title: Effect of modified eros centre on some reproductive parameters of the sow.
abstract: The effect of a modified eros centre on weaning to oestrus interval, follicle size, ovulation and farrowing rate and total born litter size was investigated. In modified eros centre 94.4% and in group housing 79.1% of the sows (p < 0.01) expressed oestrus within 10 days post-weaning. Weaning to oestrus interval was shorter (p < 0.001) for sows kept in modified eros centre. The interval from onset of oestrus to the time of ovulation was longer for sows in group housing (p=0.05). The time of ovulation was negatively correlated (r=-0.50) with the interval from weaning to oestrus (p=0.005). The time of ovulation after onset of oestrus was significantly (p < 0.05) shorter for sows expressing oestrus within 2-4 days of weaning, compared with the animals that expressed oestrus between days 5 and 6 post-weaning and was shortest for sows expressing oestrus after day 6 post-weaning. Farrowing rate was not affected by a modified eros centre. Litter size tended to be smaller in group-housed weaned sows (p=0.10). The timing of last artificial insemination relative to time of ovulation did not affect litter size (p > 0.10). The implication of these results is that a modified eros centre may improve some of the post-weaning oestrous parameters of the sow.
authors.affiliation: MGB Osijek, Croatia and BG, Bilkei Consulting, Dübendorf, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bilkei
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning