title: Post-mortem examination of the reproductive organs of female wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Sweden.
abstract: In recent decades, wild boars (Sus scrofa) have increased in numbers and distribution in Europe. Compared to other wild ungulates of similar body size, wild boars have a high reproductive capacity. To increase the knowledge of wild boar reproduction, the objective of this study was to investigate characteristics of reproductive organs, and to provide information on the occurrence of abnormalities in reproductive organs from free-ranging female wild boars. Between December 2011 and December 2015, reproductive organs from female wild boars (>30 kg body weight), were collected during hunting in four Swedish counties at estates where supplementary feeding was applied. The organs were macroscopically examined and measured. The stage of the reproductive cycle was defined according to the ovarian structures and in relation to uterus characteristics. Observed abnormalities were noted. The results from 569 animals that met the requirements to be included in this study showed significant differences in weight and length of the uterus between the various reproductive stages. Sampling region had significant effect on these differences. Abnormalities in the reproductive organs were present in approximately 10% of the examined animals. The prevalence of abnormalities increased significantly with age and was significantly affected by sampling region.
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8945-8349
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmsten
authors.affiliation: Grimsö Wildlife Research Station, Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Riddarhyttan, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jansson
authors.affiliation: Division of Reproduction, Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dalin
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D012098:Reproduction; D034421:Sus scrofa / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D013548:Sweden