Precocious estrus and reproductive ability induced by PG 600 in prepuberalgilts

A total of 29 SPF Large White prepuberal gilts (mean age 152 days at treatm ent) were examined for estrous and ovulatory responses after PG 600 treatme nt. After treatment, 85.2% of the gilts showed standing estrus within 6 day s. Whereas the treatment-to-estrus interval and duration were 3.7 and 1.9 d ays respectively. As ovulation occurred on Day 5 to 6, appropriate timing o f artificial insemination would be about 4 days after treatment. Fertility of gilts revealed to be excellent, giving rise to a high percentage of norm al embryos, 85.3%. Meanwhile, development and growth of fetuses were mostly normal. Other reproductive performances recorded were: mean litter size 6. 8; mean birth weight 1.26 kg; weaning-to-return estrus interval 5 to 8 days . In conclusion, PG 600 was found to be useful in inducing fertile estrus i n prepuberal gilts, a result which will be of interest for commercial pig f arms.