Pre-Weaning Administration of a PGF2? Analogue (Cloprostenol) and Its Influence on Early Reproductive Indicators in Sows Under Commercial Farm Conditions

Abstract

Efficient reproductive management in commercial swine production requires minimising non-productive days and ensuring rapid return to oestrus after weaning. The present study evaluated the effect of pre-weaning administration of cloprostenol, a PGF2? analogue, on early reproductive indicators in sows under commercial farm conditions. A total of 734 clinically healthy multiparous sows (parity 2-9) from a commercial farm were randomly allocated to two groups before weaning. Control sows (n = 367) received no treatment, whereas treated sows (n = 367) received an intramuscular injection of cloprostenol sodium 12 h before piglet removal. Reproductive parameters evaluated included the weaning-to-first-service interval (WFSI), proportion of sows in oestrus within 7 days after weaning, pregnancy rate, early endometritis and abortion rate within the first 42 days of gestation. Sows treated with cloprostenol showed a significantly shorter WFSI compared with control sows (treated: 4.94 ± 0.18 days vs. control: 6.41 ± 0.27 days; p = 0.001) and a higher proportion of oestrus within 7 days after weaning (93.19% vs. 84.2%; p = 0.008). Pregnancy rate and early endometritis incidence were not affected by treatment. However, cloprostenol significantly reduced abortion rate during early gestation (0.55% vs. 3.27%; p = 0.006). Under the conditions of this field study, pre-weaning administration of cloprostenol was associated with a shorter WFSI, a higher proportion of sows showing oestrus within 7 days after weaning, and a lower early abortion rate. These findings suggest that cloprostenol may influence early reproductive indicators in multiparous sows under commercial farm conditions, although further studies including endocrine, ovarian and farrowing outcomes are required.