Effect of oxytocin treatment on the reproductive performance of sows after artificial insemination with liquid semen

Authors: KAMIL DUZINSKI, DAMIAN KNECHT, PAWEL GAJEWCZYK

Abstract: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of oxytocin treatment at the time of insemination on fertility and prolificacy of sows during the summer season (July and September). The study included 107 Polish Large White × Polish Landrace sows divided into 3 groups: C, control (without oxytocin); I, experimental (5 IU oxytocin administrated intramuscularly per sow, 2 min before insemination); and II, experimental (5 IU of oxytocin added into a 100-mL seminal dose, at the time of insemination). Semen was collected from 11 boars: 2 Polish Large White, 5 Polish Landrace, and 4 Duroc × Pietrain. The highest farrowing rate was obtained in group II at 94.4%. Compared with groups C at 63.9% and I at 71.43%, the demonstrated differences were statistically significant (P ≤ 0.01). The interaction between oxytocin and the breed of boar was also demonstrated. The highest significant differences were observed for Polish Landrace boars semen from group II compared with that of group C (P =<.05), regardless of the insemination month. Application of oxytocin for artificial insemination did not affect the number and weight of piglets born. In conclusion, addition of oxytocin to seminal doses improved the farrowing rate after artificial insemination during the summer season.

Keywords: Pig, reproduction performance, summer season, oxytocin

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