Induction of parturition by using a single or split-dose of PGF2alpha in sows

Induction of parturition by using prostaglandin F_2a (PGF_2a) is frequently used in swine commercial herds worldwide. In practice, different protocols have been implemented. The benefit of induction of parturition in sows in combination with farrowing supervision includes decrease the risk of stillborn piglets, decrease postpartum complications in sows and decrease the incidence of post-partum dysgalactia syndrome. However, if the induction of parturition protocol is not properly applied, unpredictable farrowing may be occurred. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of induce parturition by using a single-dose of PGF_2a or a repeated injection of PGF_2a (split-dose) on the interval from the hormone injection to farrowing.

The experiment was performed in a 1500-sow commercial swine herds in Thailand. In total, 91 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred sows were included in the experiment. The animals were randomly assigned into one of three treatment groups: control, single-dose and split-dose of PGF_2a. The hormone was administrate in the intra-vulvo-submucosa route by using a synthetic analog of PGF_2a (0.087 mg Cloprostenol Sodium, 1 mL Planate®; MSD Animal Health, USA). In the treatment groups, PGF_2a was administered at 8:00 AM on day 114 of gestation (single-dose) or at 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM on day 114 of gestation (split-dose). In the control group, sows were allowed to farrow naturally. The onset of farrowing was monitored 24 h and the duration of farrowing was also recorded. The time interval from PGF_2a to farrowing was calculated and presented as frequency distribution.

The percentage of stillborn piglets (2.9% versus 5.6% and 6.7%) and the incidence of dystocia (27% versus 54% and 42%) in the sows induced parturition by using split-dose of PGF2a tended to be lower than single-dose and control groups, respectively. Of the sows induced parturition by using splitdose of PGF2, 43.5% and 56.0% farrowed within 8-22 h and 23-33 h after the first PGF_2a administration, respectively. Of the sows induced parturition by using a single-dose of PGF_2a, 28.1%, 62.5%, 3.1% and 6.3% farrowed within 8-22 h, 23-33 h, 34-46 h and > 47 h, respectively. In the control group, 15.4%, 7.7%. 23.1% and 30.8% of the sows farrowed within 8-22 h, 23-33 h, 34-46 h and > 47 h after the onset of treatment, respectively. Split–dose of PGF_2a reduced the variation of farrowing time compared to the single-dose and control groups.

Farrowing induction at 114 days gestation by using split-dose of PGF_2a improve the efficacy of farrowing management by reducing variability of the farrowing times.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared.