A note on the efficacy of continuous v. limited boar exposure on puberty attainment in the gilt

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Thirty Large White × (Landrace × Large White) gilts were allocated to one of three treatments such that one gilt from each of 10 litters was on each treatment. The treatments were: (i) continuous boar exposure (CB); (ii) 30-min daily boar exposure (DB); and (iii) control, which had no boar exposure (NB). The experiment started at a gilt age of 165 days, and continued until either puberty was detected or a cut-off age of 250 days was reached.The results indicate no significant difference in age at puberty between the CB and DB groups (194·6 v. 198·7 days), although both were significantly younger at puberty than the NB group (232·1 days, P<0·01). A possible ‘boar age’ effect is discussed.