title: Lack of an effect of prostaglandin injection at estrus onset on the time of ovulation and on reproductive performance in weaned sows.
abstract: We evaluated the effects of a PGF2alpha analogue on time of ovulation and reproductive performance in multiparous Camborough sows (n=47). At onset of first post-weaning estrus, sows received either an intravulval injection of 3.75 mg of prostaglandin analogue (PGF) or, served as a non-injected control (CON). Beginning 24 h after the onset of estrus, transcutaneous ultrasonography was carried out every six h to determine time of ovulation. At 36, 54, and 72 h after the onset of estrus, blood samples were taken for progesterone analysis. Weaning-to-estrus (WEI), duration of estrus, ovulation rate and number of live embryos at d 28 of gestation were recorded. Treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on any parameters measured. Duration of estrus classified as less or greater than the overall mean also had no effect (P > 0.05) on any of the parameters measured. Results indicate that treatment did not advance ovulation nor did it improve reproductive performance in sows. Overall, a negative correlation of WEI with the ovulation rate (P = 0.0005, r = -0.54) was established.
authors.affiliation: Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Kirkwood
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Foxcroft
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000502:physiology; D004971:Estrus / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D010060:Ovulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014886:Weaning
chemical_list: D011461:Prostaglandins F, Synthetic; C049643:luprostenol