Efficacy of OvuGel in weaned sows and replacement gilts in commercial production units

Key factors determining reproductive efficiency are control of estrus and ovulation in weaned sows and in gilts, which have already begun to display estrous cycles. Weaning sows at 3 weeks or greater of lactation results in a high percentage of them displaying estrus 5-8 days later. Feeding the orally active progestin, MATRIX, to gilts for 14 days results in greater than 85% of them displaying estrus 4-9 days after last feeding of MATRIX. The 4-6 day range in onset of estrus after weaning in sows and after MATRIX in gilts requires labor intensive estrus detection, and variation in ovulation relative to estrus precludes optimal artificial insemination (AI) timing and single fixed time AI. Thus, a treatment, which will synchronize ovulation more precisely will enable all females in a group to be inseminated on the same day without regard to estrus. Pennatek LLC has developed OvuGel, which delivers triptorelin acetate in a slow release formula via an intravaginal delivery system. Triptorelin mimics a peptide hormone released by the brain that stimulates release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland, which stimulates ovulation. This project will determine optimal time of OvuGel treatment to obtain optimal fertility when paired with a single fixed-time AI in the morning 5 days after weaning in sows and 5 days after last feeding of MATRIX in gilts, if gonadotropin (PG 600) treatment of sows after weaning and gilts after last feeding of MATRIX affects OvuGel synchronization of ovulation and fertility and if OvuGel is effective in major commercial operations.