Influence of vibration duration on the quality of boar semen doses packed in bags or tubes.

As previous data showing the negative impact of semen agitation during transport on sperm quality was obtained only in tube-type packages, this study aimed to compare two packages for boar semen dose (bag or tube) submitted to different agitation times. Ejaculates from thirty different boars were diluted in BTS extender, packed in bags or tubes in split sample, and submitted to agitation for 0, 6, or 12 h at 100 rpm at 17 ºC. Semen doses were stored for up to 168 h and evaluated for quality traits.

Sow and litter performance after cross-fostering one surplus piglet and co-mingling the litters at early lactation.

The number of piglets born alive is frequently greater than the functional teats, and some farms are equalizing litters with surplus piglets, limiting piglet udder access. Removing the barrier among farrowing crates may allow piglets to socialize and seek other sows. Thus, we evaluated the effects litter size at cross-fostering and socialization on the sow and piglet performance during lactation.

Risk factors associated with piglet pre-weaning mortality in a Midwestern U.S. swine production system from 2020 to 2022.

Piglet pre-weaning mortality (PWM) is a significant issue in the U.S. swine industry, causing economic losses and raising sustainability and animal welfare concerns.

Use of chorionic gonadotropins during lactation to optimize postpartum sow reproductive performance: a review.

Treating lactating sows with chorionic gonadotropins may allow controlling their post-weaning reproductive function, despite the occurrence of anestrous during lactation. This article reviews the potential effectiveness of treatment with both equine and human chorionic gonadotropins (eCG and hCG, respectively) during lactation on the control of estrus expression and ovulation in weaned sows. The use of 1,000 IU hCG at 24 and 48 h postpartum may induce ovulation in the treated sows, but the ovulation rate may be variable.

Prostaglandin F2α treatment does not hasten ovulation in weaned sows.

This study evaluated the efficiency of prostaglandin F2α (PGF) to hasten ovulation in weaned sows. In experiment I, weaned sows detected in estrus (0 h) received: no hormone (Control; n = 56); 0.5 mg PGF IM at 0 h and 2 h (PGF0; n = 56); or 0.