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Bulletin No. 18 - Spring 2004
SIPASArtificial insemination
VIGO D
Aspetti innovativi nella gestione riproduttiva di un allevamento suino: la femmina - (Innovative aspects of reproductive management in swine herds: the sow)
Società Italiana di Patologia ed Allevamento dei Suini - Proceedings, 2004, 15-23
Reproduction plays a key role in the economics of pig production. Lately, the tendency was to ascribe reproductive failures to microbiological causes and pay less attention to other critical points. This paper reviews three significant "non-microbial" aspects of reproduction: the first weeks of life of gilts, estrogens and semen. Concerning gilts, a reduced protein production at post-weaning was shown which probably impairs the enzyme, receptor, hormone and immune systems. Early weaning is called into question as potentially responsible for immaturity of the gastrointestinal tract resulting in impaired nutrition and metabolism and delayed maturity of the SNC, genital apparatus and udder. So what about delaying weaning at least in replacement gilts? Furthermore, the importance of maintaining suitable blood levels of estrogens to obtain satisfying fertility and prolificacy is underlined, and the improvement of fertility in sows thanks to boar spermatozoon encapsulation (long-lasting release of spermatozoa in uterus) is mentioned.
