Swine Medicine: Farrowing/ Reproduction Management

Question 1

Operation production phases

Answer 1

breeding
gestation
farrowing
nursery
growing-finishing
replacement breeding stock

Question 2

gilt puberty + induction

Answer 2

5-8mo
penned with 6-12 gilts
reduced via boar (10-11mo+) exposure at 150-170d

PG600 induction at > 5.5mo

Question 3

pig estrus cycle

Answer 3

~21d
2-3d behavioral estrus, ovulation 35-48hrs after onset
CL sensitive 12-13d post ovulation

Question 4

lactational anestrus

Answer 4

LH suppression related to suckling

3-7d post weaning

Question 5

wean-to-estrus interval factors

Answer 5

wean at 21-28d
group weaning all in-all out
expose to boar 3-4d post weaning

large litters high energy demand can lengthen
small litters (<6) can shorten. luteal phase at weaning

Question 6

PG600 effect on gilt and sows

Answer 6

gilts: induce puberty if >185lb & >5.5mo
sows: increase return to estrus 7d post weaning
- synthetic progestrin for 14d, estrus 4-20d after withdrawl

Question 7

Artificial insemination protocol

Answer 7

24hrs before and not 4hrs after ovulation
AI q12-24hrs during estrus
fresh semen with extender. large volume, dilute sample

Question 8

Pregnancy diagnosis and gestation

Answer 8

diagnosis:
failure to return to estrus 17-24d
amniotic vesicle @ 18-19d
embryos visual @ 21d

gestation length: 114 +/- 2d

Question 9

Parturition

Answer 9

induction:
PGF-2alpha after 110d gestation
farrowing begins in 20-36hrs

farrowing:
1-5hrs total. piglets q15min

Question 10

dystocia causes

Answer 10

uterine inertia
fetal-maternal mismatch
fat deposition in birth canal
persistant hymen
abnormal piglet posture/ presentation
full bladder
excessive material in colon

Question 11

dystocia interventions

Answer 11

correct obstruction
if no obstruction:
10-20 IU oxytocin q30min
cesarean not typically performed (typically congenital sow issue, will have future problems)

Question 12

common causes of neonatal mortality

Answer 12

crushing/ trauma
starvation
chilling
diarrhea

Question 13

non infectious causes of decreased reproductive performance

Answer 13

anatomic abnormalities
seasonal reduced fertility
ovarian cyst
trauma
musculoskeletal
nutrition
toxins (esp. mycotoxins)