Optimizing Boar Sperm Fertilization Competency

U.S. swine herd reproductive performance is limited more by sire sub fertility than dam.Today's boar semen processing is largely unchanged since the 1980s. The newly identified butlongtime existing technical problem is current techniques doom a considerable portion ofspermatozoa sub fertile and for premature death reducing the overall pounds/sow/marketed due toinefficient use of superior genetics.Opportunity: Managing the identified problem can 1) increase sow litter sizes (opportunity cost of$1 billion per 5% increase in piglets per litter marketed) and 2) lead to better use of swine genetics(opportunity cost of $400 million).Project objectives: 1) Validate MU Vanguard Buffers in sow fertility trials. 2) Characterize fieldfertility of MU Vanguard buffers versus a commonly used industry extender for commercialization.3) Characterize 30-day extended sperm lifespan of our product. 4) Validate industry extenderscompatible with MU Vanguard Supplement.Description of effort: This Phase II project seeks to validate our Phase I findings and commericalizeUSDA-NIFA research from the University of Missouri (two patented/provisionally patented IPs).We will validate the technology in fertility trials and conduct lab experiments to characterizeunprecedented 30-day shelf life and adapt our technology to existing products. Anticipated Results:Validation of our product with technical expected outcomes outlined in the proposal. Commercialapplication of the proposed research is high because semen extenders are used to produce 95% ofthe 121 million pigs produced annually. We have a historical track record in adopting swineartificial insemination into industry we enthusiastically look forward to commercialization.