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Induction of Parturition in Swine with Prostaglandin F₂^{1, 2,}

University of Missouri³, Columbia 65201

Abstract

Pregnant gilts and sows were administered prostaglandin F ₂ by intravenous infusion or by intramuscular injection in an effort to induce parturition. The average interval from the start of infusion until birth of the first pig was 28.9 ± 1.9 hr. in gilts receiving PGF₂ which occurred at a mean gestation length of 109 ± 0.03 days as compared to 78.9 ± 18.4 hr. and 111.5 ± 0.02 days, respectively, in control gilts. Plasma progesterone concentration decreased from a mean of 4.4 ng/ml at the start of PGFaa infusion to 1.3 ng/ml 10 hr. later. Control gilts had mean progesterone levels of 5.6 and 5.3 ng/ml, respectively, at the start and end of the infusion period. At parturition mean progesterone levels of PGF₂ and control gilts were similar, being 1.6 and 1.9 ng/ml for control and treated gilts, respectively. There was no apparent cause and effect relationship between elevated levels of corticoids and parturition.

After the intramuscular injection of 0, 2.5 and 5.0 mg PGF₂ parturition followed, on the average, at 85 ± 7, 29 ± 3 or 30 ± 1 hr., respectively (P< .05). The average gestation length was significantly shorter (P< .05) in treated gilts but, even so, the number of live pigs at birth and piglet survival rate were unaffected by PGF treatment.

¹ Contribution from the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. Journal Series No. 6812. Approved by the Director.

² The authors express their appreciation to Mr. Kazuo Sano, Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Osako, Japan, for providing the prostaglandin F₂ used in this study and to Mrs. Betty Nichols for secretarial assistance. Part of these results were presented at the Sixth Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction held at Athens, Georgia, August 13 to 16, 1973.

³ Department of Animal Husbandry.