scholarly journals The Suinfort® Semen Supplement Counters Seasonal Infertility in Iberian Sows

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3176
Author(s):  
Javier Piñán ◽  
Felipe Martinez-Pastor ◽  
Beatriz Alegre ◽  
Magdalena Maj ◽  
Roy N. Kirkwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Lower Fertility ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Seasonal Infertility

Suinfort®, a commercial semen supplement demonstrated to increase fertility and litter size in commercial sows, was tested to improve reproductive performance in Iberian sows. A total of 1430 Iberian sows were artificially inseminated (AI) with semen from Duroc boars and assigned by parity to receive the seminal additive Suinfort® containing 2 IU oxytocin, 5 µg lecirelin, and 2 mM caffeine (SF; n = 1713 AI), or to serve as non-supplemented controls (CON; n = 2625 AI). CON showed a lower fertility comparing to winter for spring (p = 0.001) and summer (p < 0.001); summer was lower than autumn (p = 0.012). SF removed this seasonal effect (p > 0.05). Fertility was significantly higher for SF sows during summer (p = 0.025) and autumn (p = 0.004). Total born, live-born, stillborn, and mummified piglets did not differ between CON and SF but were impacted by the season, with total and live-born decreasing in summer compared with autumn (p < 0.001) and winter (p = 0.005). In conclusion, seminal supplementation with Suinfort® improved the fertility of Iberian sows during periods of seasonal infertility.

Effect of altering the ratio of exogenous gonadotropins on reproductive performance of primiparous sows during the seasonal infertility period

2019 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 202-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nutthee Am-in ◽  
Mongkol Techakumphu ◽  
R.N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
Estrus Detection ◽  
Estrus Response ◽  
Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Seasonal Infertility

At weaning, 150 primiparous sows were assigned sequentially to receive 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) with 200 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (Gn600), or 400 IU eCG with 400 IU hCG (Gn800), or served as untreated controls. Compared with control and Gn600, the Gn800 had increased estrus response by day 7 and reduced wean-to-estrus intervals (P < 0.05). Compared with controls, both Gn600 and Gn800 increased numbers of large follicles (≥6 mm) at estrus detection (P < 0.05) and the subsequent farrowing rates (P < 0.05). Litter size was unaffected. These data demonstrate the efficacy of supplemental hCG for alleviating effects of seasonal infertility in primiparous sows.

Seasonal reproductive performance of crossbred ewes in intensive lamb-production systems

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 791 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. M. Fogarty ◽  
J. G. Mulholland
Keyword(s):  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Wagga Wagga ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
Season Interaction

The lambing performance of 1179 crossbred ewes with 5540 joining records in three seasons (autumn, winter and spring) at two sites (Cowra and Wagga Wagga) was evaluated in three lamb-production systems (spring joining with autumn backup matings at both locations, with accelerated lambing at Cowra or annual autumn joining at Wagga Wagga) over 4 years. Two genotypes of ewes, Border Leicester × Merino (BLM) and Hyfer (Dorset × Merino composite), were used at both sites, with natural matings to Dorset, Suffolk or Hyfer rams. The following five traits were analysed separately at each site to evaluate ewe lambing performance: fertility, litter size, lambs born (per ewe joined), lambs weaned (per ewe joined) and weight of lamb weaned (per ewe joined). The mixed model included fixed effects for season of joining, ewe breed, ram group, ewe prejoining weight (spline) and their interactions, with ewe fitted as a random effect. The autumn (February) joinings had higher ewe fertility, litter size and overall lamb production than did joinings in spring (October and November), with winter (June) being intermediate. At the autumn joinings, the BLM ewes had higher fertility, lambs weaned and weight of lamb weaned than did the Hyfer ewes, although this was reversed at the spring joinings, causing significant season × ewe breed interactions. While litter size was larger in the autumn than in the spring for both breeds there was a much smaller seasonal effect among the Hyfer than BLM ewes. Prejoining ewe weight had a significant effect on all reproduction traits, with generally a curvilinear response with increasing weight. The interactions of weight with season × ewe breed were significant (P < 0.001) for all traits at Cowra and most traits at Wagga Wagga. Ram group was significant (P < 0.05) for most traits, with ewes joined to Hyfer rams having higher fertility than those joined to Suffolk. and with Dorset rams being intermediate. At Wagga Wagga, this was the case for spring joinings, but there was no difference between the ram groups in autumn, causing a significant ram × season interaction (P < 0.001). Ewe repeatability ranged from 0.15 to 0.25 for all traits. Using suitable breeds or genotypes, together with optimising management, could improve out-of-season lamb production.

The influence of premating feeding level and exogenous insulin on the reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 249-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Protein Diet ◽  
Exogenous Insulin ◽  
Feeding Level ◽  
Sow Nutrition ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Farrowing Rate

At weaning (day 0), 120 mixed parity Yorkshire × Landrace sows were allocated in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement to be fed a 16% crude protein diet at either 1.8 or 3.6 kg d−1 until breeding and to receive either no insulin or insulin (0.75 IU kg−1) on days 1–4, inclusively. There were no significant effects of dietary or insulin treatments on days to rebreeding, farrowing rate or subsequent litter size. Key words: Sow, nutrition, insulin, reproduction

scholarly journals Effect of Season and Parity on Reproduction Performance of Iberian Sows Bred with Duroc Semen

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 3275
Author(s):  
Javier Piñán ◽  
Beatriz Alegre ◽  
Roy N. Kirkwood ◽  
Cristina Soriano-Úbeda ◽  
Magdalena Maj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Length Change ◽  
Day Length ◽  
Seasonal Effects ◽  
Seasonal Effect ◽  
Maximum Daily Temperature ◽  
Linear Mixed Effects ◽  
Intensive Farming ◽  
Iberian Pig ◽  
Lower Fertility

The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed from the Iberian Peninsula highly valued for its meat. The sows are often bred as Iberian × Duroc crossings for increased efficiency. Since sow parity and season affect the reproductive performance, we evaluated two-year records from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm (live, stillborn, and mummified piglets after artificial insemination, AI). A total of 1293 Iberian sows were inseminated with semen from 57 boars (3024 AI). The effects of parity (gilts, 1, 2–4, 5–10, and >10 farrowings) and season were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models (LME). The data were fitted to cosinor models to investigate seasonal effects within parity groups. The effects of maximum daily temperature (MDT) and day length change (DLC) during spermatogenesis, pre-AI, and post-AI periods were analyzed with LME. The 2–4 group was the optimal one for parity. A seasonal effect was evident between spring–summer (lower fertility/prolificacy) and autumn–winter (higher). Cosinor showed that the seasonal drop in reproductive performance occurs earlier in Iberian sows than in other breeds, more evident in gilts. MDT negatively affected performance in all periods and DLC in spermatogenesis and pre-AI. These results are relevant for the improvement of Iberian sows’ intensive farming.

Effects of Buserelin on day of service or 12 days post service on farrowing rate and litter size to first service in outdoor sows and gilts

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 ◽  
pp. 176-176
Author(s):  
A.R. Peters ◽  
L.A. Dwyer ◽  
A. Dawson ◽  
P.A. Canham ◽  
J.D. Mackinnon
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Group ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
East Anglia ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Prolonged Weaning ◽  
Breeding Herd ◽  
Commercial Breeding ◽  
Buserelin Treatment ◽  
Seasonal Infertility ◽  
Farrowing Rate

The problem of seasonal infertility in pigs has been recognised for many years. The infertility complex can may be manifested by increased returns to service, prolonged weaning to oestrus intervals and decreased litter size. The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the effects of Buserelin treatment on fertility in sows and gilts during the seasonally infertile period.A total of 1231 mixed parity sows and gilts from five outdoor herds in East Anglia were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups. Any sows not presented for service at first post weaning oestrus were excluded. All sows and gilts judged to be in adequate health and condition to be kept in a commercial breeding herd were included. Group C sows and gilts were given no treatment. Group R1 sows and gilts were injected i.m. with 8μg Buserelin (2.0ml Receptal; Hoechst Roussel Vet UK Ltd) on the day of service.

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

scholarly journals The influence of adding estradiol to semen on reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol

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