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Comparison of two methods for evaluating reproductive development in prepubertal gilts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

S. G. Deligeorgis
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
P. R. English
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
G. A. Lodge
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
G. R. Foxcroft
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Aberdeen, 581 King Street, Aberdeen AB9 1UD
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Abstract

Twenty-one pairs of litter sister gilts of similar live weight were selected at 150 days of age and one member of each pair was allocated randomly to the following treatments at approximately 170 days (80 kg live weight): 1. stimulation by mature boar; or 2. an intramuscular injection of oestradiol benzoate. The two groups were fed to appetite and slaughtered at approximately 180 days of age. Examination at slaughter indicated greater ovarian and uterine development in response to oestradiol relative to boar treatment (P < 0·01). The results indicate that oestradiol treatment of gilts followed by post-slaughter examination of the reproductive tract is a sensitive method for evaluating the effects of prior treatments on reproductive development. Significant family and pre-weaning growth effects on reproductive development were also evident on both evaluation methods.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1984

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