title: Induction of parturition in swine with prostaglandin analogs and oxytocin.
abstract: Two trials were conducted to increase the effectiveness of parturition induction with PG analogs. In trial 1, 39 sows were treated with the analog Luprostiol (Pronilen, Vemie/Kempen). Of these, 19 received an additional injection of 30 i.u. oxytocin 24 h later. In trial 2, 126 sows were divided into four groups, three of which were treated with the analog Alfaprostol (Vetem/Milano), while one served as control. Two of the PG-treated groups received an additional oxytocin injection either 24 or 20 h later, respectively. The response to either of the PG analogs resembled that observed during earlier studies although the percentage of sows responding was somewhat lower (70% and 77%, respectively). Oxytocin increased the number of respondents to 84 and 89%, respectively, and parturition commenced promptly. In trial 1, parturition started within 2.1+/-1.6 (0 to 5) h after oxytocin, in trial 2 within 1.57+/-1.06 (0.5 to 3) h when the interval between prostaglandin and oxytocin was 24 h, and 1.81+/-0.84 (0.5 to 3) h when it was 20 h (x+/-SD). Parturition and viability, birth weight and weaning weight of piglets were normal. The proportion of sows in trial 2 that showed increased body temperature during the first 3 days post partum was reduced from 22.9% in the control group to 8.6, 14.3 and 7.1% in the three groups receiving just PG or PG and oxytocin after 24 or 20 h, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik der Universität Göttingen, Albrecht-Thaer-Weg 1, 3400 Göttingen, West Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Holtz
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Welp