scholarly journals 43 Correlates of reproductive tract anatomy and uterine histomorphometrics with fertility in swine

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
J. D'Ambrosio ◽  
M. Malopolska ◽  
R. Tuz ◽  
T. Schwarz ◽  
L. Ekanayake ◽  
...  

Economic potential of the swine industry hinges upon the reproductive performance of sows, which may be enhanced by improving uterine capacity, a component trait of litter size and piglet productivity. Previous attempts at characterising morphological traits indicative of high uterine volume have not been completely successful, resulting in the continued need for a reliable method of predicting reproductive value to improve production efficiency of the sow. Hence, the main objective of this study was to scrutinize macro- and micro-morphology of the sow’s reproductive tract for quantitative correlations with fertility indices. Reproductive records from Polish Landrace×Polish Large White sows (mean±s.e.m. parity: 4.3±0.6, range: 2–8) were used to examine the associations between fertility and ovarian/uterine morphology (n=34) or uterine histomorphometry (n=10) posthumously. Simple linear regression was performed to determine the relationship between anatomical or histological parameters and various measures of reproductive performance. Several measures related to the ovary, including right and left ovarian weight (r=0.50, P=0.005, and r=0.49, P=0.006, respectively), were positively correlated with the litter size, whereas left ovarian number of corpora lutea (r=−0.38, P=0.04) was negatively correlated with the mean litter size. Analysis of histomorphological characteristics of the uterine wall collected during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle revealed correlations between mean litter size and myometrial vascular content (r=0.75, P=0.03), the proportion of myometrial stroma (r=−0.68, P=0.03), and the variability of endometrial thickness (r=−0.72, P=0.02) in sows. Eight ovarian, vaginal, and uterine characteristics were significantly correlated with mean lifetime numbers of live born and stillborn piglets/litter or the last litter size before slaughter. In conclusion, several anatomical and histomorphological metrics that relate to reproductive performance of swine may be used to inform production protocols and as a tool for selection of elite breeding sows, warranting future research into noninvasive or minimally invasive techniques for obtaining such measures.

Author(s):  
C.T. Whittemore ◽  
H. Yang ◽  
P. Phillips ◽  
P.R. Eastham

The influence of fatness at parturition, nutrition during lactation and the size of litter upon changes in backfat depth, live weight and conformation of sows over four parities has been presented in the first report. The present report will deal with the consequences for reproductive performance and production efficiency.One hundred and two Large White x Landrace Fl hybrid gilts were purchased from the Cotswold Pig Development Company Limited at about 30 kg live weight. At mating, animals were allocated at random to one of B treatments comprising: two levels (fat and thin) of target backfat thickness at parturition (10-14 mm. T vs 20-24 mm. F): two daily feeding levels (high and low) during 4-week lactation (3 kg. L vs ad libitum to a maximum of 7 kg. H): and two sizes of sucking litter (5 vs 9 in parity 1, and 6 vs 10 in parities 2, 3 and 4).


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight


2020 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 434-441
Author(s):  
R. Klimas ◽  
A. Klimienė ◽  
W. Sobotka ◽  
W. Kozera ◽  
P. Matusevičius

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6.Keywords: Landrace, Large White, Lithuanian White, litter size


2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian Knecht ◽  
Kamil Duziński

Abstract The aim of this study was to demonstrate the influence of the month of insemination on the reproductive performance of crossbred sows in moderate climates. The research material consisted of 309 primiparous and 625 multiparous (PLW×PL) sows kept on an industrial-scale farm. Analysis included 2457 litters obtained during a five-year period from 2006 to 2011. Statistically, the lowest number of piglets born alive and weaned was observed as a result of summer month insemination (July, August, September) compared to the winter months (February, March) (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05). Inseminations in the first four months of the year resulted in a higher number of piglets born alive in second and following parities (P≤0.01). Statistically significant differences in litter size due to the month of insemination were observed for sows in parities 4 and 5-11 (P≤0.01 and P≤0.05). The shortest farrowing interval was demonstrated for sows inseminated in November, the longest in January, March (P≤0.01) and April, July (P≤0.05). The results indicate that the insemination month of the sow may affect some reproductive parameters.


2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-131
Author(s):  
Dorota Napierała ◽  
Maria Kawęcka ◽  
Eugenia Jacyno ◽  
Beata Matysiak ◽  
Anita Kołodziej-Skalska

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the potential relationship between variants of the BF gene and litter size in Polish Landrace x Polish Large White sows. To identify polymorphism within the BF gene, the PCR-RFLP method was applied, using specific primers and the SmaI enzyme. The researchers identified the presence of two alleles, T and C, with frequencies: 0.68 and 0.32, giving three genotypes with frequencies: 0.49, 0.37 and 0.14, respectively for TT, TC and CC. Analysis of relationships between the various genotypes of the BF gene and selected reproductive traits showed significant differences. Sows with TT genotype in the BF locus, gave birth to significantly more live piglets in the first litter (10.24) compared with sows with the CC genotype (7.13).


1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. H. Brooks ◽  
D. J. A. Cole

SUMMARYFollowing weaning of their first litter at 42 days post partum, 36 Landrace × (Landrace × Large White) sows were fasted for 24 hr then allocated to one of three feed levels, 1·8, 2·7 and 3·6 kg food/day, until the day after mating. During pregnancy all the sows received 1·8 kg food/day.The incidence of infertility and anoestrus was greatest for sows fed 1·8 kg/day and least for sows fed 3·6 kg·day. Sows fed 1·8 kg/day took significantly (P < 0·01) longer (21·6 + 3·0 days) to return to oestrus than sows fed 3·6 kg/day (9·2 ± 2·2 days). The mean litter size for sows fed 1·8, 2·7 and 3·6 kg food/day was 9·4 ± 0·9, 10·1 ± 0·8 and 11·5 ± 0·6 piglets respectively, but these differences were not significant.


2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1040
Author(s):  
W. H. E. J. van Wettere ◽  
M. Mitchell ◽  
D. K. Revell ◽  
P. E. Hughes

The effect of moderate restriction of pre- and peri-pubertal liveweight gain on puberty attainment and potential litter size was investigated. At 69 days of age, 48 Large White/Landrace crossbred gilts (28.3 ± 0.3 kg), were fed to attain a liveweight of 70 kg (LIGHT) or 100 kg (HEAVY) at 161 days of age (n = 24 gilts/treatment). At 161 days of age, half the gilts in each group were fed to gain liveweight at 0.5 (LOW) or 1.0 (HIGH) kg/day until puberty (n = 12 gilts/treatment). From 175 days of age, gilts received 20 min/day of full, physical boar contact. Gilts were artificially inseminated at the pubertal oestrus, with reproductive tracts collected 22 ± 0.1 days later, and the number of corpora lutea and viable embryos recorded. LIGHT-LOW gilts were older (P < 0.05) at puberty compared with LIGHT-HIGH, HEAVY-LOW and HEAVY-HIGH gilts; 207.7 ± 3.50 versus 191.7 ± 3.65, 193.1 ± 3.50 and 192.5 ± 3.65, respectively. Treatment (HIGH vs LOW) increased (P < 0.05) pubertal ovulation rate (15.2 ± 0.43 vs 13.1 ± 0.47), oestradiol at oestrus (13.4 ± 1.87 vs 9.1 ± 1.22 pg/mL) and progesterone 72 h post-oestrus (7.1 ± 0.48 vs 4.6 ± 0.50 ng/mL). Embryo number (10.8 ± 0.46) and survival (77.0 ± 3.21) were unaffected (P > 0.05) by treatment. To conclude, puberty was delayed by chronic, but not acute, dietary restriction. Although short-term, moderate increases in feed intake increased pubertal ovulation rates, embryo numbers and survival were unaffected.


2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 378-382
Author(s):  
Jerzy Lechowski ◽  
Anna Kasprzyk ◽  
Mirosław Tyra ◽  
Beata Trawińska

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of vitamin C on indicators of gilts and sows reproductive value. The study was conducted using 64 gilts of the Pulawska breed. The experimental gilts received a supplement of vitamin C in an amount of 2.4 g daily throughout the whole experiment. Sixteen gilts from both control and experimental groups were mated in their third estrus. In order to determine the number of corpora lutea and the state of development of the reproductive organs, other gilts from the control and experimental groups were slaughtered after third estrus between the 5th and 10th day of the following estrous cycle. The results showed that gilts from the experimental group were characterized by higher potential fertility, as well as reared more piglets per litter. In the body weight and backfat thickness of sows during the first reproduction cycle in the control and experimental groups were not statistically significantly different. The piglets in the experimental group had higher body weight in the 1st and 21st day of rearing. Larger contents of protein, immunoglobulins, and vitamin C were recorded in the colostrum and milk from experimental sows.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiali Chen ◽  
Fuchang Li ◽  
Weiren Yang ◽  
Shuzhen Jiang ◽  
Yang Li

The experiment was conducted to compare the differences of gut microbiota and metabolic status of sows with different litter sizes on days 30 and 110 of gestation, and uncover the relationship between the composition of maternal gut microbiota during gestation and sow reproductive performance. Twenty-six Large White × Landrace crossbred multiparous sows (2nd parity) with similar back fat thickness and body weight were assigned to two groups [high-reproductive performance group (HP group) and low-reproductive performance group (LP group)] according to their litter sizes and fed a common gestation diet. Results showed that compared with LP sows, HP sows had significantly lower plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) on gestation d 30 (P &lt; 0.05), but had significantly higher plasma levels of TG, non-esterified fatty acid, tumor necrosis factor-α, and immunoglobulin M on gestation d 110 (P &lt; 0.05). Consistently, HP sows revealed increased alpha diversity and butyrate-producing genera, as well as fecal butyrate concentration, on gestation d 30; HP sows showed significantly different microbiota community structure with LP sows (P &lt; 0.05) and had markedly higher abundance of Firmicutes (genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Terrisporobacter) which were positively related with litter size on gestation d 110 than LP sows (P &lt; 0.05). In addition, plasma biochemical parameters, plasma cytokines, and fecal microbiota shifted dramatically from gestation d 30 to d 110. Therefore, our findings demonstrated that microbial abundances and community structures differed significantly between sows with different litter sizes and gestation stages, which was associated with changes in plasma biochemical parameters, inflammatory factors, and immunoglobulin. Moreover, these findings revealed that there was a significant correlation between litter size and gut microbiota of sows, and provided a microbial perspective to improve sow reproductive performance in pig production.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 313-316
Author(s):  
N. S. A. Niyazov ◽  
G. G. Cherepanov ◽  
K. S. Ostrenko

This study examines certain identifiable non-genetic sources of variation (parity number, year and season farrowing) for their effects on Large White sow litter performance traits, such as litter size, mortality and weight of piglets at birth and at weaning. The population used for the present study is from a pig farm managed by Tavriys’ki svyni, LLC, located in Skadovsky district (Kherson Oblast, Ukraine). Reproductive performance records on 280 Large White (LW) sows were used. A total of 633 litters were farrowed from January 2007 to July 2017. The litter records included information on the total number of piglets born (TNB), number of piglets born alive (NBA), number of stillborn piglets (NSB), frequency of stillborn piglets (FSB), average weight of piglets at birth (AWPB), litter size at weaning (NW), piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) and average weight of piglets at weaning (AWPW). To determine the effect of parity number, year and month farrowing on reproductive performance traits, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Results obtained showed significant influence of parity number on most of the reproductive parameters studied, apart from AWPB, PWM and AWPW. The total litter size at birth was the lowest in primiparous sows and in cases second-parity sows, but significantly exceeded the overall average population estimation during the fourth-sixth parities farrowing. The least squares estimates of the mortality rate of piglets at birth were significantly lower than in second parity sows, however they significantly increased in sows at eighth parity. The year of the sow's farrowing had the most significant influence on the weight of piglets at birth and at weaning. Moreover, a clear upward trend can be noted in relation to the weight of piglets at birth, which is accompanied by a gradual increase of the corresponding least squares estimates during 2007-2015. Late summer and early autumn (August-October) are the seasons when the litter size traits in the LW sows consistently show the lowest values, indicating a ‘seasonal infertility period’. Thus, all the analysis performed in the present work shows that in the LW sows, as in other pig breeds, the parity number, year and season farrowing influence the reproductive and developmental processes.


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