Artificial insemination in pigs is on the minds of University researchers.

The University recently received a $70,000 grant for a one-year pilot program to develop an Illinois Certified Frozen Boar Semen Program. The grant came by way of Illinois AgriFIRST, a program created in 2001 by the Illinois Department of Agriculture after a proposal by University researchers claiming that such a program would create new domestic and international marketing opportunities for swine producers in Illinois.

Currently, artificial insemination can only be completed with semen in the liquid form, which has a shelf-life of only three to five days, according to an executive summary of the grant. The summary goes on to say that the current process causes reduced fertility that occurs during shipping and duration of storage.

On the other hand, frozen boar semen can be shipped anywhere and stored indefinitely, said Robert V. Knox, an assistant professor of animal sciences who spearheaded the grant proposal.

The frozen boar semen would, unlike liquid boar semen, maintain a constant fertility rate, Knox said. While acknowledging that freezing boar semen lowers the percentage of fertile sperm compared to liquid boar semen, he feels the indefinite consistency of the latter would overshadow any downfalls.

“A frozen product allows you to walk to a storage unit and pull out what you need,” Knox said.

He also noted that countries from the Philippines to Mexico would benefit from the solid genetics of swine in Illinois.

Another goal of the project is to create a process, which produces healthy and quality-certified frozen boar semen from Illinois genetic suppliers. Certification will be accomplished using health testing, controlled semen processing, freezing, and fertility estimation done by an independent agency. The information regarding certification will then be posted on a Web site that can be accessed worldwide.

The certification process will be documented by Dr. Sherrie Clark, an assistant professor in veterinary clinical medicine.

“We will have documented pictures of the sperm post-thaw,” said Clark, which she claims would act as the equivalent of a quality assurance stamp.

This could have a lasting effect on Illinois swine producers who could avoid the hassle of shipping live animals across borders, Knox said.

Interested Illinois genetics suppliers including Hi Point Genetics, Cedar Ridge, and INET have already jumped at the opportunity to supply the boar semen from their animals for the program.

“We’ll have a meeting in a month or so before we get started,” said Mike Miller, sales manager for Hi Point Genetics.

Three Illinois exporters of genetic materials will also be included in the program.

“I am not aware of anyone who is commercially presenting (boar) semen in Illinois,” said Knox, who plans to prove the domestic and international worth of his program and extend it well beyond a year.