Laparoscopy in post partum sows with special emphasis on the effects of uterine manipulation on the release of prostaglandin F2 alpha.

One hundred laparoscopies were performed on 30 primiparous post partum sows and complications during and after examinations recorded. Nineteen of these animals were separated into two groups and subjected to different treatments: group 1 (10 sows), with conventional laparoscopy; group 2 (nine sows) with two minutes extra manipulation of the uterus after laparoscopy. Blood was sampled before and after the operations. The plasma was analysed for its content of 15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandin F2 alpha by radioimmunoassay. The results indicate that laparoscopies were successful and can be used in post partum sows during lactation and after weaning without any severe complications. In some sows laparoscopy alone or laparoscopy followed by manipulation of the uterus for two minutes caused a peak of the prostaglandin metabolite. However the height and duration of this peak were not sufficient to influence reproductive performance in pigs.