title: The effect of depopulation and restocking on reproductive and growth performances on Japanese commercial swine farms.
abstract: This study compared the reproductive and growth performances of pigs before and after depopulation and restocking after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Japan. Data for the time period before and after depopulation and restocking were obtained from three farrow-to-finish farms. As a result of depopulation and restocking, hygiene levels were improved, and common infectious diseases, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome and Aujeszky's disease, remained undetected on the farms. Compared with before depopulation, reproductive and growth performances improved after depopulation; the number of total pigs born was higher, the postweaning mortality rate was lower, and the age at slaughter was lower (P<0.05). In summary, depopulation and restocking improved the reproductive and growth performances of pigs.
authors.affiliation: Organization for Promotion of Tenure Track, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki 889-2192, Japan.
authors.forename: Yosuke
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: Ryoko
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: Masuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sueyoshi
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007564:Japan; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012098:Reproduction; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*