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1. To understand basic swine reproduction

2. To become familiar with common terminology used within the swine industry

3. To learn principles and techniques of several methods of mating

4. To become aware of common swine reproductive diseases

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artificial insemination (AI)— introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract by a technique other than natural service

barrow— male castrated before sexual maturity

boar— male that has not been castrated

ejaculation— discharge of semen from the male

estrous cycle— cycle of events from one heat (estrus) period to the next in females

estrus— period during which the female is receptive to the male (will allow mating)

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farrow— to give birth to baby pigs

feeder pig— pig weighing between 30 and 90 pounds

finishing pig— young swine weighing more than 120 pounds, but not heavy enough for slaughter

gestation— pregnancy, in swine about 114 days duration

gilt— a young female that has not farrowed or is not showing any signs of pregnancy

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growing pig— young swine after weaning, generally weighing fewer than 120 pounds

heat period— period when the female will accept the male (same as estrus period)

lactation period— period of milk secretion

litter— pigs farrowed by a sow at one delivery period

ovulation— release of egg from ovary, occurs near the end of estrus period

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parturition— process of giving birth

piglet— suckling age pig, generally up to a few days old

puberty— age at which the reproductive organs become functional and secondary sex characteristics develop

sow— a mature female that has farrowed or is showing signs of pregnancy

stag— male castrated after secondary sex characteristics develop

wean— remove suckling pigs from their mother

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Development

• Reach puberty around six to eight months of age

• First used for breeding around seven to eight months of age

• Sperm numbers and semen volume increase as boars mature

Ejaculation• Three phases

1. pre-sperm prepares for passage, lubricant lasts first few minutes of ejaculate

2. sperm containing contains high sperm count lasts 2-3 minutes

3. post sperm contains high sperm content serves as cervical plug

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Care and Management

• Nutritional, complete rations

• Fresh, plentiful water supply

• Suitable shelter

• Exercise

Development

• Most gilts enter puberty within five to seven months

• Puberty can be effected by environmental factors

• Females first breeding

should not occur before eight months of age

should occur during 2nd or 3rd estrous cycle

should occur when female weighs at least 220 – 250 pounds

crowding

male contact

nutrition

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Estrous Cycle• Occurs after the onset of puberty

• Reoccurs and repeats itself as long as the female is not pregnant

• Controlled by hormones preparing the reproductive tract for ovulation and pregnancy

• 21 day duration on average

• Estrus lasts around 40 – 60 hours

• Ovulation is generally 38 – 42 hours after the onset of estrus

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Hand Mating• females are kept apart from

the males until desired time of breeding

Advantages:

prevents overuse of a particular sire

provides certainty of mating and to which boar

can increase conception rate by 5 – 10%

Disadvantage:

increases labor and facility requirements

Pasture Mating• males and females coexist throughout the

breeding season or year round

Advantages:minimum laborheat detection is boar’s responsibility

Disadvantages:uncertainty of mating and date of conceptionuncertainty of infertile sireshard on young boars; limit to 8 – 10 gilts

(yearling or mature boars can handle 15 – 20 sows)

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Artificial Insemination (AI)• process by which semen from the male is

placed into the reproductive tract of the female using mechanical means rather than by natural service

method of choice for

commercial operations

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Artificial Insemination (AI)Advantages:

decreases spread of disease

increases the number of offspring from a superior boar

identifies the fertility of the boar

reduces the number of sires needed

one ejaculate can service

up to 15 sows

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Artificial Insemination (AI)

Disadvantages:

requires trained level of management

increases time and supervision of the female herd for estrus detection

boar training

semen handling and special breeding facilities

more costly

Semen collection

1. Boar mounts dummy sow for semen collection

2. Semen placed in tube or bottle with extender

Semen handling techniques

May be stored fresh at a temperature of 55 – 60°F or frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen

Should be protected from direct light and sudden temperature changes

Should be rotated twice a day to keep sperm and extender mixed

usually has a life span of 5 - 7 days

Female preparations

1. Estimate estrous (heat) cycle and standing heat period

2. Order or collect semen and supplies, according to estrous cycle estimation, in advance lubrication gel

semen bottle in small cooler

scissors or knife (used to snip or open semen bottle)

boar odor spray

insemination pipette or catheter

Female preparations

3. Clean and wash area around vulva before breeding

4. Place pressure on the back or shoulders of the female

5. Boar aerosol spray may be applied to fence or area to help bring female into standing heat

6. Generously apply lubrication gel on the tip of the catheter

7. Insert tip of catheter into vulva with gentle pressure and a counterclockwise turning motion

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Female preparations

8. Snip the end of the semen bottle

9. Once the tip is “locked” into the cervix, insert the open end of the semen bottle into the catheter

10. Gently squeeze semen bottle until all semen has been inserted into the female

11. Gently remove catheter with a clockwise turning motion

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Recommended to breed both sows and gilts twice during estrus

First breeding

• gilts— late first day of estrus

• sows— early second day of estrus

Second breeding

• 12 – 24 hours after first breeding

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Management should consider

• Litters per sow per year

• Optimum time of year to market/sell pigs

• Climatic conditions

• Equipment and labor

all of these are deciding factors as to when and how often one breeds females

Conception Rate

• Fertilization rate is generally around 85 – 90% for most herds

• 5% of litters are lost during gestation

• Factors affecting conception rates high environmental temperatures overfeeding during pregnancy excessively fat or thin sows or gilts abortive diseases— brucellosis and leptospirosis nutritionally incomplete rations injuries

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Gestation

• 114 day duration

most commonly remembered as 3

months, 3 weeks, 3 days

Confinement

• Female is confined to a limited space (farrowing crate) to prevent injury or crushing of baby pigs

Non-confinement

• Females are free to roam a limited pasture area with huts or other prepared areas to farrow piglets

Self Feeder

Heat lamp Area for sow to lay

Area for piglets

Area for piglets

Confinement Farrowing Crate

Multiple females live in

smaller area

Each female has her own hut

Non-Confinement Farrowing

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• Female should be moved into farrowing house two to four days before expected farrowing date

always wash and sanitize both the female and farrowing house before moving

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• Twenty-four hours prior to farrowing, the female will release her milk for lactation

• Prior to farrowing

females exhibit restlessness or nesting behavior

frequent urination, and swelling and reddening of the vulva

• Should be present at farrowing if capable

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• Piglets develop in both uterine horns, randomly locating themselves throughout each horn

• Piglets may either be born head first or feet first

• One uterine horn could empty first followed by the other, or there may be fetuses from either side in mixed order

Uterine Horns

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• Each piglet will be born in individual sacs/membranes remove the

membrane from the nose and

mouth

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• Heat lamp should be provided at least the first few days of life to prevent chilling

• Piglets should nurse the mother’s first milk, also known as colostrum

contains minerals and antibodies necessary for

piglets’ health

ambient temperature of 93°F

is recommended

Important tasks to be performed during the first day

1. Tie off the umbilical cord and dip the cord into iodine solution

2. Clip the “needle teeth”

3. Ear-notch each pig for identification and record keeping purposes

4. Cut off the tail of each pig (tail docking)

prevents entrance of infectious diseases

may irritate sow’s underline during

nursing

Other tasks

1. Day 2-3, injectable iron or iron paste should be given to prevent anemia

2. Castration of male pigs can be done at anytime

recommended time is at one to three weeks

3. Creep feed should be introduced during the second week

4. Weaning of pigs can be performed anywhere from two to five weeks

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• Estrus occurs five to eight days post-weaning

• Weaning time factor

if weaning pigs at three weeks or less, then skip first heat

if weaning pigs at four weeks or more, then breed first heat

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Diseases can cause reproductive failure

• Abortions

• Stillborns

• Mummified pigs

• Missed breeding cycles

• Lightweight newborn pigs

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erysipelas— sows and gilts infected may show clinical signs of fever, lethargy, anorexia, stiffness and may abort

leptospirosis— causes abortion, dead or weak piglets at birth

parvovirus— most prevalent viral agent causing infertility

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PRRS (porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome)— causes birth of premature litters, stillborns and increased pre-weaning illness and death

pseudorabies— highly contagious disease that can spread from herd to herd; causes abortion; attacks nursery and growing pigs’ immune and nervous systems; causes severe respiratory problems in finishing swine

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Contributing factors

• Facility design

• Sanitation and management

• Nutrition

• Genetics

• Gilt development

• Mating programs

• Weaning schedules

• Exposure to other contaminated animals, including wildlife or other farm animals and pets

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Disease management or prevention

• Vaccination programs

• Maintain body condition

• Proper nutrition

• Proper sanitation and management

• Prevent exposure to potentially contaminated animals

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• Producer should set goals for his/her operation reflecting:

resource availability

producer’s interests, promotional styles and abilities

realistic evaluation of present and future markets

• Producer should evaluate his/her current swine herd for traits of improvement or emphasis and select future breeding stock accordingly

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breed— become aware of a breed’s strengths and maintain those strengths

reproductive soundness— well developed testicles; free of umbilical or scrotal hernias; aggressive and show a desire to mate

type and quality— dependant upon goals set by producer; however, a well mix of desirable traits is preferred

muscular

leanness

sound feet and legs

sound underline

balanced

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pedigree— provides help in determining the potential breeding value of the boar

health— use only healthy boars from pathogenic and disease free herds

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soundness— should show normal reproductive development; should have at least six functional teats on each side; strong pasterns and sound feet and legs

conformation— well mix of traits as with boar selection

health— select only healthy females from pathogenic and disease free herds

litter size— ability of a female to raise large litters is a direct indication of mothering ability

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• Accurate records are necessary to:

determine the breeding age of the animal

determine estrous/heat cycle

estimate farrowing date

analyze performance data of sow, boar and litter

determine which animals are kept or culled to benefit the breeding program

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1. What are three environmental factors that can effect puberty?

2. Keeping females and males apart until desired time of breeding is termed as?

3. Most gilts enter puberty at what age?

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4. Name four advantages of Artificial Insemination (AI)?

5. Fresh semen should be stored at what temperature?

6. What disease is the most prevalent viral agent causing infertility?

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7. Name two attributes of keeping accurate records?

8. What is the term used to describe the period during which the female is receptive to the male?

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9. What phase of ejaculation prepares sperm for passage or serves as a lubricant?

10.Boars reach puberty around what age?

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Dr. Robert Hines. Lecture Notes. Kansas State University

“Managing the Sow and Litter.” Oklahoma State University

National Pork Producers Council www.nppc.org

Pond, Kevin., and Wilson Pond. Introduction to Animal Science. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.

“Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS)” www.vetsci.sdstate.edu/prrs/prrs4.htm

Purdue University www.agriculture.purdue.edu

Thompson, Leif H. Managing Swine Reproduction. University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign

“Swine Reproductive Disease.” Pfizer Animal Health. www.pfizer.com/ah/livestock/pork/58_pork.html

Texas Tech University www.asft.ttu.edu

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) www.usda.gov

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Production Coordinator

Clayton Franklin

Kristina Harris

Production Manager

Geoff Scott

Executive Producer G.W. Davis