C. Alexopoulos, Association of Fusarium mycotoxicosis with failure in applying an induction of parturition program with PGF2alpha and oxytocin in sows, THERIOGENOL, 55(8), 2001, pp. 1745-1757
This trial was conducted ni a farrow-to-finish pig unit from November 1999
to February 2000. Since November 1998 an induction-of-parturition program w
as applied in gilts and sows with PGF2alpha (2 mL Dinolytic, im) 113 d post
service, followed by oxytocin (1 mL Interocine-S, im) 24 h later. This pro
gram resulted in a high proportion of animals farrowing within the working
hours of the day. At mid December 1999 splay-legs and edematous swelling an
d reddening of the vulva started to be observed in newborn piglets. a concu
rrent decline or parameters related to a parturition also was noticed. Myco
toxicological analysis of the feeds revealed a co-occurring contamination w
ith deoxynivalenol and zearalenone. For a 4-week period, sows were divided
into two groups: (a) an induction-of parturition and (b) a non-induction-of
-partuition group. Significant differences were found between the two group
s relating to prevalence of dystocia (< .05) and pregnancy duration (< .05)
. Moreover, it was found that prevalence of splay-legs and swelling of the
vulva were highly correlated (< .05) with reduction of percentage of sows f
arrowing within the working day and increase of pre-weaning morality. It wa
s concluded that such an induction-of-parturition program should be avoided
during a Fusarium mycotoxicosis. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.