PSVI-3 - Reproductive Performance of Gilts Enrolled in the Batch Farrowing Ovugel Program Compared with Normal Breeding on Estrus Expression

Abstract: The objective was to compare the fertility (pregnancy and farrowing rates, total number of piglets born) of gilts enrolled in the Batch Farrowing OvuGel Breeding Program to control gilts receiving multiple inseminations upon expression of estrus. Four breeding groups of DNA F1 gilts were blocked by heat-no-service date, body weight and age. Altrenogest was fed (15 mg/gilt/day) to gilts for 14 days. Gilts not expressing estrus prior to altrenogest (n = 16) were divided equally between treatments. The last altrenogest feeding (LAF) was designated day 0. Treatment groups were: Control (n = 182) and Batch Farrowing OvuGel Breeding Program (OG, n = 182). Control gilts were inseminated upon detection of estrus and received additional inseminations at 24-hour intervals for the duration of estrus. Treatment OG gilts that first expressed strong signs of pre-estrus and/or standing estrus on day 6 post-LAF (n = 143) were administered OvuGel and received a single insemination 20 hours post-OvuGel regardless of estrus status. Treatment OG gilts that expressed standing estrus prior to day 6 (n = 10) and for the first time on days 7–8 (n = 22) post-LAF did not receive OvuGel, but were inseminated upon detection of estrus and received additional inseminations at 24-hour intervals for the duration of estrus. Treatment OG gilts that had not expressed estrus by day 8 (n = 7) were administered OvuGel and inseminated once 20 hours later. There were no differences in pregnancy rate (P > 0.89, 94.0% for both OG and control), farrowing rate (P > 0.34), or total number of piglets born per litter (P > 0.83, OG = 16.3, control = 16.2) between OG and control gilts. These data indicate gilts placed on the Batch Farrowing OvuGel Breeding Program had similar fertility as gilts that received multiple inseminations upon the detection of estrus.