A new study confirms that Antimicrobial Peptides (AMP) can reduce the use of antibiotics in pig breeding.

Margarita Dathe, one of the researchers, said that antimicrobial peptides could be used for preservation of other cells.

She also added that further study showed that AMPs can be developed as a treatment for superficial infection.

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In their study, researchers found out that AMPs can fight bacteria and suppress growth of bacteria.

They explained that bacteria are adaptable which can lead to increase resistance against antibiotics and cause problems from breeders using artificial insemination.

Artificial insemination is a reproductive technology used by breeders to assist in there reproduction of their pigs.

To do this, scientist retrieves a freshly ejaculated semen form a boar that contains bacteria, which is detrimental to the longevity of the sperm.

After that, they add antibiotics to the liquid semen that is required by law and inhibits bacterial growth.

Different types of bacteria quickly develop resistance to the applied antibiotics which prompt researchers to find antimicrobial alternatives.

Karin Muller, one of the researchers, stressed that their research also showed that AMPs can't offer a complete alternative for traditional antibiotics for liquid sperm preservation.

Despite this, the study also proves that AMPs can reduce the concentration of the sperm. Researchers believe that this provides great benefits because this could allow breeders to use fewer antibiotics.

The result of the study was conducted by the German Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Leibniz Institute of Molecular Pharmacology and the Institute for Reproduction of Farm Animals Schoenow.

The results had been published in Plos One, a scientific online journal.