Prostaglandin-induced parturition in swine -- a field study on its accuracy after treatment with different amounts of PGF.

This trial was performed within one large piglet producing herd in Sweden during June-August 1976. One hundred and sixty sows were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) 15 mg PGF2alpha i.m., (2) 20 mg PGF2alpha i.m., (3) two injections of 10 mg PGF2alpha i.m. at c. 8 h interval, (4) untreated countrol sows. PGF2alpha was administered in the morning of days 111, 112 or 113 of pregnancy. Of the PGF2alpha-treated sows, 83--85% farrowed within 48 h after treatment. No effect of day of treatment was found. Nor was any difference between groups observed. Neither of the treatments had a significantly negative influence of the viability of the piglets born. A numerically lower incidence of agalactia post partum was demonstrated in sows treated once with 15 mg or 20 mg PGF2alpha. A possible effect of PGF2alpha for prevention of agalactia post partum is discussed.