Reproductive Performances of Local Pigs in West African Countries: A Review

The local pig is reared in all West Africa countries, and especially in small farms, playing so an important role in its preservation. This article reviews work done on reproductive performances of local pigs in West Africa. These performances focus on age at puberty, estrus and sex cycle, gestation length, prolificity, viability and growth before piglets weaning. Factors that can influence these parameters are included. Finally, the contribution of animal biotechnology to these performances improvement is discussed

A single, episodic event of unilateral/bilateral scrotal swelling in a group of adult boars at an Austrian boar stud

Background Scrotal swelling is a clinical situation which can be caused by different aetiologies. In this case report, we describe a multi-week episode of unilateral and bilateral scrotal swelling in boars at an Austrian boar stud and its diagnostic work-up. Case presentation In the summer of 2020, the herd veterinarian of an Austrian boar stud reported that over a period of six weeks, five out of 70 boars presented with unilateral severe swelling of the left scrotum and three out of 70 boars with bilateral severe swelling of the left and moderate swelling of the right scrotum, respectively. A complete history was obtained and an on-site evaluation of the facility was done. Five boars were necropsied, and a variety of samples harvested for further diagnostic investigations. Infectious differential diagnoses associated with unilateral swelling of the scrotum or the testis were excluded through serological and tissue testing. In three of the five boars, histopathology revealed complete acute haemorrhagic necrosis of the left testis concurrent with strongly congested blood vessels. Review of the collected information with a group of experts in the field of boar stud management resulted with consensus that, most likely, trauma was the etiologic event causing the clinical signs and pathology. Coincident with discussion of implementing video recording cameras in the boar housing area, no further clinical cases followed. As this case occurred during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic, we propose that the distress and travelling restrictions may have contributed to frustration among boar stud workers, which was consequently expressed as misbehaviour against boars. Conclusions Once all known infectious causes of unilateral swelling of the scrotum were excluded, a critical diagnostic work-up focused on non-infectious causes. Non-infectious causes, such as trauma, need to be carefully evaluated, as it may also include human misbehaviour against boars. Summarizing all findings of this case report, the authors hypothesize that a blunt trauma was the reason for the series of mainly unilateral swelling of the scrota of boars.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bilateral scrotal swelling in a boar

Introduction: A 3-year-old Landrace boar with a bilateral swelling of the scrotum was submitted to the Swine clinic in August. History reported a period of hyperthermia, anorexia, depression and weight loss in May. Recovery was obtained after a treatment based on antibiotic (lincomycin and ceftiofur) and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medication injections. On July, the boar fell down after a supervised natural mating. Materials and Methods: The present poster describes our clinical approach and conclusions. Results: The boar had a good general condition and a normal appetite. Scrotal palpation was painless. The left hemiscrotum was more enlarged than the right one. Serological analysis allowed to exclude Aujeszky disease virus, Brucella suis and Chlamydia spp., the main agents responsible for orchitis in pigs. Ultrasonography revealed multiple hypoechogenic cavities around both testicles. Semen analysis performed using microscope showed azoospermia. Dissection of the scrotal tissues - performed in October - revealed the presence of kystic structures filled with serous fluid; the largest one had a diameter of approximately 15 cm. These kystic structures were surrounded by an abondant fibrous connective tissue. Histological examination showed the presence of large amount of lymphocytes and hemosiderophages around the kysts. No sign of spermatogenesis was detected in testis. An hyperplasia of the interstitial tissue in detriment to seminiferous tubules was also observed. Conclusion: These results led us to confirm the traumatic origin of the bilateral scrotal swelling observed in this boar. The lesions were the result of a partial resorption of a complex extratesticular hematoma

Le verrat, la truie: Aspects techniques de la reproduction

Edition 200

Prevalence of PRRS virus in Wallonia (Belgium)

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes major economical losses in pig farms. In different parts of the world, there is a growing consensus that PRRS virus (PRRSv) eradication should be performed on a regional basis, particularly in low density areas of pig production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the apparent prevalence of PRRSv in Wallonia, a low density area of pig production (0.05 pig farms/km²). At this stage of the study, a phone survey has been addressed to 61/276 Walloon breeding pig owners. Fifty-eight answered to the questionnaire: 51 are responsible of a farrow-to-finish farm, 6 of a farrowing farm and 1 of a PRRS-free boar station. In 35% of the tested farms, sows are vaccinated with a modified live virus (MLV) PRRS vaccine (n=11) or with a killed PRRS vaccine (n=9). In two farms, both sows and piglets are vaccinated with a MLV PRRS vaccine. Replacement gilts are purchased in 33% farms. Among the 38 farms raising replacement gilts, 39% purchase boar(s). Boar semen is purchased in 86% of the farms: 56% purchase only boar semen; 30% purchase both semen and boar(s) and 14% of farms only purchase boar(s). In 22/57 tested farms, clinical signs evocative of PRRSv infection were observed over the last 10 years. In 30 farms a PRRS diagnostic test was performed in the past with a positive result in 17. When the pig owner did agree and if no vaccination was carried out on sows or on piglets, a serological Elisa test was performed in 10 breeding pigs and/or 5 feeder pigs >70 kg (or in all available sera if a smaller number of pigs was present). Globally, at herd level and at animal level, the apparent prevalence were respectively 35.2% (95% CI: 23.0-47.4%) and 23.4% (95% CI: 20.1-26.6%)

Ultrasound measurements of uterine height, horns diameter and presence of intraluminal fluid to investigate uterine involution in lactating sows housed in farrowing crates

peer reviewedThe uterine involution of sows housed in farrowing crates was investigated during lactation using B-mode trans-abdominal ultrasonography. The objectives were to describe uterine involution, detect any delay or uterine disorders and assess possible associations between involution and subsequent reproductive performance. Three parameters were measured: uterine height (H), horns diameter (D) and the percentage of sows with intraluminal fluid (F). During lactation (3-4 weeks), H decreased from 11.0±1.6 the first week to 5.9±1.5 cm the last week (p<0.001), and D from 2.6±0.7 to 1.4±0.2 cm (p<0.001). Between days 1-7, H and D decreased significantly faster, i.e. respectively 0.38 cm (p<0.0001) and 0.20 cm (p<0.0001) per day than between days 22-28, i.e. respectively 0.02 cm (p=0.49) and 0.00 cm (p=0.75) per day. F decreased significantly (p<0.0001) from 78% at the beginning to 16% at the end of lactation. Between days 1-7, F decreased significantly (p<0.001) faster than during the last week of lactation (p=0.41). Between days 22-28, H of sows from parity ≥3 were significantly higher than those of sows from parity 1 and 2 (p=0.007). During that period, F was significantly higher in sows of higher parity. This effect of parity on F was significantly higher during the entire lactation period in sows of parity ≥6. Some sows were monitored after weaning. There was no significant relationship between the 3 parameters measured at the end of lactation and the subsequent performance. A small number of sows was suspected of endometritis (2%) and one case of fœtoplacental retention was detected. In conclusion, B-mode ultrasonography is a suitable tool to monitor uterine involution in lactating sows. When examination is conducted during the last week of lactation, it may help the farmer to verify whether uterine involution is complete, and to decide whether a sow should be either culled or maintained on farm

Prevalence of PRRS virus in Wallonia (Belgium)

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) causes major economic losses in pig farms. In different parts of the world, there is growing consensus that PRRS virus (PRRSv) eradication should be performed on a regional basis, particularly in low density areas of pig production. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the apparent prevalence of PRRSv in Wallonia, a low density area of pig production (0.05 pig farms/km²). A phone survey was addressed to 173 of the 276 Walloon breeding pig owners. One hundred and thirty‐two farmers answered the questionnaire and serological tests were performed in 113 herds. If no vaccination was carried out on sows or on piglets, an Elisa test was performed on 10 breeding and/or 5 feeder pig serum samples collected between November 2011 and December 2012. An individual result was considered negative if the s/p ratio was <0.4; a herd was considered positive if an s/p ratio ≥0.4 was obtained by at least one of its pigs. Globally, at herd level and at animal level, the apparent prevalences were respectively 48% (IC95%: 39 – 57%) and 32 % (IC 95%: 29 – 35%). The present study has shown that half the Walloon breeding pig farms are serologically positive for PRRSv. Such prevalence in an area of low pig production supports the project for a regional PRRS control program

Semen characteristics of the three genetic types of boars reared in Benin

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the semen of three genetic types of boars (local, improved and Large White) reared in Benin. METHODS: Semen of local, improved and Large White boars reared in Benin were collected using the gloved hand method and analyzed to determine volume, pH, concentration, mobility, motility, and morphology. The effect of the genetic type of boar on semen characteristics was aslo studied. RESULTS: Duration of ejaculation and semen volume of Large White boar were significantly higher than those of local and improved boars (P<0.05). The semen of improved boars had a higher motility score than that of Large White and local boars (P<0.001). The semen of local boars was more concentrated in the spermatozoa than that of improved and Large White boars (P<0.05). The proportion of spermatozoa of improved boars with normal morphology (93.6%) was significantly higher than that of local (82.2%) and Large White boars (81.6%) (P<0.001). The proportion of spermatozoa with folded tails in the semen of Large White boars (9.2%) was significantly higher than that observed in improved (1.8%) and local (5.0%) boars (P<0.001). The proportion of spermatozoa with proximal cytoplasmic droplets in semen of improved boars (2.7%) was significantly lower than that in Large White (6.8%) and local (9.7%) boars (P<0.001). The local (1.5%) and Large White boars (1.1%) showed more spermatozoa with distal cytoplasmic droplets in their semen compared to the improved boars (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The semen characteristics of pigs reared in Benin vary from one genetic type to another. Each genetic type has a strong point. The Large White boar produces larger semen, the local boar produces more concentrated semen and the improved boar produces spermatozoa that are morphologically better. The semen of these three genetic types can be used in artificial insemination but the improved boar's semen is more recommended

Reproductive performances of local pigs in West African countries: A review

The local pig is reared in all West Africa countries, and especially in small farms, playing so an important role in its preservation. This article reviews work done on reproductive performances of local pigs in West Africa. These performances focus on age at puberty, estrus and sex cycle, gestation length, pro-lificity, viability and growth before piglets weaning. Factors that can influence these parameters are included. Finally, the contribution of animal biotechnology to these performances improvement is discussed. © 2011-2020 JAVR. All rights reserved