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Studies in sow reproduction 5. The effect of lactation length of the sow on the subsequent embryonic development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

M. A. Varley  and
D. J. A. Cole
M. A. Varley
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD
D. J. A. Cole
Affiliation:
Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, University of Nottingham School of Agriculture, Sutton Bonington, Loughborough, Leicestershire LE12 5RD
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Summary

Forty-five female pigs (sows) were allocated at random to one of three lactation lengths: 7 days, 21 days, 42 days. All sows were remated at the first post-weaning oestrus and were slaughtered at 20 days post coitum. The reproductive tracts were removed, dissected and examined. Ovulation rates as determined by luteal count were similar for all three groups, but the number of viable embryos decreased significantly (P < 0·05) from 13·0 for the 42-day lactation group to 9·2 for the 7-day lactation group. This difference was reflected in a significant (P < 0·01) reduction in the percentage embryo survival rate as lactation length was reduced. Uterine lengths for the 7-day lactation group were significantly (P < 0·05) shorter than the other two groups. Six sows in each treatment group were blood sampled: at weaning, at remating, at 2 days post-mating, at 10 days post-mating and at 20 days post-mating. The plasma samples obtained were assayed for progesterone. No differences were observed between treatment groups for plasma progesterone concentration at any of the sampling times. It is concluded that the reduction of the litter size at the next farrowing following a short lactation length is largely a result of increased embryo death in the first 20 days of gestation.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 22 , Issue 1 , February 1976 , pp. 79 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1976

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References

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