Utilization of Frozen Thawed Semen in Large Black Pigs
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UTILIZATION OF FROZEN THAWED SEMEN IN LARGE BLACK PIGS; GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE BLACK PIGS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH OR WITHOUT ALFALFA by Katharine Grace Sharp A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Purdue University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Animal Sciences West Lafayette, Indiana August 2020 THE PURDUE UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL STATEMENT OF COMMITTEE APPROVAL Dr. Kara Stewart, Chair Department of Animal Science Dr. Brian Richert Department of Animal Science Dr. Brad Kim Department of Animal Science Dr. Zoltan Machaty Department of Animal Science Approved by: Dr. Alan G. Mathew 2 Dedicated to my Aunt Eunice (1925-2020) 3 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank Dr. Kara Stewart for giving me the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree, and to do research in an area of agriculture that will help small pork producers and more importantly assist the pigs found on small farms. I would like to thank Dr. Stewart for her guidance and knowledge during this project and for her patience helping me develop as a student, and researcher. I would like to thank my committee, Dr. Brad Kim, Dr. Zoltan Machaty, and Dr. Brian Richert for providing support and knowledge helping me improve. Many thanks to Dr. Richert for teaching me about finishing swine, and for formulating the finishing diets. I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Harvey Blackburn for funding this project, for your advice the past two years and helping me. Thank you to Dr. Charlene Couch for her passion for these special pigs, and for teaching me to how to connect with the breeders. Many thanks to Dr. Steve Kerns of IBS for providing semen, and to Dr. Darryl Ragland for providing veterinary care and advice. Thank you to Dr. Allan Schinckel for all of your assistance, and allowing me to TA. Also, I would like to thank Dr. Wayne Singleton for going on a daring adventure last fall, and being a wonderful resource. Many special thanks to Kayla, Larissa, Morgan, Ricardo, and the countless undergraduates from both the Richert and Stewart lab that have assisted in this project. A special thank you to the Large Black breeders for taking a chance and donating pigs, but also for your unique stories and support you have shown me. I adore your curiosities, but more importantly the hopes and dreams that you have for your pigs. A special thank you to Amy and Felicia for your friendship, and dedication to this project. Thank you to Yufei, Dr. Stacy Zuelly, Blaine Brown, and the Purdue Butcher Block for your assistance and guidance in the meats cooler. All of this would not be possible without the Purdue ASREC farm crew, Brian, Katelin, and Reed for your assistance, guidance, and conversations these past two years. I am forever grateful for my wonderful old and new friends, Cathy, Hannah, and Ilka for always being there. And of course, I am grateful to have Dr. Tim Safranski in my life as my mentor, but more importantly as my friend helping me look for the future. Lastly, I want to extend my gratitude to my loving family, Dad, Mom, Merry and Matthew for always being there. 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .......................................................................................................................... 8 LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................ 9 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................... 10 ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. 11 LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................................... 13 1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 13 1.2 Description and History of the Large Black in Relation to the U.S. Swine Industry ....... 13 1.2.1 Carcass ....................................................................................................................... 16 1.3 Conservation of Minor Breeds .......................................................................................... 17 1.3.1 Genetics and Inbreeding ............................................................................................ 17 1.3.2 In situ Conservation ................................................................................................... 19 1.3.3 Role of The Livestock Conservancy .......................................................................... 20 1.3.4 Ex situ Conservation .................................................................................................. 21 1.3.5 The Case of the Mangalitsa ....................................................................................... 21 1.3.6 Role of the USDA National Animal Germplasm Program ....................................... 22 1.3.7 Past Genetic Importations .......................................................................................... 22 1.3.8 Recent History of the Large Black ............................................................................ 24 1.4 Assisted Reproductive Technologies and Frozen Thawed Semen (FTS) ......................... 26 1.4.1 Utilization of Frozen Boar Semen ............................................................................. 27 1.4.2 Number of Sperm Cells ............................................................................................. 28 1.4.3 Current Freezing and Thawing Processes .................................................................. 31 1.5 Artificial Insemination and U.S. Swine Industry .............................................................. 32 1.5.1 Intrauterine Insemination ........................................................................................... 34 1.5.2 Control of Estrus and Ovulation ................................................................................ 37 1.5.3 Current Practices with FTS: Fixed Time Artificial Insemination ............................. 39 1.6 References ......................................................................................................................... 40 UTILIZATION OF FROZEN THAWED SEMEN IN LARGE BLACK PIGS 49 2.1 Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 49 2.2 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 49 5 2.3 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................................... 51 2.3.1 Breeding Herd Characteristics and Animal Sourcing ................................................ 51 2.3.2 Donor Surveys and Relations .................................................................................... 53 2.4 Breeding, Gestation and Farrowing Management ............................................................ 54 2.4.1 Breeding Methodologies ............................................................................................ 54 2.4.2 Estrous Synchronization and Ovulation Induction .................................................... 55 2.4.3 Semen Thawing and Preparation ............................................................................... 58 2.4.4 Artificial Insemination (AI) ....................................................................................... 59 2.4.5 Pregnancy Determination .......................................................................................... 60 2.4.6 Gestation Management .............................................................................................. 60 2.4.7 Farrowing Management ............................................................................................. 61 2.4.8 Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................................... 62 2.5 Results ............................................................................................................................... 62 2.5.1 Breeding Herd Characteristics and Animal Sourcing ................................................ 62 2.5.2 Estrus Synchronization, Ovulation Induction, and Conception Results .................... 63 2.5.3 Farrowing ................................................................................................................... 64 2.5.4 Piglet Dispersals ........................................................................................................ 65 2.6 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 65 2.7 References ......................................................................................................................... 71 GROWTH AND CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF LARGE BLACK PIGS FED DIETS SUPPLEMENTED WITH OR WITHOUT ALFALFA .......................................... 78 3.1 Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 78 3.2 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 79 3.3 Materials and Methods .....................................................................................................