Reproduction represents a key point in the maintenance of the pig sector in terms of production and contributes to the establishment of high levels of swine health. Therefore, it is essential to provide valuable tools to veterinarians about the main challenges related to this topic in order to minimize the impact caused by the most important disorders/diseases at the reproductive level. This handbook, written by a renowned specialist in this field, has been developed through a visual and practical approach, using numerous figures that illustrate the ovarian pathophysiology of the show, and providing suitable content to the veterinarians so as to tackle this matter successfully.

Authors:

María Victoria Falceto Recio

Professor of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zaragoza. Subject Coordinator of Porcine in the Degree of Veterinary. Chief of the Reproductive Counseling Service of the Faculty of Veterinary. Co-Director of the Master’s Degree in Swine Health and Production of the Universities of Lleida, Zaragoza, Barcelona and Madrid. Secretary of the National Association of Swine Veterinarians (ANAVEPOR) and member of the board of the Association of Swine Veterinarians of Aragon (AVPA) and the Spanish National Association of Scientific Pig Farming (ANAPORC). Director of the Magapor Professorship of the University of Zaragoza.

Table of contents:

1. Reproductive cycle

Reproductive system: parts and functions

Gonads: ovaries

Tubular part

Copulatory part

Mammary glands

Hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive hormones

Factors that influence reproduction

External factors

Internal factors

Puberty

Reproductive ability

What are the characteristics of their reproductive cycle?

Follicular dynamics

Structures present in the ovary during

the reproductive cycle

Antral follicles

Corpora lutea

Corpora albicans

Hormonal profile

Follicular phase

Control of oogenesis and folliculogenesis

Endocrine control

Chronology of folliculogenesis in mature sows

Follicle recruitment: end of dioestrus or weaning in end of lactation period

Follicle selection: pro-oestrus

Follicle dominance: oestrus

Importance of oestrogens: heat

Practical application on the farm:

how is ideal heat detection?

What induces the preovulatory LH peak in the follicle?

Duration of oestrus and time of ovulation

Practical application on the farm:

time of service/insemination

Luteal phase

Early dioestrus

Late dioestrus/gestation

Corpora lutea in the reproductive cycle and gestation

Ovulation rate

Importance of P4

Practical application on the farm: use of progestogens to synchronise heat in cycling sows

Luteolysis

Practical application on the farm: induction of luteolysis with PG

2. Anoestrus and reproductive seasonality

Anoestrus and pseudoanoestrus

Summer anoestrus

Hormone levels

How can a problem of anoestrus be

diagnosed on a farm?

Differentiation between anoestrus and pseudoanoestrus

Ovarian ultrasound scan and P4 determination

Postmortem study of the ovaries

Heat induction with gonadotropins

Prevention of anoestrus

3. Identification of diseased ovaries

Reproductive consequences of abnormal ovarian function

Congenital alterations

Intersexuality

Paraovarian cysts

Acquired alterations

Cystic ovarian degeneration

Ovarian neoplasms

4. References

5. Glossary of abbreviations