Abstract
Primiparous crossbred sows (n = 43), lactating for an average of 21.1 ± 0.1 d and weaning 8.7 ± 0.1 pigs, were used to evaluate the influence of insulin on ovulation rate and embryo survival. The sows were maintained on 2.3 kg/head/d of a 14% protein gestation diet during pregnancy, fed ad libitum during lactation, given 2.7 kg/head/d from weaning until rebreeding and fed 2.3 kg/head/d after mating. Beginning the day after weaning (Day 0) sows were treated with 0.4 IU/kg body weight (BW) insulin (n = 21) or were administered an equivalent volume of saline (n = 22) for 4 d. Beginning on Day 3 and continuing until Day 14 after weaning, the sows were checked for estrus twice daily and were artificially inseminated using pooled semen from 2 fertile boars. At slaughter (days 30 to 40 of gestation), ovaries and uteri were collected, and the ovulation rate, embryo number and viability, and uterine weight and length were evaluated and recorded. Use of insulin decreased the average interval from weaning to estrus compared with saline by increasing percentage in estrus by Day 14 after weaning (5.0 ± 0.57 vs 6.9 ± 0.56 d, respectively; P < 0.03). Ovulation rate, number of embryos, embryo survival, and average uterine length and weight were not influenced by insulin treatment. Overall, insulin affected reproductive efficiency in primiparous sows by increasing the percentage of sows in estrus.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 479-485 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Theriogenology |
| Volume | 50 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 1998 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Primiparous crossbred sows (n = 43), lactating for an average of 21.1 ± 0.1 d and weaning 8.7 ± 0.1 pigs, were used to evaluate the influence of insulin on ovulation rate and embryo survival. The sows were maintained on 2.3 kg/head/d of a 14% protein gestation diet during pregnancy, fed ad libitum during lactation, given 2.7 kg/head/d from weaning until rebreeding and fed 2.3 kg/head/d after mating. Beginning the day after weaning (Day 0) sows were treated with 0.4 IU/kg body weight (BW) insulin (n = 21) or were administered an equivalent volume of saline (n = 22) for 4 d. Beginning on Day 3 and continuing until Day 14 after weaning, the sows were checked for estrus twice dally and were artificially inseminated using pooled semen from 2 fertile boars. At slaughter (days 30 to 40 of gestation), ovaries and uteri were collected, and the ovulation rate, embryo number and viability, and uterine weight and length were evaluated and recorded. Use of insulin decreased the average interval from weaning to estrus compared with saline by increasing percentage in estrus by Day 14 after weaning (5.0 -+ 0.57 vs 6.9 ± 0.56 d, respectively; P < 0.03). Ovulation rate, number of embryos, embryo survival, and average uterine length and weight were not influenced by insulin treatment. Overall, insulin affected reproductive efficiency in primiparous sows by increasing the percentage of sows in estms. © 1998 by ElsevierS cience Inc. Key words: ovulation rate, embryo survival, weaning-to-estrus interval, insulin, primiparous sow Acknowledgments The authors thank to David B. Anderson of Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, Indiana for donation of the insulin and Brenda F. Stevens for the excellent technical support. This is journal publication number J-9248 of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station. Research was funded, in part, by a research grant from the National Pork Producers Council. 1Correspondence and reprint requests: Box 9815, Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Phone (601) 325-2802; Fax (601)325-8873
Keywords
- Embryo survival
- Insulin
- Ovulation rate
- Primiparous sow
- Weaning-to-estrus interval
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Small Animals
- Food Animals
- Animal Science and Zoology
- Equine