Repro dz pigs

What is the target farrowing rate for sows?

88%.

Define farrowing index.

Number of litters a sow has in a year, with a target of 2.35.

What is the average length of the lactation cycle?

26 days.

What is the standard gestation length for pigs?

3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days.

How long should oral progesterone be administered to synchronize oestrus?

18 days.

What happens after stopping oral progesterone?

Oestrus occurs in 5 days.

What should you do with the diet in the last 3 weeks of gestation?

Increase diet.

What diet change should be made upon entry to farrowing accommodation?

Decrease diet to prevent udder engorgement/oedema.

How should diet be managed during the first 10 days of lactation?

Increase diet gradually.

What factors are crucial to optimize fertilization in pigs?

Good oestrus detection, serve at the correct time, don’t move between day 5-35, and correct nutrition.

List factors affecting ovulation in pigs.

Nutrition, general health, good feed intake in lactation, management of sows to come into oestrus during early fertile period.

What is anoestrus in terms of reproductive failure?

A failure to exhibit a heat cycle.

What effects can decreased ovulation and oocyte production have?

Decreased litter size and decreased farrowing rate.

What is the typical wean to service interval for a sow?

6 days, serving 24 hours after the onset of standing oestrus.

What is the wean to service interval for a gilt?

5 days, serving 12 hours after the onset of standing oestrus.

What amount of light and lux is ideal for day length in pigs?

16 hours of light at 200 lux.

What is the recommended insemination schedule for gilts?

Minimum of 2 inseminations at 12-hour intervals.

What should be avoided between 5-35 days post insemination?

Movement of the sows, as it interferes with implantation.

What does an irregular return to service indicate?

Potential issues with fertilisation or implantation.

What issue can a decreased litter size indicate?

Problems with ovulation, oocyte production, fertilisation, or implantation.

What can decreased farrowing rates indicate?

Issues with ovulation and oocyte production.

What is autumn infertility?

A seasonal issue where pigs do not want to breed in winter due to short days.

Which group of pigs is usually affected by autumn infertility?

Gilts and young sows.

What are the clinical signs of autumn infertility?

Not cycling, increased returns to oestrus, abortions.

What management strategies can help mitigate autumn infertility?

Increase feed level, increase boar contact, manipulate daylight length.

What are common causes of summer infertility?

Heat stress and sunburn.

What should be done to protect pigs against heat stress in summer?

Provide wallows for mud access.

What does PRRS stand for?

Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome.

What are the three disease statuses related to PRRS?

Negative, positive stable, and positive unstable.

What is recommended for control of PRRS?

Vaccination and a replacement programme.

What are clinical signs of swine influenza virus?

Respiratory disease, pyrexia, abortion, weak or inappetent piglets.

What does SMEDI stand for?

Stillbirth, Mummification, Embryonic death, Infertility.

What causes SMEDI?

Porcine parvovirus and other viral infections.

What is the cause of Aujezsky’s disease?

A herpes virus.

What are the clinical signs of Aujezsky’s disease?

Abortion and neurological signs in piglets.

What is Brucella suis?

A bacteria causing infertility, weak piglets, and abortion.

What are the clinical signs of leptospirosis?

Abortion, stillbirths, and vaginal discharge.

How is Erysipelas diagnosed?

By the presence of red diamond-shaped lesions.

What is crucial in the investigation of abortion in pigs?

Full clinical exam, serology, and nasal swabs.

What treatments may be necessary for infectious reproductive issues?

Amoxicillin for Erysipelas, tetracyclines for leptospirosis.

What preventive measures should be taken against reproductive failures?

Vaccination and good hygiene at service/AI.