Instant Insights: Optimising Reproductive Efficiency in Pigs

This book features four peer-reviewed reviews on optimising reproductive efficiency in pigs.

The first chapter highlights some of the main factors which are known to affect reproductive efficiency in pigs, including gilt development, litter size, control of the weaning to oestrus interval and season infertility. Management strategies designed to help producers continue to make a profit are also discussed.

The second chapter introduces the concept of artificial insemination and details its importance in mitigating future challenges encountered by the global pig industry. The chapter also considers a range of factors which can affect the reproductive efficiency of boars, including low sperm count and semen quality.

The third chapter reviews the advances and trade-offs of genetic selection for improved reproductive performance in modern sows, such as an increase in piglet mortality rates. The chapter also includes informed discussions on breeding for improved conception rate, litter size and maternal behaviour.

The final chapter summarises the basic physiology of porcine female reproduction, including ovarian structure and function, folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. It also describes stages of the porcine oestrous cycle. Further, emerging exposures and alterations to ambient temperatures and how they affect porcine female reproductive function are included.

Dr Jason Ross is the Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professor in Physiology and the Chair of the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, USA. Prior to serving as the department chair, Professor Ross was the Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, supporting one of the leading pork-producing states in the USA through Extension and applied research. Professor Ross is internationally-known for his research on swine reproductive physiology for which he has received a number of awards.