Synchronization of Estrus in Swine

Greater production and efficiency of management in the livestock industry has increased the need for artificial breeding of farm animals. The solution to the development of artificial insemination in any species depends greatly on being able to preserve the semen for several days with minimum loss in fertilizing capacity. Synchronization of estrus could make swine artificial insemination practical and economical. Four separate experiments were conducted with a total of 176 gilts in an attempt to synchronize estrus and conception in gilts by use of exogenous hormones. The first experiment was conducted with 48 gilts. The two hormones used in this experiment was CAP and EE. The two compounds were mixed together for simultaneous feeding. No significant difference in the number of corpora lutea was found. The number of ovarian cysts was considered to be higher than normal. Litter size and embryonic survival did not appear to be affected by treatment. The second experiment fed the previously mentioned hormone compounds in sequence. Experiment three included injections of estradiol benzoate given to a portion of the gilts. The fourth experiment included feeding gilts CAP and then injecting them with HCG