Atualizações na avaliação andrológica em suínos / Updates in breeding soundness evaluation in swine

O exame andrológico é uma ferramenta importante para o manejo reprodutivo do rebanho, uma vez que compreende etapas como, anamnese, exame clínico geral e dos órgãos genitais, avaliação do comportamento sexual, além da avaliação da produção, motilidade e morfologia espermática. Apesar de apresentar uma estrutura simples, o exame andrológico deve ser bem executado em cada uma de suas etapas, pois por meio desse procedimento é possível identificar precocemente e remover do rebanho machos inaptos à reprodução. Sendo assim, é fundamental ter conhecimento sobre as características anatômicas e fisiológicas básicas da espécie, e sobre os avanços obtidos em andrologia suína nos últimos anos para realizar adequadamente o exame e, consequentemente, beneficiar toda a cadeia produtiva de suínos.(AU)

Breeding soundness evaluation is a valuable tool for herd management, since the exam includes anamnesis, general and physical exams, boar sexual behavior, and the traditional exams such as sperm production, sperm motility and sperm morphology evaluations. Regardless of its easy execution, examinations must be well performed, considering every step, since this procedure allows the early identification of boars unsuitable for reproduction and their removal from a herd. Thus, it is essential to know about anatomic and physiologic aspects of this species and the updates in swine breeding soundness over the last years, in order to perform this exam properly and, consequently, bringing benefits for whole swine production.(AU)

Atualizações na avaliação andrológica em suínos / Updates in breeding soundness evaluation in swine

O exame andrológico é uma ferramenta importante para o manejo reprodutivo do rebanho, uma vez que compreende etapas como, anamnese, exame clínico geral e dos órgãos genitais, avaliação do comportamento sexual, além da avaliação da produção, motilidade e morfologia espermática. Apesar de apresentar uma estrutura simples, o exame andrológico deve ser bem executado em cada uma de suas etapas, pois por meio desse procedimento é possível identificar precocemente e remover do rebanho machos inaptos à reprodução. Sendo assim, é fundamental ter conhecimento sobre as características anatômicas e fisiológicas básicas da espécie, e sobre os avanços obtidos em andrologia suína nos últimos anos para realizar adequadamente o exame e, consequentemente, beneficiar toda a cadeia produtiva de suínos.

Breeding soundness evaluation is a valuable tool for herd management, since the exam includes anamnesis, general and physical exams, boar sexual behavior, and the traditional exams such as sperm production, sperm motility and sperm morphology evaluations. Regardless of its easy execution, examinations must be well performed, considering every step, since this procedure allows the early identification of boars unsuitable for reproduction and their removal from a herd. Thus, it is essential to know about anatomic and physiologic aspects of this species and the updates in swine breeding soundness over the last years, in order to perform this exam properly and, consequently, bringing benefits for whole swine production.

Proposal of equations for predicting post-farrowing sow weigh

Background: Body condition score is used widely in swine production to ensure adequate nutritional levels in sows during gestation and lactation. However, body condition score is not a gold standard for the estimation of nutritional requirements in sows. Post-farrowing sow body weight assessment might serve as a useful approach for the better adjustment of the nutritional requirements during lactation; however, this approach is time-consuming, requires labor, and might result in detrimental effects on the sow behavior and welfare. The objective of the present study, therefore, was to formulate prediction equations for the estimation of post-farrowing sow weight.Materials, Methods & Results: Seven equations were formulated for predicting the post-farrowing sow body weight, by using the data from three databases, which comprised a total 522 sows (434 gilts and 88 multiparous). The sows were weighed on Day 112 of gestation and after farrowing within 12 h. The piglets birth weight was recorded within 24 h after farrowing. The equations were formulated considering all the parity orders. While formulating the equations, the following five variables were used: pre-farrowing body weight, piglets born, litter weight, the interval between pre-farrowing weighing and farrowing (in days), and the total feed intake between pre-farrowing and post-farrowing weighing. The seven models were compared using the sets of possible predictors through regression with the best subsets procedure (Minitab for Windows, v. 18). Equations (EQ) 1, 2, and 4 were validated with a database comprising 732 sows (parity orders: 1-5). The females were weighed on Day 107 of gestation and within 24 h after farrowing. The predicted weights estimated by EQ 2 and 4 (215.4 ± 34.3 kg and 216.7 ± 34.4 kg, respectively) did not significantly differ from the observed weight (216.8 ± 34.6 kg) [P > 0.05].[...]

Proposal of equations for predicting post-farrowing sow weigh

Background: Body condition score is used widely in swine production to ensure adequate nutritional levels in sows during gestation and lactation. However, body condition score is not a gold standard for the estimation of nutritional requirements in sows. Post-farrowing sow body weight assessment might serve as a useful approach for the better adjustment of the nutritional requirements during lactation; however, this approach is time-consuming, requires labor, and might result in detrimental effects on the sow behavior and welfare. The objective of the present study, therefore, was to formulate prediction equations for the estimation of post-farrowing sow weight.Materials, Methods & Results: Seven equations were formulated for predicting the post-farrowing sow body weight, by using the data from three databases, which comprised a total 522 sows (434 gilts and 88 multiparous). The sows were weighed on Day 112 of gestation and after farrowing within 12 h. The piglets birth weight was recorded within 24 h after farrowing. The equations were formulated considering all the parity orders. While formulating the equations, the following five variables were used: pre-farrowing body weight, piglets born, litter weight, the interval between pre-farrowing weighing and farrowing (in days), and the total feed intake between pre-farrowing and post-farrowing weighing. The seven models were compared using the sets of possible predictors through regression with the best subsets procedure (Minitab for Windows, v. 18). Equations (EQ) 1, 2, and 4 were validated with a database comprising 732 sows (parity orders: 1-5). The females were weighed on Day 107 of gestation and within 24 h after farrowing. The predicted weights estimated by EQ 2 and 4 (215.4 ± 34.3 kg and 216.7 ± 34.4 kg, respectively) did not significantly differ from the observed weight (216.8 ± 34.6 kg) [P > 0.05].[...](AU)