In swine insemination, every detail counts in order to improve fertility and achieve maximum productivity. Semen preservation is one of the critical points of the process, as spermatozoa are cells that are extremely sensitive to their environment. Therefore, keeping the semen doses in optimal temperature conditions during storage is essential to guarantee their viability and maximise reproductive results.

Why is it so important to keep porcine semen at the right temperature?

Due to its characteristics, swine spermatozoa are particularly vulnerable to temperature variations. This means that below 12°C its membrane can be irreversibly damaged, while at temperatures above 17°C its metabolism is accelerated, shortening its lifespan. In addition, sudden temperature fluctuations and prolonged exposure to direct light also negatively affect their integrity and motility.

Therefore, maintaining a stable temperature in the recommended range (15.5°C to 16.5°C) and appropriate conditions during storage is key to preserving their fertility.

The importance of semen preservation

Correct semen preservation prolongs the shelf life of semen, maintains the quality of semen doses and improves reproductive performance. This is especially important in hot weather or in situations where the facilities are not well air-conditioned, as extreme environmental conditions can compromise the quality of the semen doses.

How to avoid mistakes when storing swine semen?

  • To ensure the quality of semen during storage, it is recommended:
  • Check that the temperature inside the equipment is homogeneous, ensuring constant air recirculation.
  • Place the doses evenly distributed inside the cooler, avoiding contact with the sides to allow air circulation.
  • Locate the refrigerator in a room with controlled ambient temperature between 15 °C and 25 °C, avoiding aggressive environments with dust or humidity.
  • Maintain doses between 15.5 °C and 16.5 °C and avoid opening the equipment unnecessarily to minimise temperature fluctuations.
  • Avoid direct exposure to light and do not rotate doses during storage.
  • Use devices such as T-Sem to record temperature continuously.
  • Place the refrigerator on a dedicated outlet with a power surge protector and battery back-up to prevent power failure.

An additional tip is to have at least two storage units. This provides security against breakdowns, especially during the warmer months when thermal loads are more demanding.

The importance of choosing a suitable refrigerator

Although domestic refrigerators are sometimes used, they are not designed to maintain the specific conditions required for swine semen. Storage chambers designed for this purpose have cooling and heating systems, a display with accurate temperature indication (±1°C), an alarm in case of deviations, and an interior design that ensures thermal homogeneity and protection of the doses. In addition, it is important to ensure that the capacity of the cooler is adequate for the user’s needs. For reference, the recommended capacity is approximately 0.5 to 0.6 litres per semen dose, which allows maintaining the correct storage volume without compromising air circulation and temperature.

All these characteristics make it essential to use a cooler specially designed for the conservation of semen doses and adapted to the production needs of each user.