Effect of PGF2α on Sow and Litter Performance during and following Parturition

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Abstract
Three experiments were conducted to determine the performance of the sow and litter after induction of parturition by PGF2α. Forty-eight pregnant crossbred gilts were assigned to one of three treatments: 0, 5, or 10 mg of PGF2α during two successive farrowings. Intramuscular injections of PGF2α (THAM salt or free acid) were given on day 111 of gestation (day 0 = first day of estrus) during two successive farrowings. Constant observation was maintained to record the interval from injection until birth of the first pig, interval between births, total farrowing time, occurrence of stillbirths and mummified fetuses. The mean interval (hr) from injection until birth of the first pig and the total time required for farrowing (hr) for gilts receiving 0, 5, or 10 mg PGF2α THAM salt were, respectively: 105 ± 7.5, 4.4 + 7.7, 82 ± 14, 4.1 ± .6, 90.8 ± 15.5, 3.0 ± .8. The same intervals for gilts receiving the free acid form of PGF2α were, respectively: 75.2 ± 9.5, 4.3 ± .7, 51.9 ± 8.3, 3.4 ± .5, 65.8 ± 11.4, 3.8 ± 1 for the 0, 5, and 10 mg treatments. No significant differences between treatments were found due to either form of PGF2α. Rectal temperatures 30 min after injection likewise were not significantly influenced by PGF2α. Temperature increase was greatest, although not significant (P>.10) in gilts receiving 10 mg PGF2α regardless of formulation. Difficulty during parturition was encountered across all treatments. For both acid and tham salt forms of PGF2α the percentage of gilts experiencing problems for 0, 5, and 10 mg treatments was, respectively: 15.4, 18.8, 12.5; 18.8, 12.5, 18.8. The number of live pigs at birth, birth weight, survival, and weight at weaning was not affected by PGF2α. In addition, of the sows retained for rebreeding which returned to estrus, all but one control and two receiving 5 mg PGF2α returned to estrus within 7 days following weaning. In a third experiment, 24 pregnant crossbred gilts were assigned to treatments in a 2 X 2 factorial design. This study evaluated the effect of volume of diluent (1 or 3 ml) and a single dose of 10 mg PGF2α vs two injections of 5 mg PGF2α, 12 hr apart, on the occurrence of induced parturition. No significant treatment effects were noted. The rate of parturition induction was low. No obvious detrimental effects due to PGF2α were observed.

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