Influence of repeat-service and weaning-to-first-service interval on farrowing proportion of gilts and sows.
The present study was performed to evaluate different components of reproductive failure after service under a tropical climate and to investigate the influence of repeat-service and delayed wean-to-service interval (WSI) on subsequent fertility in gilts and sows. The study was conducted in four commercial swine breeding herds in the northeastern part of Thailand. Data were collected during a 3-year period from July 2005 to June 2008. A total of 30,058 insemination records from 9037 gilts and sows was included. On average, the farrowing proportion (FP) was 81.9% and adjusted FP (excluding gilts/sows culled after service) was 85.3%. The reasons for the failure to farrow included return-to-oestrus 9.4%, abortion 1.7%, not being pregnant 1.0% and not-in-pig 2.0%. Non-repeat-service females had 83.7% FP, while those that experienced repeat-serviced for 1, 2 and > or = 3 times had 71.2%, 57.7% and 43.4% FP, respectively (P<0.001). The seasonal influence on FP was observed in non-repeat-serviced females, but not in those that experienced repeat-service. Sows mated during 0-6 days after weaning had 86.8% FP, while those mated 7-10, 11-20 and 21-60 days after weaning had 78.9%, 78.9% and 78.4% FP, respectively (P<0.001). It is concluded that repeat-service in gilts/sows resulted in a 12.5% decrease in FP. Sows returning to oestrus later than 6 days after weaning had 7% lower FP than sows mated within 6 days after weaning.
Tummaruk
Padet
P
Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Padet.T@chula.ac.th
Tantasuparuk
Wichai
W
Techakumphu
Mongkol
M
Kunavongkrit
Annop
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D005260:Female; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D013785:Thailand; D013997:Time Factors; D014329:Tropical Climate; D014886:Weaning