A DEFRA funded study has recently been highlighted in the Veterinary Record Issue of 4th October 2003. This follows concerns of pig veterinary consultants that last Autumn there was a rise in pig infertility, more severe than the usual expected seasonal infertility, which could not be explained by standard investigations.

A preliminary survey of pig vets in the UK was carried out in early Spring and results of this showed that, if a new syndrome existed, it was more likely to be in England/Wales, but not in Scotland or Northern Ireland.

The recently advertised study, a collaboration between the Veterinary Laboratories Agency and Royal Veterinary College, will involve twenty farms being nominated by their veterinary surgeon as fulfilling certain criteria which are detailed in the Veterinary record. The farms will be visited by their own vet who will fill out a questionnaire and take blood samples to test for infectious diseases.

Breeders who feel they have a significant (15%) reduction in infertility should contact their veterinary surgeon, who can then determine if they fulfil criteria for inclusion in this study.

Source: Veterinary Laboratories Agency - 13th October 2003