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Effect of pre-mating nutritional status and post mating progesterone supplementation on early pregnancy in Large White gilts

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2017

C. J. Ashworth
C. J. Ashworth*
Affiliation:
Rowett Research Institute, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB2 9SB
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Extract

A rising plane of nutrition prior to mating increases ovulation rate in pigs (Anderson and Melampy, 1972), but this potential for increased Utter size is negated by the subsequent detrimental effect of high plane feeding on embryo survival. The mechanism underlying this effect may involve an increased rate of steroid clearance from the liver in animals on a high plane of nutrition (Symonds and Prime, 1989). The resultant lower circulating steroid levels would be expected to elevate pituitary gonadotrophin levels and consequently increase ovulation rate. However, after mating, such low steroid (particularly progesterone) concentrations may compromise embryo survival.

A further factor which may affect the ability of a gilt to carry a large number of fetuses to term is the spacing of fetuses within the uterus. Dzuik (1985) proposed that a uniform distribution of fetuses would optimise litter size, fetal growth and survival.

Type
Harmonal and Behavioural aspects of production
Information
Proceedings of the British Society of Animal Production (1972) , Volume 1990 , March 1990 , pp. 56
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Production 1990

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References

Anderson, L.L. and Melampy, R.M. (1972) Factors affecting ovulation ra“te in the pig. In “Pig Production” pp 329–366. Ed Cole, D.J.A., Butterworths, London.Google Scholar
Dzuik, P. (1985) Effect of migration, distribution and spacing of pig embryos on pregnancy and fetal survival. J. Reprod. Fert. Suppl. 33, 57–63.Google Scholar
Symonds, H.W. and Prime, G. (1989) Influence of volume of food intake on blood flow in the portal vein and the clearance of pregesterone from plasma in gilts. British Society of Animal Production Paper No.13.Google Scholar