Swine Repro Flashcards
Describe the basic anatomy of the swine repro tract
-the uterine body is relatively short
-uterine horn: non gravid horn is 1 meter in length, may double in length during pregnancy
-cervix is up to 25 cm in length
-long vaginal vault
T/F: it is common for the prolific females to have a ton of follicles
True
- can have 14-16 on each ovary on occasion
-good for production, but sows don’t have enough teats
Describe the basic physiology of the female pig estrous cycle
-HPG axis is similar to other domestic species
-females still develop surge center and males a tonic center
-one follicular wave per cycle
-18-24 days average length
-follicles produce estrogen leading to estrous behavior
-gilt estrus is 36-48 h, sows 48-72 h
-ovulation occurs 2/3 of the way through estrus (36 h average)
-ovulation occurs 24 hours after LH peak
-multiple follicles rupture over a 1-4 hr period
T/F: you can short cycle pigs with prostaglandin
False- not effective until after day 12-13
- by this time they are already close to ovulation
-can be used for abortions
What are some of the main signs of estrus in sows?
-vulva swelling and redness, vaginal discharge (white and chalky), restlessness and vocalization, increased motor activity (seeking out boar)
-actively seeking boar, pricking of ears, lordosis response
Will sows that come into heat early stay in shorter or longer?
Longer
What are the main factors that influence ovulation rate?
-Age: sows usually have 18-20 ova vs gilts usually have 12-14
-nutrition: higher in full fed gilts, flushing may increase ovulation rate
-breed: white or maternal breeds have higher ovulation rates
Describe ovulation in pigs
-occurs about 42 hours? after LH surge
-all of the follicles from both ovaries will ovulate over a short period of time
-timing of the ovulation can vary between females
-the life span of the egg is 8-12 h
Are pigs CL or placental dependent?
CL
-cant short cycle them as CLs not responsive until 2 weeks
Describe maternal recognition of pregnancy in pigs
-an estrogen compound causes it
-if no MRP, prostaglandin is release
-if MRP occurs, estradiol causes intraluminal PGF2 alpha release (so it doesnt get to ovaries) and prevents luteolysis
-MRP requires 4 embryos to be present, 2 in each horn
How can you select females sows for breeding?
- good number of teats and conformation
-good immunity
-good feet and legs
-good maternal qualities
What are some things to consider when helping a producer decide on purchasing?
Depends on individual operation goals
-are you raising your own gilts or purchasing? are you buying piglets? will you start with gilt purchase? are you buying a bred female or prebreeding?
What are some main considerations when selecting gitls
-selection based on various characteristics: feet and leg soundness, breed/genetics (litter size, etc), underline and vulva size, growth parameters- fast or slow growing, age at puberty and breeding
-todays gilts grow faster, reach puberty at heavier weights, and are mated leaner and at younger ages
-selection based on performance testing methods can help determine the most productive females
-selecting for leaner animals can at many times adversely affect repro
What lean growth traits should you select for?
- must look at boar
-look at backfat thickness, feed intake, feed efficiency, days to market
-Hampshire’s and durocs, some patrons are known to be very muscled -aim for heterozygotes
What maternal traits should you consider when selecting?
-number born alive, number weaned, 21 day litter weight
Why do we want white pigs?
We like uniformity
-often breed to F1 females to select for this
T/F: you should use purebred grandparent stock to make F1 females
True
Describe the selection criteria for the musculoskeletal system and repro system
-for the musculoskeletal system, assess conformation and structure, feet and legs. pay attention to all of the joint angles as it is important that animals can do well on concrete
-for repro system: assess when they meet puberty, external genitalia and underlines. look for well developed normal sized vulva, smaller better for avoiding injuries
What specific things should you look for when looking at toes?
-examine size
-unevenness of toes can cause problems as well as injuries
-small toes, especially if close together can create soundness problems
-look for cracks, abrasions and/or swellings
What should you look for in terms of teat assessment?
-good spacing, 6-8 functional teats per side, no inverted or underdeveloped teats
When should gilts come into estrus?
-between 5-8 months when they weigh 100-125 kg
-landrace at 173 days of age, crossbreds reach puberty earlier than purebreds, durocs are latest to reach puberty (224 days)
Describe the lactational anestrus that sows exhibit
-suckling stimulus suppresses FSH and LH secretion leading to no follicular development
-removing all piglets removes suppression and sows enter estrus 4-7 days postweaning (can be influenced by genetics, nutrition, parity, litter size, BCS, and lactation length)
-allows for estrus detection and planning
What is the problem with delayed estrus postweaning?
-increases non productive sow days and maintenance costs
What is the target weight for breeding gilts?
-200 lb with at least 1 recorded estrus
-try not to have overweight at breeding or gestation as this can increase culling rate
What are sows generally fed?
-5 lbs corn-soybean meal diet per day for maintenance
-lactating sows may eat >14-15 lb/day
-be sure they dont get too fat!
Describe the normal prebreeding vaccination program?
Parvo, lepto, and erysipelas vaccine
-should be administered 3-5 weeks apart with the last one being 2 weeks prior to breeding
-if not vaccinated previously, only 2 weeks prior for sows
Describe some breeding targets in the swine industry
2.2-2.5 litters/sow/year, >19 pigs weaned/mated female/year, 21 day litter weight >120 lb, farrowing rate >85%, >10 piglets born alive, NPS days <60 and WEI <7 days
What are some methods of estrus detection that do not require humans to watch?
-boar bot, breeding saddles
Describe synchronization protocols in cycling females
-gilts and some sows: altrenogest 15 mg orally for 14 days
-weaned sows: triptorelin 200 mg intravaginal 4 days post weaning, breed on day 5
Describe the AM/PM rule for breeding
-If a gilt is in estrus in the AM, breed, then again in PM and then again 12 hours later
-sows: when you find in estrus, breed then breed again 24 hours later
Describe how you perform AI in pigs
-introduce rod at 45 degree angle
-on gilts they have ones that spiral, in sows they have spongey ones
How long is the boar orgasm?
3-5 minutes
Are BSEs routinely performed in boars?
NO
-there is a manual for it however
Why do people like hereford breed of pigs?
Novelty, do well on pasture
How are boars selected?
-for growth traits primarily
-can pass on maternal traits too
-if show pigs, they want big butts
-depends on breeding system: boar breeding, AI
-select for carcass yield, quality, feed efficiency, rate of gain, overall productivity of the herd
Why are boars castrated?
Boar taint is real