Patent granted to “Extender for preservation of boar semen” invented by ICAR-CCARI, Goa

    An application No. 3037/MUM/2015 dated August 11, 2015 entitled “Extender for preservation of boar semen” invented by ICAR-CCARI, Goa has been granted patent No. 355114 dated: January 1, 2021.

    Pigs are reared on a large scale globally as an important source of meat and India too, is not behind, and pig-rearing as an organized industry has seen rapid strides since the last decade. Various governmental and non-governmental agencies, besides the industry, are taking efforts for promotion of pig-rearing for improving the socio-economic status of pig farmers, who generally belong to the lower economic strata of society.  Use of advanced reproductive technologies like Artificial Insemination (AI) in pigs is the need of the hour especially for boosting pig production and profitability. Semen collected  needs to be preserved for AI. However, implementation of such technology has not been truly successful till date largely due to non-permeation, technical complexities, and costs that remain beyond the reach of those involved in pig-rearing. The present invention helps in effectively preserving porcine semen for periods extending at least 48 to 72 hours idealy  and even upto 120 hours or more, at holding temperatures of 15-17°C. This extender preserves pig semen at liquid state. This extendor has a protocol of use which is simple, cost-effective and within ambit of even a layman to implement. Researchers have used this product for their research work and different pig production centres in neighbouring states regularly procure this extender for pig breeding through AI. Potential beneficiaries of this technology include the pig farmers, researchers, state animal husbandry departments, industrialists and agri-entrepreneurs.