Split‐weaning Before Altrenogest Synchronization of Multiparous Sows Alters Follicular Development and Reduces Embryo Survival

Leeuwen, J.J.J. van; Verhoeven, Michiel A.; Noort, I van der Heden-van; Kranenbarg, S.; Kemp, B.; Soede, N.M.

doi:10.1111/j.1439-0531.2011.01913.x

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 19 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…The first indication for this is that sows treated with altrenogest for 8 days, which had small follicles at weaning, showed significantly higher farrowing rates than sows that had large follicles at weaning (Van Leeuwen et al 2011a). Secondly, split weaning followed by an 8-day altrenogest treatment resulted in larger follicles compared to non-split-weaned controls and also in lower embryo survival (Van Leeuwen et al 2012). In the studies of Van Leeuwen, altrenogest treatment always started the day before weaning.…”

Section: Post-weaning Altrenogest Usementioning

confidence: 99%

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Should Weaning be the Start of the Reproductive Cycle in Hyper‐prolific Sows? A Physiological View

Kemp¹,

Soede²

2012

Reprod Domestic Animals

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Contents Normally, sows are in anoestrus during lactation and start their new cycle at the day of weaning. Modern hybrid primiparous sows that suckle large numbers of piglets may lose substantial amounts of body reserves during lactation. This compromises follicle development during lactation. As modern sows have short weaning‐to‐oestrus intervals, these compromised follicles are recruited for ovulation directly after weaning, resulting in lower ovulation rates and lower embryo survival. Postponing or skipping first oestrus after weaning in primiparous sows may help to limit the negative consequences of lactation on subsequent reproduction. Multiparous sows may have very high litter sizes, especially after long lactations as applied in organic sows. These high litter sizes compromise piglet birthweight and survival and subsequent performance. Inducing lactation oestrus in multiparous sows may help to limit litter size and improve piglet survival and performance. This study discusses physiological and reproductive effects of extending the start of a new pregnancy after lactation in primiparous sows and induction of lactation oestrus in multiparous sows. We thereby challenge the view that weaning is an ideal start for the reproductive cycle in modern sows.

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Section: Post-weaning Altrenogest Usementioning

confidence: 99%

“…2011a). Secondly, split weaning followed by an 8‐day altrenogest treatment resulted in larger follicles compared to non‐split‐weaned controls and also in lower embryo survival (Van Leeuwen et al. 2012).…”

Section: Post‐weaning Altrenogest Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Should Weaning be the Start of the Reproductive Cycle in Hyper‐prolific Sows? A Physiological View

Kemp¹,

Soede²

2012

Reprod Domestic Animals

Self Cite

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Follicle size and reproductive hormone profiles during a post-weaning altrenogest treatment in primiparous sows

Leeuwen

Martens

Jourquin³

et al. 2015

Reprod. Fertil. Dev.

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This study investigated the endocrine background of follicle size changes during post-weaning altrenogest treatment. altrenogest-treated sows received a 20-mg dosage daily at 8.00 a.m. from Day -1 to Day 14 after weaning. On Day -1, only 3/13 altrenogest-treated sows showed LH pulses compared with 8/8 control sows (P=0.001). On Day 0, control sows showed a typical high frequency-low amplitude LH pattern, indicative for recruitment of oestrogenic follicles. In altrenogest-treated animals on Day 0, half of the sows showed high frequency-high amplitude pulses from 4-5h after weaning. In altrenogest-treated sows, average follicle size increased from 3.1±0.5 mm on Day 0 to 4.4±0.6mm on Day 5, then decreased to 3.7±0.5 mm on Day 7 and stabilised thereafter. FSH and oestradiol (E2) concentrations showed a distinct diurnal pattern; high at 7.00 a.m. and low at 3.00 p.m. E2 concentrations (7.00 a.m.) showed a 2.5-fold increase from Day -1 to Day 2, and subsequently a 2-fold decline to reach a plateau at Day 8. FSH concentrations reached maximum levels by Day 5 and slowly declined afterwards. In conclusion, once-daily administration of altrenogest starting one day before weaning delays the weaning-induced increase in LH pulses. Although FSH and follicle size increase until Day 5 after weaning, follicle E2 production already decreased from Day 2 after weaning. Post-weaning altrenogest treatment thus results in a follicular wave of follicles that lose oestrogenic competence at Day 2 after weaning, presumably related to the changed LH dynamics during altrenogest treatment.

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Lactation estrus induction in multi- and primiparous sows in an Australian commercial pork production system1

Terry

Kind

Lines

et al. 2014

Journal of Animal Science

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This study evaluated the effect of full physical boar exposure and split weaning on the incidence of lactation estrus within a large commercial piggery. A total of 299 multiparous (MP; parity 2.5 ± 0.03) and 303 primiparous (PP) sows of Large White × Duroc × Landrace genetics were individually housed in conventional farrowing crates from 1 wk before expected farrowing until weaning on Day 30.7 ± 0.05 postparturition. Before shed entry, sows were allocated randomly within parity to receive either boar exposure (BE; n = 454) or no BE (No BE; n = 149). Sows assigned to receive BE were then allocated to 1 of 2 litter size treatments: litter size unchanged (BE; n = 302) or BE and the litter permanently reduced (split weaned) to 7 piglets (BESPW7; n = 152) on Day 18 of lactation. From Day 18 of lactation until weaning, sows in both BE treatments were taken daily to a detection mating area where they received 15 min of full physical BE and were artificially inseminated at the first observed estrus. Providing sows with BE increased the incidence of lactation estrus, with a further increase observed when litter size was reduced to 7 piglets (16% No BE vs. 62% BE and 75% BESPW7; P < 0.05). Multiparous sows exhibited a greater incidence of lactation estrus than PP sows irrespective of treatment (81 compared to 52%, respectively; P < 0.05). Both MP and PP sows exhibited an increased incidence of lactation estrus when a portion of the litter was removed (MP: 76 vs. 89% and PP: 47 vs. 61%; P < 0.05). Farrowing rates were higher in BE MP sows mated postweaning and all BESPW7 sows mated postweaning when compared to their counterparts mated in lactation (P < 0.05). Percentage live weight loss over the course of lactation was greatest for sows in the No BE compared to the BE and BESPW7 treatments (7.7% ± 0.5 vs. 5.4% ± 0.3 and 4.5% ± 0.4, respectively; P < 0.05). Between Day 17 and weaning, piglets suckling sows in the BESPW7 treatment had a higher average weight gain than piglets suckling sows with a full litter (3.5 ± 0.06 vs. 3.1 ± 0.05 kg; P < 0.05). In conclusion these data suggest that providing MP sows with BE is effective at stimulating a synchronous lactation estrus while PP sows require, in addition to BE, a reduction in suckled litter size to 7 piglets.

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Split‐weaning Before Altrenogest Synchronization of Multiparous Sows Alters Follicular Development and Reduces Embryo Survival

Cited by 3 publications

References 19 publications

Should Weaning be the Start of the Reproductive Cycle in Hyper‐prolific Sows? A Physiological View

Should Weaning be the Start of the Reproductive Cycle in Hyper‐prolific Sows? A Physiological View

Follicle size and reproductive hormone profiles during a post-weaning altrenogest treatment in primiparous sows

Lactation estrus induction in multi- and primiparous sows in an Australian commercial pork production system1

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