Swine Pregnancy, Parturition and Infertility Flashcards
What is the gestation length of pigs?
114 +/- 2 days
What type of placenta do pigs have?
Epitheliochorial Diffuse
When does the embryo enter the uterus?
48-60 hours
When does maternal recognition of pregnancy usually occur?
11-12 days
There is intrauterine migration until what days?
13-14 days
When does embryo attachment usually occur?
14-18 days
Implantation of the embryo usually is completed by what day?
Day 40
A minimum of how many embryos is needed by what day in order to maintain the pregnancy?
- 4 embryos
- Day 11
Embryonic loss before what day is high?
What is the percentage?
- Prior to day 25
- 40%
If a sow is not bred, she will return to estrus in what time frame?
17-24 days after breeding
Many false positives can occur with what method of pregnancy diagnosis?
Detection of estrus (return to service)
How are PGF2a concentrations used to diagnose pregnancy?
What time frame is this evaluated?
- Less than 200 pg/mL
- Between 13 and 15 days after mating
A progesterone level greater than what might indicate pregnancy?
During what time frame is this evaluated?
- Greater than 5 ng/mL
- Between 17-24 days
Progesterone levels can give false positives due to what?
Due to delayed estrus or cystic ovarian disease.
Estrone sulphate greater than what level can indicate pregnancy?
During what time frame is this evaluated?
- Greater than 0.5 ng/mL
- Days 25-30 gestation
When do early pregnancy Factor B levels peak?
24-48 hours after fertilization
What test is used to detect early pregnancy Factor B levels?
Rosette Inhibition Test
What are 5 methods of physical pregnancy detection in pigs?
- Radiography
- Rectal palpation
- Laparoscopy
- Vaginal biopsy
- US
What are 3 options for US use in pigs?
- Doppler US
- Amplitude Depth US (A-mode or Pulse echo)
- Real Time US
When can skeletal mineralization be detected via US?
By Day 35
When are fetuses immunocompetent by?
Day 70-75
A fetal crown-rump length of 1.8-2.8 cm is indicative of what fetal age?
30 days
A fetal crown-rump length of 12-14 cm is indicative of what fetal age?
60 days
A fetal crown-rump length of 20-23 cm is indicative of what fetal age?
90 days
A fetal crown-rump length of 26-29 cm indicative of what fetal age?
114 days
What are 3 clinical signs that sows can show as they are nearing parturition?
- Become restless
- Nest building
- Frequent urination/defecation
What is the normal total duration for farrowing?
1 to 5 hours
Duration of more that how many minutes between piglets means trouble?
More than 15 minutes
T/F: Piglets can only be successfully delivered in cranial presentation.
False: Piglets can be delivered in either cranial or caudal presentation.
What are 5 benefits to induced parturition in pigs?
- Farrowing during working hours
- Induction of entire room to ensure all-in/all-out management
- Cross-fostering piglets between litters
- Piglet size will be more uniform for nursery
- Overall improved labor efficiency, piglet survival and facility utilization
When are prostaglandins given to induce parturition in pigs?
Which 2 are used?
- Administer day 112-113 of gestation
- Lutalyse and Estimate (closprostanol)
How soon after prostaglandins are administered will farrowing occur?
Farrowing will happen in 18-36 hours
Are corticosteroids recommended for use with induction of parturition in pigs?
Why?
- No
- Too much lag and poor piglet survival if given too early
What is the most common cause of dystocia in pigs?
Uterine inertia
What are 3 steps to diagnosing a dystocia in a pig?
- Obtain good history and examine female
- Clean vulva and perform vaginal exam (use lubrication)
- Determine cause of dystocia
What are 3 possible medical therapies that can be utilized for dystocia in pigs?
- Manual extraction fo piglets after manipulation
- Oxytocin 20-30 IU IM every 30 minutes
- Calcium
When should Oxytocin NOT be used as a medical therapy for dystocia in pigs?
DO NOT use if there is an OBSTRUCTION!
What type of an incision pattern is used for a cesarean section in pigs?
- Vertical incision in left flank.
- Horizontal incision parallel to underline.
T/F: With a cesarean section in pigs, it will likely be necessary to incise both uterine horns.
True
When performing a cesarean section in pigs, be sure you reach what structures in order to ensure that you have all piglets?
Both ovaries
What type of suture pattern should be used to close the uterus after a cesarean section in pigs?
Inverting pattern
What are 5 possible complications that can be seen during parturition in pigs?
- Prepartum vaginal prolapse
- Uterine prolapse
- Bladder prolapse
- Vulvar hematomas/tears
- Vaginal discharge/metritis
How can a prepartum vaginal prolapse be repaired in pigs?
What is the likelihood of reoccurrence?
- Repair with a suture after placing back in
- Most likely will recur
What type of a prognosis does a uterine prolapse have?
Grave
When can uterine prolapse occur in pigs?
Postpartum or intrapartum
What needs to happen if the uterus is necrotic or torn with a uterine prolapse?
Amputation
What should be done for a vulvar hematoma/tear?
Monitor and treat for infections.
Don’t confuse what for vaginal discharge/metritis?
Normal loch 1-5 days postpartum
Vaginal discharge/metritis can be seen with what complex?
Mastitis-Metritis-Agalactia complex
Supervised farrowing can decrease mortality by what rate?
5-10%
Cross-fostering needs to take place within what time frame?
24-48 hours postpartum
When should females be vaccinated?
Vaccinate females pre-farrowing
How should pregnant females be fed?
According to BCS
What should be done to gilts that savage their piglets?
Cull the gilts
Generally how many embryos suffer early embryonic death (EED) prior to implantation?
2-2.5 embryos
Resorption of the embryo can happen during what time frame?
Day 0-35
Mummification can happen during what time frame?
35-114 days
If the entire litter is mummified, what can happen?
Pregnancy can progress to pseudopregnancy greater than 114 days.
Full-term piglets that are born dead but are grossly normal are called what?
Stillbirths
Stillbirths can die when?
May die shortly before, during or immediately after birth.
What is extremely important when diagnosing infertility?
Complete history and physical exam
What are 3 factors to be considered when trying to determine the cause of infertility?
- Determine time frame of infertility
- Non-infectious causes
- Infectious causes
Can fever cause abortion in pigs?
Yes
What are 2 of the most common examples of non-infectious causes of infertility in pigs?
- Hydrosalpinx
- Cystic ovarian disease
What is the most common cause of infertility in pigs?
Hydrosalpinx
Hydrosalpinx can be seen secondary to what conditions?
Bursitis or peritonitis that result in adhesions.
What is the second most common cause of infertility in pigs?
Cystic ovarian disease
Is it more common to see one or multiple cysts with cystic ovarian disease?
Multiple cysts
What percentage of infertile sows have cystic ovarian disease?
20-50%
Do sows with cystic ovarian disease respond to hormone therapy?
No
What is a possible etiology of cystic ovarian disease?
Can be caused by estrus induction agents.
What are 3 other possible causes of non-infectious causes of infertility in pigs?
- Anatomical or congenital abnormalities
- Environmental causes
- Nutritional causes
What are 4 examples of anatomical or congenital abnormalities can can lead to infertility?
- Segmental aplasia
- Uterus unicornum
- Missing cervix
- Hermaphrodites
What is an example of an environmental cause of non-infectious infertility?
High ambient temperature
What are 3 possible causes of infertility through direct disruption of spermatogenesis via localization within the parenchyma in the boar?
- Brucella
- Chlamydia
- Rubulavirus
What can cause indirect disrupt of spermatogenesis leading to infertility?
Fever
What are 5 infectious agents that can be shed in semen and cause disease in females?
- Classic swine fever
- Leptospira
- Pseudorabies virus
- Parvovirus
- PRRS virus
What are 3 bacterial causes of infertility in sows?
- Leptospira
- Brucella
- Erysipelas