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Induction of Fertile Estrus in Prepuberal Gilts by Treatment with a Combination of Pregnant Mare's Serum Gonadotropin and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin¹

North Carolina State University, Raleigh 27695-7621, University of Missouri, Columbia 65111, Illinois State University, Normal 61761 and Intervet America, Inc., Millsboro, DE 19966

Abstract

Ten trials involving 678 presumed prepuberal gilts (5.5 to 7.5 mo old) were conducted in North Carolina, Illinois and Missouri to evaluate the reproductive performance of gilts given a combination of 400 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and 200 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (P. G. 600®). Gilts that were presumed to be prepuberal received P. G. 600 or no treatment (control) on the day of movement from finishing facilities to pens for breeding. Detection of estrus, with the aid of mature boars, was conducted daily for 28 d; gilts in estrus were mated naturally. Treatment with P. G. 600 increased the percentage in estrus within 7 (57.5 vs 40.9%) or 28 d (72.9 vs 59.5%); average interval to estrus was reduced (P < .05) from 10.4 to 7.5 d. Farrowing rate (78.5 ± 3.1%), number of pigs born alive (8.6 ± .2) or dead (.26 ± .06) and number of pigs weaned (8.0 ± .2) were unaffected by treatment. Gilts that were heavier than the median for each farm were in heat sooner and more were detected in heat, but no other reproductive traits differed between heavy and light gilts. Overall, the results reveal that P. G. 600 was useful for induction of fertile estrus in prepuberal gilts.

¹ Paper No. 11661 of the Journal Series of the North Carolina ARS, Raleigh 27695-7643. The use of trade names in this publication does not imply endorsement by the North Carolina ARS or criticism of similar ones not mentioned. The gonadotropin combination marketed as P. G. 600® is a registered trademark of Intervet America, Inc. Appreciation is expressed to Lynn Butler and Doug Hutchins for their assistance in collecting data.

² Dept. of Anim. Sci., North Carolina State Univ., to whom reprint requests should be sent.

³ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Missouri.

⁴ Dept. of Anim. Sci., Illinois State Univ.

⁵ Intervet America, Inc.