Effect of a GnRH analogue (peforelin) on the litter performance of gilts and sows.

de Jong, Ellen; Jourquin, Jan; Kauffold, Johannes; Sarrazin, Steven; Dewulf, Jeroen; Maes, Dominiek

de Jong, Ellen; Jourquin, Jan; Kauffold, Johannes; Sarrazin, Steven; Dewulf, Jeroen; Maes, Dominiek.

Affiliation

de Jong E; Department of Reproduction Obstetrics and Herd Health, Unit Porcine Health Management, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Jourquin J; Present address: Flemish Animal Health Service (Dierengezondheidszorg Vlaanderen), Industrielaan 29, B-8820 Torhout, Belgium.
Kauffold J; Elanco, S.A. Eli Lilly Benelux N.V., Stoofstraat 52, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium.
Sarrazin S; Large Animal Clinic for Theriogenology and Ambulatory Services, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Dewulf J; Department of Reproduction Obstetrics and Herd Health, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
Maes D; Department of Reproduction Obstetrics and Herd Health, Veterinary Epidemiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ghent, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.

Porcine Health Manag ; 3: 6, 2017.

Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28405462

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Maintaining optimal reproductive and litter performance is essential for meeting economic targets in commercial pig production. Treatment with exogenous gonadotropins in sows after weaning or in gilts after altrenogest treatment has been used to stimulate follicular development leading to more piglets born and eventually higher birth weights. The effect of peforelin on litter performance was investigated in 212 gilts, primi- and pluriparous sows in three herds. Animals were randomly allocated to three treatments 24 h after weaning peforelin (P group), eCG (E group), and physiological saline solution (C group). Numbers of total, liveborn and stillborn piglets and mortality rate during lactation were recorded. Birth weights and coefficient of variation in weights within litter were assessed. All parameters were compared among treatments.

RESULTS:

Over all parities, no difference was found among treatments in litter size nor mortality rate, but birth weights were significantly lower in the E group. Stillbirth numbers in pluriparous sows were 2.2, 0.9 and 1.4 for P, E and C groups, respectively (p = 0.04). Piglets in the P group had significantly higher live born birth weights in gilts, compared to the E group (1.36, 1.26, 1.32 kg (p < 0.02) for P, E and C group, respectively). No significant differences were found for the other investigated parameters.