2002, Number 3
Fetal numbers and survival in sows in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico
Montoya-Gómez LG, Zorrilla-de la Torre E, Escobar-Medina FJ, Colina-Flores F
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 7
Page: 185-188
PDF size: 21.05 Kb.
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Ovulation ability and fetal survival and development was studied in sows on small farms located near the City of Zacatecas, Mexico.Materials and Methods. The study was carried out on organs obtained from 50 pregnant Creole sows slaughtered at the local abattoir, varying in weight and stage of gestation. The length of the uterine horns, the number of corpora lutea in each ovary, and the number, weight, size and location of the products in the uterus were recorded.
Results. The mean length of the uterine right horn was of 194.3 ± 66.4 cm and 183.2 ± 49.6 cm for the left one. The mean number of corpora lutea was of 14.3 ± 4.1 in both ovaries. 7.9 ± 2.6 fetuses were found in the uterine horns, 4.0 ± 1.5 in the right horn and 3.9 ± 1.6 in the left one. Size and weight of the products were not related to their location in the uterus (p›0.05), but the fetal population was higher in the two thirds closer to the oviduct, than it was in the third closer to the uterus body (p ‹ 0.05). 1.54 ± 1.00 fetuses were found in the closest to the oviduct third, 1.23 ± 0.81, in the middle third, and 0.66 ± 0.72 in the furthest third. Fetal survival rates were 54.5 %, and 62.0 %, 57.9 % and 50.0 % in the sows slaughtered on the first, second and third stage gestation, respectively.
Discussion. The results of the present study suggest that the Creole sows’ ovulation ability is similar to that of other genetic groups, but embryonic and fetal survival rates are smaller.
REFERENCES