Abstract
The present study was attempted to induce the parturition in swine with prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and investigated its effects on lactation and reproductive performance.
Eleven pregnant sows and gilts including Land race, Humpshire, Duroc and crossbred were injected intramuscularly with 10mg of PGF2a at 5 am on the day 110, 112, 113, and 114 of gestation (day 1=the last day of artificial insemination). Four control animals received 2ml of vehicle at the same time on the day 112 and 113.
After the treatment of PGF2α, clinical observation was incessantly maintained to record the time of initial birth, interval between piglets, total farrowing time and dystocia etc.
The mean time intervals (M±S.D.) from the injection to birth of the first piglet and total farrowing time (M±S.D.) in control and PGF2α treated animals were 58:25±17:17; 4:19±1:56 and 30:09±3:58; 4:59±4:06 hours, respectively.
Mean gestation length (days) of PGF2α treated animals was clearly shorter than that of the controls.
No significant differences between PGF2α treated and control animals were found in number and weight of live piglets at birth and weaning. Also, no harmful effects of PGF2α were noted with respect to lactation following the induced parturition.
