then apply a layer of special biological lubricant to the inner liner. To avoid the semen ejaculated by the boar at the beginning being high in bacteria and low in sperm, do not attach the semen collection bottle at first; when milky-white thick semen is ejaculated, the assistant attaches the semen collection bottle to collect the semen. Artificial vagina collection is suitable for cold seasons and high-latitude regions.
Cylinder-grip method In the cylinder-grip method, a sponge sleeve forms a cylindrical collector, shaped like a funnel. After the boar's penis protrudes, cover the head of the penis with the sleeve and apply rhythmic pressure with the hand, similar to the hand-grip collection method. The advantage of this collection method is that there is no need to disinfect and wash the arm, and the sponge sleeve is disposable, saving the cumbersome cleaning procedure.
Electrical stimulation method Suitable for excellent boars with injured hind limbs. The electrical stimulation collector consists of a pulse current generator and a probe. When using it, first inject the boar with a sedative to calm it (xylazine, ketamine, etc. can be used for sedation or anesthesia), then apply lubricant to the probe and insert it into the boar's rectum, switch on the current, and adjust the frequency from low to high, increasing the stimulation intensity until ejaculation occurs smoothly.
No matter which collection method is used, prevent preputial fluid from mixing into the semen. Preputial fluid sometimes drips onto the penis and flows along the penis into the collection cup, killing sperm. To prevent preputial fluid from dripping into the collection cup, the penis can be wrapped with sterile paper towels.
Collection process The boar's ejaculation process takes about 5 to 10 minutes, and operation must be patient. After collection is finished, let the boar dismount from the dummy sow naturally. It is best to reward the boar by feeding 1 to 2 eggs, so that the boar forms a conditioned reflex, which is helpful for collection. The collector, after collecting the semen, passes the semen to the semen processing room through the semen transfer window. On both sides of the transfer window there are movable glass panes, with an infrared lamp installed above, which can kill bacteria. Open one pane, put in the collection cup, and close it immediately; then open the glass pane on the other side, keeping the semen processing room in a relatively sterile state.