EFFECT OF FORCED EXERCISE DURING GESTATION ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF SOWS

1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 851-859 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. FERKET ◽  
R. R. HACKER
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Key Words Exercise ◽  
Birth Intervals ◽  
Blood Samples

A trial was conducted to determine the effect of forced exercise during gestation on the reproductive performance of sows. On day 35 of gestation, 48 first parity Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated to one of four groups of 12: control-cannulated, control-noncannulated, exercised-cannulated, exercised-noncannulated. Exercised sows were forced to walk 2 km daily until day 108 of gestation when appropriate sows were cannulated in the ear vein. From day 109 on, all sows were in farrowing crates, and blood samples were taken twice daily from cannulated sows except during parturition, when samples were taken every 15 min. Serum was assayed for progesterone, estradiol and cortisol. Cannulation had no effect on any of the parameters measured. Exercised sows (ES) farrowed faster and had shorter birth intervals than control sows (CS) (P = 0.06). Several of the CS took longer than 12 h to complete farrowing whereas all ES farrowed within this time. The stillbirth rates did not differ between the two groups but a higher percentage of piglets from CS (P < 0.001) than ES died before suckling. The hormone profiles and interval from weaning to first estrus were similar between the groups but estradiol/progesterone ratios tended to be higher in exercised sows from 24 h prepartum to onset of parturition. Prepartum levels of cortisol started to increase sooner in control than exercised sows (P < 0.05). It is concluded that exercise during gestation can improve the farrowing performance of first parity sows through shorter farrowing times and more viable piglets at birth. Key words: Exercise, reproductive performance, farrowing, sows, steroids

Effect of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on sow reproductive performance

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 911-917 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Baidoo ◽  
F. X. Aherne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
G. R. Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Factorial Design ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Vena Cava ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Embryo Survival ◽  
Blood Samples

To study the effects of feed intake during lactation and after weaning on reproductive performance, 89 second-parity Lacombe sows were allowed 6 kg feed d−1 (H) or were restricted to 3 kg feed d−1 (R) during lactation and during the weaning to estrus interval (WEI); this resulted in a 2 × 2 factorial design (groups HH, HR, RH and RR). To minimize the confounding effects of duration of WEI on sow performance, the experiment was terminated 10 d after weaning. The diet was formulated to provide 12.4 M J ME kg−1 and 16% crude protein. Restricted feeding during lactation resulted in a longer (P < 0.05) WEI (7.3 d vs. 5.9 d). WEI was not affected by feed intake after weaning. Fewer (P < 0.05) sows feed restricted during lactation exhibited estrus by 10 d from weaning (31.8% vs. 88.9%). Ovulation rate was not affected by lactation or postweaning feed intake. However, embryo survival at 25 d of gestation was influenced (P < 0.05) by feed intake during both periods. The highest embryo survival (85%) was in HR sows, and the lowest (64%) was in RR sows. Blood samples were taken from 12 sows from each of the four treatments by means of indwelling vena cava cannulae at 6-h intervals from weaning until 24 h after mating or 10 d after weaning, whichever came first. Plasma gonadotrophin concentrations were reduced (P < 0.05) by low feed intake during lactation but were unaffected by postweaning feed intake. Peak preovulatory LH surge concentrations were highest (9.5 ng mL−1) in HR sows and lowest (7.6 ng mL−1) in RR sows (P < 0.05). These data confirm the adverse effects of restricted feeding during lactation on the reproductive performance of sows and indicate that such effects may be mediated through changes in plasma LH concentrations. No significant effect of post-weaning feed intake on any measured factor was observed. Key words: Sow, feed intake, reproductive performance

Incomplete Muscle Activation After Training With Electromyostimulation

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Hortobágyi ◽  
Jean Lambert ◽  
Kevin Scott
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Motor Units ◽  
Eccentric Contraction ◽  
Key Words Exercise ◽  
Eccentric Contractions ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Force Ratio ◽  
Evoked Force ◽  
Large Motor

Training with voluntary or electromyostimulation (EMS)-evoked eccentric contractions should produce complete muscle activation, since EMS and eccentric contractions preferentially recruit large motor units. Subjects (22 women ages 18-40) were randomly assigned to a voluntary (VOL; n = 8), EMS (n = 8), or control group. VOL and EMS groups trained the quadriceps at the same, increasing force levels 4 times/week for 6 weeks using voluntary or EMS-evoked eccentric contractions. VOL improved voluntary more than EMS-evoked eccentric strength. EMS improved EMS-evoked strength more than voluntary. EMS training improved EMS-evoked eccentric strength more than VOL training improved voluntary eccentric strength. EMS-evoked to voluntary force ratio increased from 0.57 (±0.11) to 1.20 (±0.35) in EMS and did not change in VOL (all changes p < .05). Six of eight EMS subjects produced greater EMS-evoked force posttraining, suggesting incomplete muscle activation after EMS training. Key words: exercise, eccentric contraction, muscle activation

THE ACCUMULATIVE EFFECT OF FINNSHEEP BREEDING IN CROSSBREEDING SCHEMES: REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMED H. FAHMY ◽  
JACQUES J. DUFOUR
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Conception Rate ◽  
Ovulation Rate ◽  
Genetic Groups ◽  
Linear Regressions ◽  
Size At Birth

Reproductive performance and body weight were studied on 361 ewes, representing Finnsheep (F), DLS (a population of 1/2 Dorset, 1/4 Leicester, 1/4 Suffolk) and seven combinations ranging from 1/8 to 7/8 Finnsheep breeding. Conception rate in yearlings was 61.5% for DLS compared to 89.0% for F with the crosses being intermediate. Conception rate in older ewes was similar in the different genetic groups (avg. 94%). Ovulation rate and litter size at birth of DLS ewes were 1.72 and 1.44 lambs, which was less than half those of F ewes (3.51 and 2.86 lambs, respectively). Both traits increased progressively with an increase in F breeding in crosses and with advances in age. DLS ewes weaned 1.22 lambs compared to 2.03 lambs for F ewes and 1.84 lambs for 4/8 F ewes. The heaviest litters at weaning (31.7 kg) were raised by 4/8 F ewes, followed by 7/8 F (30.8 kg) while those raised by DLS ewes weighed 23.0 kg and F ewes 29.1 kg. Percentage of ova lost per ewe mated averaged 24% and ranged between 18% (DLS and 1/8 F) and 29% (6/8 F). About 3.6% of lambs were born dead and a further 13.8% died before weaning. Preweaning mortality rate was highest in F (22.9%) and lowest in 3/8 F (9.4%). Average kilograms of lambs weaned per ewe exposed was highest in 4/8 F (27.6 kg) followed by F (26.0 kg), whereas that of DLS was the lowest at 18.1 kg. The 4/8 F cross showed 25% heterosis in kg of lambs weaned per ewe exposed and 52.5% increase over DLS. Significant positive linear regressions were calculated for ovulation rate, litter size and preweaning mortality rate on proportion of Finnsheep breeding in crosses. The relation was quadratic for percent ova lost and lamb mortality at weaning. Yearling DLS females weighted 36 kg compared to 44 kg for F yearlings. However, at 5 yr of age DLS ewes weighed 62 kg, 5 kg heavier than F ewes. The heaviest ewes at all ages were the 4/8 F (45 kg at 1 yr, 65 kg at 5 yr). Key words: Reproduction, DLS sheep, Finnsheep, crossbreeding, heterosis, repeatabilities

COMPARISON OF ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION AND NATURAL MATING ON REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF FIVE STRAINS OF SHEEP DURING THE ANESTROUS SEASON IN AN INTENSIVE SYSTEM

1979 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 675-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. HACKETT ◽  
H. A. ROBERTSON ◽  
E. K. INSKEEP ◽  
J. N. B. SHRESTHA ◽  
M. S. WOLYNETZ
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Hormone Treatment ◽  
Corpora Lutea ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Natural Mating ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
Mating Method ◽  
Intensive System

Synchronized estrus and ovulation were induced during the anestrous season (April–May 1974) in 373 ewes of three synthetic (one sire and two dam) strains and two unselected (Suffolk and Finnish Landrace) purebred strains by treatment with 30 mg fluorogestone acetate (FGA) impregnated in polyurethane intravaginal sponges for 12 days. Following sponge removal each ewe received 500 IU pregnant mares’ serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) IM. Of these, 167 were bred by artificial insemination (AI) at 48 and 60 h post sponge removal with 0.2 ml raw unextended semen collected by electroejaculation (EE). Five days after AI, ewes were exposed to a follow up ram for 16 days for subsequent mating if a second estrus occurred. The remaining 206 were exposed to rams for a period of 22 days for natural mating. Blood samples were collected from 69 ewes, 9, 19 and 27 days post sponge removal and analyzed for progesterone to ascertain if corpora lutea were formed and whether the ewes recycled. The age of ram by mating method interaction significantly affected both fertility and fecundity mainly because some of the younger rams lacked libido and experience for natural mating. There were no significant differences in prolificacy due to any of the main effects tested. Among the 69 ewes examined for progesterone levels, 93% had formed corpora lutea after hormone treatment and 16% recycled. Only 16 of the 255 ewes that did not conceive to the synchronized estrus lambed to the subsequent estrus.

Contribution of boars to reproductive performance and paternity after homospermic and heterospermic artificial insemination

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (7) ◽  
pp. 1012 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. R. Ferreira ◽  
D. B. Sávio ◽  
A. C. Guarise ◽  
M. J. Flach ◽  
G. D. A. Gastal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Penetration Rate ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Precise Evaluation ◽  
Umbilical Cords ◽  
Farrowing Rate

Heterospermic AI is commonly used in swine despite preventing precise evaluation of individual boar fertility. The present study compared the contribution of four boars (A, B, C and D) for reproductive performance and for paternity using homospermic and heterospermic (AB, AC, AD, BC, BD and CD) AI (n = 204 for homospermic AI; n = 307 for heterospermic AI). Blood samples from the four boars, from all sows inseminated with heterospermic doses and from the umbilical cords of their piglets, as well as tissue smears from mummified fetuses, were genotyped using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Differences among boars were detected for the in vitro oocyte penetration rate and for the number of spermatozoa per oocyte (P < 0.05), but not for sperm motility, mitochondrial functionality and integrity of the membrane, acrosome and DNA (P > 0.05). Homospermic and heterospermic AI resulted in similar (P > 0.05) farrowing rates (90.5% and 89.9%, respectively) and total litter size (12.4 ± 0.4 and 12.7 ± 0.7, respectively). Farrowing rate was lower for Boar B than for Boar C (P < 0.05), but no other differences in reproductive performance among boars were observed with homospermic AI. The SNPs determined the paternity of 94.2% of the piglets sired by heterospermic AI. In the AC pool, paternity contribution per boar was similar (P > 0.05), but differences between boars occurred in all other pools (P < 0.05). Boar D achieved the greatest paternity contribution in all pools and parity categories (nearly 60%), whereas Boar B sired the fewest piglets (at most 40%). Reproductive performance was similar with homospermic and heterospermic AI, but differences in performance among boars undetected with homospermic AI were only evident after genotyping the piglets sired through heterospermic AI.

scholarly journals The influence of adding estradiol to semen on reproductive performance of sows

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. N. Kirkwood ◽  
P. A. Thacker
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
And Control ◽  
Estradiol 17Β

One hundred gilts and one hundred mixed-parity sows of Yorkshire and Landrace breeding were inseminated with semen with or without an additional 10 μg estradiol-17β. Pregnancy rates of gilts receiving estradiol-supplemented and control semen were 90 and 79%, respectively (P < 0.09). The estradiol supplementation of semen did not improve the pregnancy rates or litter size in sows. Key words: Swine, artificial insemination, estradiol

The influence of purified porcine relaxin on the reproductive performance of sows following artificial insemination with fresh or frozen semen

1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 237-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Thacker ◽  
A. D. Gooneratne ◽  
R. N. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Frozen Semen

Pregnancy rates and litter sizes following insemination of sows with fresh-extended and frozen-thawed semen averaged 71 vs. 53% and 10.6 vs. 4.4, respectively, and was not affected by the addition of 12.5 μg relaxin to semen. These results indicate no relaxin mediated effect on either pregnancy rate or litter size when sows are artificially inseminated with relaxin-supplemented semen. Key words: Artificial insemination, relaxin, sows

The effect of deworming naturally infected heifers on liveweight gain, reproductive performance and fecal egg counts

1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-293
Author(s):  
S. L. Boyles ◽  
L. J. Johnson ◽  
W. D. Slanger ◽  
B. J. Kreft ◽  
J. D. Kirsch
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Fecal Sample ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Age At Puberty ◽  
Daily Gain

Twenty-six of 52 heifers with an average liveweight of 318 kg were dewormed by intraruminal injection of oxfendazole and placed in drylot on 31 January. The other 26 animals served as controls. All heifers were pastured starting on 14 June and the treatment heifers were dewormed in the same manner as at the start of the experiment (31 January) on 1 July and 31 July. The groups started out with similar total worm eggs per gram of fecal sample, but the dewormed heifers had fewer counts each month thereafter. The drylot average daily gain of the treated heifers was higher (P = 0.01) and less variable (P = 0.12) and by 29 May these animals were heavier by 11.7 kg (P = 0.10). The treated animals did not gain as fast on pasture (P = 0.20), but the gain continued to be less variable (P = 0.09). Age at puberty was not different. Number of open heifers in the treated group was 4 vs. 15% for the control group (P = 0.18). Deworming by intraruminal injection resulted in faster feedlot gains, more uniform gains during both drylot and pasture, reduced parasites and no abscess at injection sites. Key words: Anthelmintics, oxfendazole, cattle, heifers

APPLICATION OF CONTROLLED REPRODUCTION TO SHEEP FLOCKS IN NEWFOUNDLAND

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 679-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. B. SHRESTHA ◽  
L. AINSWORTH ◽  
D. P. HEANEY ◽  
A. N. SMITH
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Spring Season ◽  
Fall Season ◽  
Controlled Reproduction

A 3-yr study demonstrates that commercially acceptable reproductive performance can be achieved in breeding sheep following the application of a fluorogestone-acetate- (FGA-) impregnated intravaginal sponge and pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) treatment to induce a synchronized estrus under field conditions. Overall fertility, prolificacy and fecundity levels of 76%, 1.92 and 148%, respectively, resulted from breeding at the synchronized estrus, and 94%, 1.86 and 175%, respectively, due to breeding at the synchronized and subsequent estruses in the breeding (fall) season. In the nonbreeding (spring) season, these responses were 51%, 1.73 and 88%, respectively, at the synchronized estrus, and 63%, 1.61 and 109%, respectively, due to breeding at the synchronized and subsequent estruses. Significant farm-to-farm variation was observed with reproductive performance ranging from 77 to 100% for fertility, 1.45 to 2.74 for prolificacy, and 134 to 274% for fecundity in the estrous season. There were no significant differences among farms after synchronization and breeding during the anestrous season. Key words: Sheep, synchronization, fluorogestone acetate, pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin, season, farm flocks.

EFFECT OF DOSE OF PREGNANT MARES' SERUM GONADOTROPHIN ON THE REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF EWES SYNCHRONIZED FOR ESTRUS AND HOUSED IN TOTAL CONFINEMENT

1982 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 291-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. HACKETT
Keyword(s):  
Key Words ◽  
Reproductive Performance

Ewes housed indoors year round were treated with 40 mg of fluorogestone acetate followed by 0, 250, 500 or 750 IU pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (PMSG). PMSG did not enhance fertility, prolificacy or fecundity in ewes bred at the synchronized estrus. Key words: Sheep, PMSG, synchronization, fertility, prolificacy, fecundity

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