Altrenogest Supplementation during Early Pregnancy Improves Reproductive Outcome in Pigs

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Donatelli Muro, Bruno Bracco ; Rodrigues Oliveira, Ana Clara ; Carnevale, Rafaella Fernandes ; Leal, Diego Feitosa ; Monteiro, Matheus Saliba ; Poor, Andre Pegoraro ; Pereira, Francisco Alves ; de Souza, Leury Jesus ; Ferreira, Juliana Bonin ; Almond, Glen William ; Pospissil Garbossa, Cesar Augusto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ANIMALS; v. 12, n. 14, p. 8-pg., 2022-07-01.

Abstract

Simple Summary Over the last decades, sows' genetic selection was aimed at increasing litter size to improve profitability in the swine industry. However, large litter size has been associated with low birth weight, increased stillbirth rate and high perinatal mortality, which are traits linked to compromised welfare in modern pig production. These side effects related to large litter size are, in part, associated with early conceptuses and placental development. The action of progesterone is essential during early pregnancy stimulating the uterine tissue to produce and secrete nutrients, growth factors, ions, cytokines and other substances that together support a proper early embryo development and placentation, which in turn may result in greater litter traits at birth. The present study demonstrated that altrenogest (progesterone analogue) supplementation during early pregnancy (from day 6 to 12 of pregnancy) may contribute to profitability and welfare in pig production systems since it increased the number of total piglets born and born alive and decreased the stillbirth rate and the number of low birth weight (<800 g) piglets. Progesterone plays an important role in initial conceptus development and in a successful pregnancy, but results related to progesterone or its analogues (altrenogest) supplementation in early pregnancy of pigs are conflicting. The present study evaluated the effects of altrenogest supplementation in sows during days 6 and 12 of pregnancy on reproductive performance. On day 6 of pregnancy, 301 females were allocated at random to one of the following treatments: CON (Control: non-supplemented females, n = 163) or ALT (females daily supplemented with 20 mg of altrenogest, orally, from day 6 to 12 of pregnancy, n = 138). Ovulation was considered as occurred at 48 h after the first estrus detection to standardize the first day of pregnancy. The supplementation increased the number of total piglets born (ALT: 17.3 +/- 0.4; CON: 16.6 +/- 0.4), piglets born alive (ALT: 15.6 +/- 0.4; CON: 14.8 +/- 0.3), and placenta weight (ALT: 4.2 +/- 0.1; CON: 3.8 +/- 0.1) and decreased the stillbirth rate (ALT: 5.9 +/- 0.6; CON: 7.6 +/- 0.6) and the number of piglets born weighing less than 800 g (ALT: 6.6 +/- 0.6; CON: 8.0 +/- 0.6), without impairment on farrowing rate. These results demonstrated that altrenogest supplementation on swine females between days 6 and 12 of pregnancy may be used to improve reproductive performance. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/14247-4 - Effects of altrenogest supplementation during early pregnancy on litter performance
• Grantee: Ana Clara Rodrigues de Oliveira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• 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: 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: 20/02731-6 - 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: 21/07109-4 - Observational study on the guanidino-acetic acid (GAA) related pathways in peripartal sows in association with farrowing duration and neonatal piglet survival and development
• Grantee: Rafaella Fernandes Carnevale
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
• 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