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PCAI: Post-Cervical Insemination Workflow

Preparation, catheter handling, stop conditions and records for a trained pig breeding team.

What PCAI means

Post-Cervical Artificial Insemination (PCAI) places extended boar semen beyond the cervix, in the uterine body. It differs from conventional cervical Artificial Insemination (A.I.) and from techniques that deposit semen deeper into a uterine horn. The insemination method, catheter design and dose specification must be selected together.

Gaofan No. 1 post-cervical insemination catheters with blue outer heads and soft inner tips
Product illustration; follow the instructions for the exact model and your validated farm protocol.

Before starting

  • Confirm standing heat, the breeding schedule and suitability of the sow with the farm’s trained breeding lead. Gilt suitability requires a specific assessment and compatible equipment.
  • Check the semen label, batch, expiry, storage record and laboratory release decision. Do not redirect a rejected dose to conventional insemination.
  • Use an intact, single-use outer catheter and inner cannula intended for PCAI. Confirm the exact model and its instructions.
  • Prepare clean supplies, semen-compatible lubricant when specified, and a clean work area. Training on an anatomical model must precede supervised work with animals.

Six checkpoints during insemination

  1. Prepare the sow: clean and dry the vulva, avoiding contamination of the catheter or chemical residues on surfaces that contact semen.
  2. Position the outer catheter: follow its instructions to establish cervical placement. Allow relaxation as required by the farm’s validated protocol.
  3. Advance the inner cannula gently: use the approved technique. Stop if it will not pass freely; never use force to overcome resistance.
  4. Confirm placement: use the catheter’s specified positioning checks. Do not treat contact with tissue as a cue to push farther, or apply one insertion depth to every sow.
  5. Deliver the dose: connect the compatible container and follow the specified delivery method. Stop for persistent resistance, marked backflow, bleeding or pain; ask the breeding lead to assess the animal.
  6. Withdraw and record: remove components in the sequence specified for the device, dispose of them after one animal, and record sow, boar/batch, time, operator and any difficulty.

Dose preparation and storage

Volume and sperm number are separate specifications. A smaller volume does not by itself demonstrate an adequate insemination dose. Use the semen supplier’s validated specification for the insemination method and the farm’s release criteria. Prepare extender, mix, fill and cool according to the applicable instructions; do not assume a fixed waiting time or shelf life works for every extender.

Equipment for this workflow

The Gaofan No. 1 catheter is available in variants for different sow requirements. Confirm the variant, dimensions and connector compatibility before ordering. Soft components do not eliminate injury risk or replace training.

Dose-management guide.

For model selection and compatibility, contact DOLO or email [email protected].

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