The effects of induction of parturition in sows using an analogue of prostaglandin F2α

Abstract

SummaryA total of 124 pregnant multiparous sows were allocated to either control or treated groups. The treated sows were given 175 μg of an analogue of prostaglandin F2α (I.C.I. Ltd compound no. 80996) on day 113 of gestation. Gestation lengths for the control and treated groups were 116·3 ± 1·44 and 114·0 ± 0·31 days respectively. Two thirds of the treated sows farrowed between 24 and 32 h following administration of the drug. The number of live and stillborn pigs per litter did not differ between the two groups but birth weights were significantly higher in natural than in induced farrowing litters (1·36 v. 1·26 kg). Piglet mortality up to 10 days of age was significantly less in control litters (0·74 v. 1·61). The subsequent reproduction of sows was not affected by treatment with the prostaglandin analogue