The influence of age at first boar contact on puberty attainment in the gilt

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Abstract
Thirty-six Large White × (Large White × Landrace) young female pigs (gilts) were allocated to one of nine treatments. These were 30 min daily boar contact from 125, 132, 139, 146, 153, 160, 167, 174 or 181 days of age. Gilts were fed so as to maintain them on a pre-determined growth curve, gaining 0·45 kg per day. Once puberty had been detected, gilts were mated at the next (second) oestrous period and subsequently slaughtered 20 days post coitum.The interval from first boar contact to puberty was significantly longer (PPdays post coitum were affected by treatment.From the results it appears that the optimal gilt age at which to commence boar contact, in terms of age at puberty, interval from first boar contact to puberty and synchronization of the pubertal oestrus, is in the age range 160 to 170 days.