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Impact of farrowing induction on the time of farrowing in sows
The effect of farrowing induction on the time of farrowing was evaluated using 152 multiparous sows (parities 2-9) in a commercial facility. The study was carried out as RCBD with 2 treatments (76 sows/treatment): Control (no farrowing induction) and Induced (induced on d 114 of gestation). Sows had previously been administered OvuGel® prior to a fixed-time insemination and were given a single dose of 10 mg prostaglandin (Lutalyse® 5 mg/mL) between 0700 and 0800 h on d 114. Farrowings were attended by animal care staff between 0600 and 1600 h daily but were unattended at other times. Gestation length was shorter (P = 0.003) for the Induced treatment compared to the Control treatment (114.7 dvs. 115.3 d, respectively). There was no effect (P > 0.05) of farrowing induction on total number of piglets born (13.0 vs. 13.7, for Induced and Control; SEM 0.42), or for the number and percentage of piglets born alive (12.2 and 93.8% vs. 12.6 and 92.5%,, respectively), born dead (0.7 and 5.4% vs. 0.8 and 5.9%, respectively), or mummified (0.1 and 0.7% vs. 0.2 and 1.5%, respectively). Induction increased (P < 0.05) the percentage of farrowing occurring from 0600 to 1200 h on the d following induction (37.6% vs. 23.9%, for Induced and Control, respectively) but reduced the percentage occurring from 0000 to 0600 hours (9.5% vs 17.7%, respectively), and 1200 to 1800 hours (31.5% vs 36.3%, respectively). The total number of farrowings attended (completely or in part) was greater (P = 0.03) for the Induced than the Control treatment (75.0% vs 57.9%, respectively). In conclusion, farrowing induction in sows that had been synchronized for insemination using OvuGel® increased the number of farrowings occurring during the normal working day without affecting litter size.
Keywords: pigs, farrowing, induction