ENDOSCOPIC METHODS IN SWINE REPRODUCTIVE RESEARCH - A REVIEW

One of the major objectives of applying clinical methods is to get a m ore profound knowledge of the state of an organism. With the expansion of knowledge in physiology as well as the perfection of techniques th e different applications have also improved. Over the past decade it h as become obvious that in swine reproductive research such techniques are needed which do not influence the physiological processes and guar antee animal welfare. The minimal invasive and non-invasive methods (t ransabdominal endoscopy and ultrasonography) developed in human medica l practice can be successfully adapted to the requirements of swine re productive research. The present paper reports on the experience gaine d with abdominal endoscopy in swine so far.