SONOGRAPHIC DIAGNOSIS OF REPRODUCTIVE FAI LURES IN THE PIG - NEW ASPECTS

Real time ultrasound presents a helpful tool for the diagnosis of fert ility problems in sow farms. Sonography of the uterus allows for the d etection of non pregnant sows from day 20 after insemination. Diagnosi s of pathological uterine conditions is possible by detection of liqui d in the uterus caused by endometritis or pyometra. The reliability of ultrasound for ovarian diagnosis in swine is closely related to the e xperience of the investigator and the type of scanner used. In ovarian diagnosis special emphasis is laid on the monitoring of the time of o vulation and the recognition of ovarian cysts as a cause for fertility disorders in the farm. The Lime of ovulation varies considerably betw een farms and therefore requires a herd specific insemination strategy . Ovarian cysts were observed frequently in a herd study. They cause s ubfertility without clinical symptoms. In conclusion, ultrasound used for ovarian diagnosis in pig farms allows the adaption of insemination management and the recognition of cysts as a possible cause for subfe rtility.