dr. rob knox - gilt management/puberty induction and sow longevity/productivity
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Gilt Management/Puberty Induction and Sow Longevity/Productivity - Dr. Rob Knox, University of Illinois, from the 2012 Allen D. Leman Swine Conference, September 15-18, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.TRANSCRIPT
Gilt Development and Induction Management for Fertility and Longevity
Rob KnoxDepartment of Animal Sciences
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL USA 61801
2012 Leman Pre-Conference Reproduction Workshop
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Premise of Gilt Development and Sow Longevity
• How we develop Gilts impacts their maturity/fertility at mating and in subsequent parities
– Problems in development result in : • >days to 1st service • >non-productive days• Reduced fertility• >health problems • higher fallout rate
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
-High culling rates-an old problem?
– From 1960 to 2000 (NHF Review 2004) • Culling rate No. of Studies• 20-30% 9• 30-40% 8
– PigCHAMP 2007 50.0%
– Koketsu 2007 JAS 85:1086-91 40.6%
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Why a gilt won’t make it to parity 5
CULL
Puberty delayNo puberty
Low litter size
Poor conditionbody weight,
Feet/legs, health
Poor litters
Failure to rebreed after weaning
Conception failure
return to service
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
The realities of Gilt Replacement
• Great variation in – gilt growth/body development – Days to pubertal estrus – symptoms of standing and vulva swelling
• Some never express puberty
• Many are culled before their 1st, 2nd or 3rd litter
In prepubertal gilts, proportions of gilts showing brain and ovary maturation by age
50 100 150 200 2500
102030405060708090
100
Med Foll
LH Pulses
Series3
Days of Age
Per
cen
t
GnRH
The Physiology of Gilt Puberty• Ovaries/uterus can grow and respond by 120 d of age • (Guo, et a., 1998 JAS 163-68)
• Hypothalamic-pituitary axis is fully mature in LH response to estradiol feedback and external stimuli by 210 d (not 150 d). • Barb et al., 2010 ARS 122:324-7
• Increased LH pulses increase all reproductive measures• Estrogen, ovary and uterus weight ) Beltranena et al., 1993 JAS
71:471-80
• Maturity relies on• Estrus behavior (symptoms/duration)• Ovulation (rate and timing) • Uterus Size (capacity)• Cycle length and repeatability
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 >60 none0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Estrus in gilts following Boar Exposure at 180 days of Age.
Days
Pe
rce
nta
ge
72.5% (n = 700/965) estrus in 80 days (AASV Pre Conf. Symp. Foxcroft, 2002)
Most but not all gilts express estrus by 260 d of age
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Puberty Can be influenced by Farm, Breed, Management
Hughes et al., 1990; J. Reprod. Fertil. Suppl. 40:323-341
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Where Can Selection Pay Off for Gilt Fertility?
• Merks et al., 2000 RDA 35:261-66
AVG SD CV h2
AAP 210 26 12 0.32 *
Vulva symptoms 0.83 0.38 *
Standing response 0.87 0.29 *
Ovulation rate 14 3 19 0.24 *
ES 0.8 0.2 23 0.14
Born alive 10.3 3 29 0.10
WEI 7.7 6.9 90.1 0.10
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Selection of gilts for standing and Vulva symptoms at pubertal estrus improves subsequent generations
Rydhmer et al., 1994 J. Anim. Sci. 72:1964-1970 (Yorkshire)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt Selection for fertility • In Mothers of Gilts
– Offspring of early puberty mothers (d 185) cycle earlier with more BF than those selected for late puberty (d 235)
• Hixon et al., JAS 1987 64: 977-82
• In Litter size– Gilts from large litters where uterine crowding occurred have smaller placentas and
smaller fetuses (h2 = 0.10).• Van der waaij et al., 2010 JAS 88:2611-9
• Gilts– low BF at early AAP (<d 185)– Heavy birthweight in large litters (relative to herd)– estrual score and early AAP– Growth rate and BF at AAP
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Higher Growth Rate Reduces AAP
Growth rate (g/d) n AAP with BE start at 144 d
Pubertal by 190 d
577 58 155 d 76%
724 58 164 d* 95%*
Kummer et al., 2009; Reprod. Dom. Anim. 44:255-9 *1.21 lb/d = 0.55 kg/d = 550 g/d1.30 = 590 g/d1.45 = 660 g/d1.60 = 727 g/d
• Higher growth rate (>600 g/d) to 140-165 d (r = -0.40) with AAP• Tummaruk et al., 2009 ARS 110:108-22 (tropics)• Foxcroft, 2005 from Beltranena 1991 (CAN)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Feeding the developing gilt • Energy intake in G-F changes growth, weight and BF not reproductive
measures • (FF E2, plasma E2, repro tract wgt, or LH) Beltranena et al., 1993 JAS 71:471-80
• Feeding method has few effects on reproduction but reduces weight variation at farrow
– Schneider eta al., JAS 2007 85:3462-9
• Weight gain from 161-171 d (500 vs. 1000 g/day) • High increased medium follicles (25 vs. 34) and oocyte meiotic competence
– Van Wettere et al., 2011 Therio 75:1301-10
• Ad lib to 235 or restrict feeding from 123-235 days• AL increases estrus by 235 (98 vs 91%) reduces AAP (174 vs 178 d). Miller et al., JAS 2011 89:342-54
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Effect of gilt development diets differing in lysine energy ratio on response to puberty induction in
replacement gilts at 175 d
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 40
50
60
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
diet 1
d2
d3
Week
kg
112,000 g = 640 g/d97,000 g = 554 g /d
(100 days) (175 days)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Effect of Lysine:energy ratio on PG600 effects on Puberty induction
High Medium Low P N 34 36 36Estrus (%) 90.9 83.0 72.2
<.05*Durest (h) 47 56 52 nsOV (%) 91.9 89.5 86.4 nsCL 16.4 18.5 21.5 ns
Knox et al., 2004, unpublishedCia et al., 1998; Anim. Sci. 66:457-63
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
TreatmentNBE NBE BE BE
Item 160 180 160 180
N 43 38 45 39
Estrus, %a 46.5 38.5 58.7 60.0*
Ovul., %b 65.1 71.8 77.8 72.2
Effect of 4-Day Boar Priming For 160-180 d old Gilts On PG600 Estrus Response
30 minutes of fence-line BE for 4 days or no exposure prior to PG600
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Effect of PG600 and No Daily Boar Contact or Daily Boar Contact on 1st and 2nd Estrus
NBE BE
1st estrus 49% 81% *
1st Ovulation 84% 88%
2nd Estrus 76% 100% *
Barlett et al., 2009. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 114:219-227.
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Effect of adjacent boar housing on cyclic activity following hormone induction of puberty in gilts
No Boar Boar2nd estrus 12/23 20/23 *2nd ovulation 12/23 18/23 *
Paterson and Lindsay, 1981 Anim. Prod. 32:51-54
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Boar Exposure and Gilt Management
• Certain procedures are critical and must be done well (Gadd 2004 Pig progress 20: 14)
• Gilts exposed to boars at 140 to 170 d show puberty at 180 to 200 d ± 28 d (Farms range from 188-251)
– Tummaruk et al., 2009 ARS 110:108-22 (tropics)– Foxcroft, 2005 from Beltranena 1991 (CAN)
• Provide good stressors to to stimulate hormone release
• Minimize Bad stressors that inhibits hormone release
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
140 160 180 200 220 240 2600
102030405060708090
100
140
160
190
210
Days of age
cum
mul
ativ
e es
trus
(%
)A good stress:
Boar exposure advances estrus expression
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Age at start of boar exposure on synchrony
Age at BE AAP D to estrus Estrus in 10 d
160 d 179 18.9 24%
180 d 191 10.4* 67%*
200 d 210 8.3* 70%*
Van Wettere et al., 2006. Anim. Reprod. Sci. 95:97-106.
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Early Exposure:Age at puberty from Boar exposure (%)
140150
160170
180190
200210
220230
240250
260270
2800
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Day of ageJohnson 2003, N = 244; Avg. 180 d (135-276) SD 24 d
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Later ExposureModern Genetic Lines Differ
Line bf 1st estrus % AAP FR % TBAmerican diamond .79 91 225 77 10.2Danbred USA .56 87 222 77 11.0DK Monsanto DK44 .70 87 222 75 11.6DK Monsanto MXP200 .71 97 209 92* 12.0Natl. Swine Reg (Y x L) .66 90 222 77 10.6Newsham Hybrids USA .58 88 223 78 10.5 Diff 0.21 4 16 17 1.8
Moved from pens of 25 into crated 1600 sows facility at 180 d and exposed to a V boar 2/x /d
Moeller et al., JAS 2004 82: 41-53
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Daily Boar Exposure and Twice daily reduces AAP
• Hughes, 2004 Pig Intl. 34:18-20
Days to puberty0 51 d2x/week 34 d5x/week 29 d1x/d 19 d
% cycling in 2 weeks0X 01x/d 19%2x/2 81%
Fenceline or Physical Boar Exposure On Accumulative Estrous Expression
Zimmerman et al., 1998
0102030405060708090
100
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Day of age
Cum
mul
ativ
e E
stru
s (%
)
FBE-2x
FBE-1x
PBE-2x
PBE-1x
160 d exposure, 10 min/day
Duration of daily boar exposure on puberty
0 2 10 300
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Minutes of exposure/day
days
Paterson et al., 1989; Anim. Reprod. Sci. 21:115-124
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Good StressorsBoar Exposure Frequency and Transport on Gilt Puberty
BE (20 min)
Transport (20 min) 0 1X/d 3 X/dYes 0% 56% (187) 62%
(171)
No 29% (186) 25% (179) 44% (183)
Hughes et al., 97
Hughes et al, 2007 ARS 46:159-65
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Effect of boar choice
Maturity of BoarsStimulus APNo Boar 2036.5 mo. old Boar 20611 mo. Old boar 18224 mo old boar 182Exposure at 160 d
Activity of boarType AP
Control 217Vocal 199Boar + Vocalization 178
30 min/day begin @ 140 d
Percent of gilts pubertal and days to puberty in response to LIBIDO
No Boar Low Libido High Libido
Puberty 20 d 0 19 59 *
Puberty 40 d 8 62 81 *
Puberty 60 d 35 88 89 *
Days to Puberty
48 d 34 d 19 d *
Hughes, 2001 VIth Intl. Conf. Pig Reprod. Pre-conf. Workshop.
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Bad StressorsImpact of gilt floor space on puberty
Floor space
Gilts/pen at 75 d of age
Pens/TRT 140 d PBE to a V-Boar
AAP Pubertal by 200 d
1.13 m2 15 ~42 + 8 min/d 182 d 37%0.77 m2 22 ~30 + 12 min/d 184 d* 30%*
Young et al., 2008 J. Anim. Sci. 86:3181-93
1.13m2 = 12 sq. ft
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Bad stressorsGroup Size on Induction
No. Gilts/Group % Cyclic by 270 d
3 579 7817 8027 81
• Not >40 and <4// give 16-22 sq. ft
• Ratio of gilts to boar should be 6:1 and if greater then exposure time may need to be > 10 minutes
Hughes 2001 , Intl. Conf. Pig Reprod. Pre conf. workshop
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Bad stressorsHigh Ammonia negates boar exposure
• >10-20 ppm in development delays puberty• (Malayer et al., 1987; Zimmerman et al., 1988)• 5.0 ppm ammonia can be achieved by running fan more
which improves puberty • Malayer et al., 1987 JAS 64:1476-83
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt Maturity at Breeding
• > Wgt. gain in 1st gestation = > FR (favors intermediate age)
• Hoving et al., ARS 122:82-9
Age 1st mating
Wgt 1st mating
Wgt at 1st farrow
Wgt at 1st wean
Not Preg BA P1 BA P2
Farm A 230 124 181 156 11% 10.7 11.6
Farm B 275 145 189 165 15% 11.8 11.6
* * * *
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt Age at 1st Service on Productivity
Early Intermediate late
Intervals +21 d +21 d
AI 222 243 264
Age at farrow 337 356 371
Age at Cull 982 1014 1024
Parity at cull 4.8 5.0 4.9
BA 52.0 53.8 53.6
Cozler et al., 1998 pig progress 14:8-9; favors intermediate
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilts age at service on TB
• Goss, 2003 Pig Intl. 33:21-24 (Brazil, C-22 13,000 litters); favors intermediate
<190 200 210 220 230 240 250 >25010
10.2
10.4
10.6
10.8
11
11.2
11.4
11.6
11.8
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt maturity and born alive
• Schukken et al., 1994 JAS 72:1387-92 (14,000 gilts; favors older age )
195 205 215 225 235 245 255 265 275 285 2958
8.5
9
9.5
10
10.5
11
11.5
12
Age of mating
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt weight at mating and P2 BF (mm) and total pigs to 4th parity
• Goss, 2003 Pig Intl. 33:21-24 (Challinor et al., 1996); favors intermediate BF and weight
115 125 135 145 155 1650
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
P2 at AItotal pigs
Weight at mating
Impact of weight at first service on Productivity (total born P 1-3)
Source: Williams et al., 2005
135 140 154 166 >170 favors intermediate kg
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt maturity and herd life
• Schukken et al., 1994 JAS 72:1387-92 (favors intermediate age) • Breeding before 275 d reduces risk by 20% compared to older (Engblom et al., 2008
JAS 86:432-41)
195 205 215 225 235 245 255 265 275 285 295600
650
700
750
800
850
900
Days at mating
days
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Age at Puberty and Herd Longevity
Young et al., 2008 JAS 86:3181-93
<185 >185 favors
n 165 945
BW 200d 131 128 +
GR (g/d) 784 760 * AAP/Faster/heavier
BF 20.6 17.8 * >BF
1st serve 258 261 ns
P 1-3 Born alive 24.8 22.5 * All the above
Age at removal 513 509 ns
Greater productivity with mating at 2nd estrus than later cycles on total born P 1-3
Source: Williams et al., 2005
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
AAP and Sow Fertility
• First 1/3rd of gilts expressing puberty associated with estrus in 10 d post weaning (r = -0.50)
• Sterning et al., 1998 JAS. (favors younger ages)
• Lines selected for early AAP have a shorter wean to estrus, and more sows reaching P5
• Holder et al., Anim. Sci. 1995 61:115-21
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Thoughts on developing gilts• Genes for rapid growth inherent in modern selection
• Immune system and reproductive maturity do not develop as quickly as growth traits– High culling/replacement rates will not allow herd immune stability which increases following
P2
• Growth management appears critical to allow reproductive maturity without excessive body maturity
– Gilts need a period of slow down or else they will get too big• Fatter/slower growing gilts less likely to be culled (Hoge and Bates 2011 JAS 89:1238-45)
– How and when this is done is important (lysine/energy/stress)
– Diet manipulation from puberty to breeding no effect on longevity/productivity(Rozeboom et al., 1996 JAS 74:138-150)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt and Reproductive failures lead North American Farm (%) Fertility Concerns
Sows bred within 7 daysIrregular returnsRegular returns
Gilt estrusNIP
Irregular estrus intervalsLow born alive
No declineMultiple matings
AbortStillbornsMummies
0 10 20 30 40 50 60% of farms
• Knox et al., unpublished• Associated with higher culling: returns, stillborns
• Hoge and Bates 2011 JAS 89:1238-45; Engblom et al., 2008 JAS 86:432
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Getting gilt fertility right the first time is critical for longevity
Gilts conceiving at 1st AI
Gilts returning at 1st AI
P value
Age entry 180 180
Age at 1st mating 257 257
Age at 1st conception 259 320 *
Parity at removal 6.2 5.6 *
Lifetime pigs born 69.7 61.9 *
Koketsu et al., J. Vet med. Sci. 61:1001-1005 1999
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Repeat Service Females Pregnancy Failures
• Farrowing rate– decreases 10% in re-serviced females
• Japan; (Koketsu 2003 J vet med sci. 65:1287-91 (N= 539 herds)
– Repeated service females 13% less likely to farrow• Tummaruk et al Prev. vet med 2010 96:194-200 (Thailand, ~9000 females
– Previous reproductive failure = 17% more likely to be open – Average re-service rate is 16% (gilts) and 14% (P1-2 sows).
– Vargas et al., Prev. vet Med 2009 89:75-80 and ARS 2009 113:305-10– PIC females in Brazil
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Diagnosing Sources of Reproductive Failure
• By 260 days of age 16% of gilts fail to show estrus (but had ovulated and had a red swollen vulva)
• Eliasson ARS 1991 25:255-64
• Return to estrus after mating the most common failure• Vargas et al., Prev. vet Med 2009 89:75-80 • ARS 2009 113:305-10
• Reproductive Tract Lesions• 52% None• 25% Inactive ovaries• 23% Paraovarian cysts• 6% Ovarian cysts• 1% Uterine disorders
– Heinonen et al., 1998 (1700 tracts)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Reproductive Failure Diagnostics
• In a herd with evident reproductive failures• 67% culled for repeat breeding and irregular returns
– Diagnostics• 50% no pathology• 69% cycling • 17% inactive ovaries (61% endometritis)• 14% cysts• 27% endometritis
– Dalin et al., 1997 Acta vet scand. 38:253-62
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Gilt Health• Data suggests farm specific impact not system type
• Krietr et al., dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 2004 111:462-6• Lesions, Respiratory, GI, Genitourinary,
• High rates of gilt replacement destabilizes herd health– Gilts have lower immunity for offspring– Greater incidence of Mycoplasma, PRRS
• Moore NHF April 2004 6-10
• Diseases that impact reduce feed intake and nutrient absorption will reduce growth rate, health and Immune status and impact puberty• PCV2• PRRS• iletis
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
2006 USDA Disease Prevalence in US Swine Herds
Breeding herd
Breeding herd vaccination
G-F G F vaccinates
PRRS 18.8 27% 23.0Mycoplasma 8.8 5.0Ileitis 24.0Mycoplasma 35% 24.0H1N1 5.6 28% 23.1Gastric ulcers 9.3 14.5Hemorrhagic bowel 18.9
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Specific Factors Influencing Gilt health
• Sanitation in barn– Assoc. with discharges
• Immunity affected by time of cross fostering– Ab and CMI transferred over 12 h from dam
• Bandrick et al., Vet Rec. 2011 168:100-
• Diseases with potential impact on future gilt fertility– PCV2 (PR)
– Madson et al., Vet pathol. 2009 46:707-16
– SI • Increased mortality in piglets, growers, finishing, aborts
– Pejsak et al., Medycyna Weterynaryjna 61:1154-59 2005
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Take Home• Gilt replacement rates are an old problem we have not addressed well
– Herd differences are real and multi-factorial for all below
– Days to maturation of gilt system takes time
– Gilt health management in G-F allows GR
– 1st breeding success a key
– Selection approach involves mother, litter comparisons, traits– – Growth management
– Breeding age has targets for age, weight, maturity, BF
– There are ways to maximize ESTRUS induction using boar exposure and management approaches
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Thanks for your attention!