Effects of farrowing induction with prostaglandins on farrowing traits and piglet performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Author(s)

Monteiro, Matheus S. ; Muro, Bruno B. D. ; Poor, Andre P. ; Leal, Diego F. ; Carnevale, Rafaella F. ; Shiroma, Marina P. ; Almond, Glen W. ; Garbossa, Cesar A. P. ; Moreno, Andrea M. ; Viana, Carlos H. C.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Theriogenology; v. 180, p. 16-pg., 2022-03-01.

Abstract

Induction of farrowing with prostaglandins is a way of increasing farrowing supervision and to provide adequate care for piglets in the first hours of life. However, some studies observed negative effects associated with induction, including decreased piglet viability, reduced birth weight and decreased colostrum yield. Furthermore, the farrowing response of sows to prostaglandins treatment varies among studies, largely influenced by the induction protocol applied. Thus, a systematic review and meta analysis was carried out to evaluate the effects of farrowing induction with prostaglandins on stillbirth rate, birth weight, pre-weaning mortality, weaning weight, farrowing duration and colostrum and milk characteristics as well as the farrowing response to prostaglandin treatment. The interval from farrowing induction to onset of farrowing (IFIOF) was 31 h, and a twice application of prostaglandin increased by 37% the proportion of sows farrowing during the next working day. Prostaglandins had no effect on farrowing duration (P > 0.05). Piglet birth weight and weaning weight were only decreased (P < 0.05) when farrowing was induced >3 days before the expected farrowing date (based on herd average or in gestational length of the control group). Induction three or two days before the expected farrowing date had no effect on stillbirth rate; conversely, stillbirth rate was reduced by 28% (P < 0.05) when induction was performed one day before the expected farrowing date. Farrowing induction had no influence on pre-weaning mortality. The present study strengthened the observations that farrowing induction with prostaglandins is a valuable tool to reduce gestational length variation and to synchronize farrowing during the working day, allowing better assistance to sows and piglets. To obtain the maximum benefit of farrowing induction, it is recommended that induction should be performed one or two days before the expected farrowing date.(c) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/09515-4 - Identification and phenotypic characterization of bacterial pathogens causing metritis in sows.
• Grantee: André Pegoraro Poor
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 19/17683-0 - Evaluation of mortality causes in swine females in intensive production system
• Grantee: Matheus Saliba Monteiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 19/23320-7 - Oral administration of an energetic supplement for farrowing sows and its impact on farrowing kinetics and piglet mortality until weaning
• Grantee: Rafaella Fernandes Carnevale
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• FAPESP's process: 20/02731-6 - Nutritional additive rich in dietary fiber during the transition period in order to improve sow and litter performance
• Grantee: Bruno Bracco Donatelli Muro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/01192-7 - Characterization of bacterial pathogens causing metritis in swine using culture and metagenomics analysis
• Grantee: André Pegoraro Poor
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 20/11016-9 - Nutritional additive rich in dietary fiber for swine dams in the pre-insemination and transition period to improve the productive performance of the sow and the litter
• Grantee: Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/04596-9 - Evaluation of sedation of the green-billed toucan (Ramphastos dicolorus) with isolated use of dexmedetomidine or in combination with midazolam
• Grantee: Marina Ponstein Shiroma
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation