Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
10893879 | Theriogenology | 2005 | 8 Pages |
Abstract
This study aims to examine influences of specific boar stimuli on uterine activity in estrous sows, by comparing uterine activity in presence of a mature teaser boar and a robot boar with variable stimuli. Nineteen multiparous, cyclic, commercial crossbred sows were used. Intra-luminal uterine pressure was measured using a non-surgical method for 45 min before applying one of four treatments in combination with a back-pressure-test (BPT): (1) robot with olfactory and auditory stimuli (R + O + A) (n = 16), (2) robot with auditory stimuli (R + A) (n = 16), (3) robot without additional stimuli (R) (n = 16), (4) a mature boar (boar) (n = 15). After treatment, measurements continued for 30 min. For each measurement, frequency, mean amplitude and mean duration of uterine contractions were determined. Spontaneous frequency of uterine contractions was 18.6 ± 0.7 hâ1 on average and did not differ between treatments. Frequency of contractions increased significantly for the boar (+5.6 ± 1.3 hâ1; P < 0.01), R + O + A (+3.9 ± 1.3; P < 0.01) and R + A (+2.6 ± 1.3; P < 0.05). The effect of boar presence on frequency of contractions was greater than the effect of R (P < 0.05). Amplitude and duration of contractions were not affected by treatment. The change in frequency was dependent on spontaneous frequency (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the higher the level of boar stimuli, the greater the increase in frequency of uterine contractions. The results indicate that the used combinations of artificial boar stimuli do not mimic a 'whole' boar. It is unclear which boar stimuli stimulate maximal uterine activity during estrus.
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Authors
R. Gerritsen, P. Langendijk, N.M. Soede, B. Kemp,