Farrowing response and piglet viability following Cloprostenol-induced farrowing in Duroc sows with prolonged gestation

Abstract

A trial was carried out to assess the effect of controlled induction of farrowing on sow performance and piglet viability in sows with prolonged gestation. Thirty healthy pregnant Duroc sows were randomly assigned into two groups balanced across the treatment for parity and day of gestation. Group I (n = 13) received a single intramuscular dose of prostaglandin analogue (2 ml Cyclix® containing 263 µg/ml Cloprostenol) on day 114 of gestation. Sows in the Group II (n = 17) were allowed to farrow naturally and kept as control group. Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.01) on litter size and weight at weaning. Significantly higher litter weight at birth was also observed in Group I (9.8 vs 5.04 kg; P < 0.01). Parturition loss was comparatively lesser in induced farrowing and a relatively higher percentage of piglet survivability was observed in Group I (90.2% vs 80.0%). Treatment effects were significant (P < 0.05) on incidence of stillbirth (8.0% vs 24.4% in Group I and II, respectively). Relatively higher number of animals farrowed during daytime (53.85%) in Group I as compared to Group II (29.41%). In prolonged gestational cases, induction of farrowing can be a useful managerial tool for improving the piglet survival and facilitating greater supervision of farrowing.