PSV-6 Effect of Farrowing Induction on the Farrowing Process and Piglet Survivability

Abstract

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the effect of farrowing induction on the farrowing process and piglet livability on a commercial sow farm. Sows (n=594) were blocked by parity (P0, P1, or P2+) and randomly allotted to one of three treatment groups; no induction (CON), or 1cc prostaglandin the morning of d115 followed by either 1cc prostaglandin 6 hours later (LUT) or 0.25cc oxytocin 6 hours later (LO). Sows that farrowed within 6 hours of their initial prostaglandin remained on the study as a separate treatment group (LUT1). Sows that did not farrow by d117 were induced and removed from study. A total of 279 farrowings, resulting in 3,996 piglets born, were attended and details of the farrowing process recorded. During farrowing a 5ml colostrum sample was collected for evaluation of total protein and fat. Sows were followed after weaning and subsequent reproductive performance was recorded. As expected, LUT1 farrowing date was earlier than the other three treatments (P< 0.0001). Farrowing duration was not different among treatments (P=0.2986, average 3.5–3.9 hours). Farrowing induction did not affect NBA (P=0.124), total born (P=0.187), percent mummies (P=0.925), or percent stillborns (P=0.687). Individual piglet birth weights were lower in LUT1 when compared to CON, LUT and LO (3.00 vs 3.07, 3.09 and 3.12 lbs, P=0.011). The number of piglets requiring assistance during farrowing was greater for LUT and LUT1 (21% and 21.3%) compared to CON and LO (15.1% and 17.5%, P=0.003). The number of piglets born with broken umbilical cords was higher in LUT (39.6%) compared to all other treatments (CON=33.3%, LO=33.5%, LUT1=32.8%, P=0.002). Pre-weaning survivability was not different among treatments (CON=82.3%, LUT=80.7%, LO=81.4%, LUT1=81.6%, P=0.738). Colostrum from CON tended to have higher fat compared to LUT, LO and LUT1 (9.2 vs 8.3, 8.1 and 8.6%, P=0.0168). No differences in wean-to-first service, total born, percent stillborns, or percent mummies were found in subsequent farrowings.