Semen effects on insemination outcomes in sows

Sows (n = 1205) were artificially inseminated with semen from single sires (n = 166). Semen was previously analysed for sperm concentration, motility, velocity, morphology (using DIC microscopy) and membrane integrity, sperm clump score, temperature on arrival and pH. Percent normal sperm influenced both numbers of pigs born alive (P < 0.01) and litter size (P < 0.05) which, in turn, was also influenced by abnormal sperm head morphology (P < 0.05) and retained distal cytoplasmic droplets (P < 0.01). Percent stillbirths were influenced by sperm flagellar beat cross frequency (P < 0.05) and semen arrival temperature (P < 0.05).