The objective of the study was to evaluate the use of dexamethasone for inducing and controlling the time of parturition in the sow

Dunn, L. R.

Libal, G. W.

Rich, T. D.

Wahlstrom, R. C.

English

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South Dakota State UniversityOpen PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access InstitutionalRepository and Information ExchangeSouth Dakota Swine Field Day Proceedings andResearch Reports, 1972 Animal Science Reports1972An Evaluation of the Use of Dexamethasone forInducing Parturition in the SowT. D. RichSouth Dakota State UniversityG. W. LibalL. R. DunnR. C. WahlstromFollow this and additional works at: http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/sd_swine_1972This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Animal Science Reports at Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access InstitutionalRepository and Information Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in South Dakota Swine Field Day Proceedings and Research Reports, 1972 byan authorized administrator of Open PRAIRIE: Open Public Research Access Institutional Repository and Information Exchange. For moreinformation, please contact michael.biondo@sdstate.edu.Recommended CitationRich, T. D.; Libal, G. W.; Dunn, L. R.; and Wahlstrom, R. C., "An Evaluation of the Use of Dexamethasone for Inducing Parturition inthe Sow" (1972). South Dakota Swine Field Day Proceedings and Research Reports, 1972. Paper 8.http://openprairie.sdstate.edu/sd_swine_1972/8South Dakota State University Brookings, South Dakota Department of Animal Science Agricultural Experiment Station A.S. Series 72-35 An Evaluation of the Use of Dexamethasone for Inducing Parturition in the Sow T. D. Rich, G. W. Libal, L. R. Dunn and R. C. Wahlstrom Synchronizing all farrowings to a certain day or days of the week should allow closer attention to sows farrowing as well as sufficient tiMe to disinfect facilities between farrowings. These procedures could result in the loss of fewer pigs at or near birth. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid which has been demonstrated to possess abortive inducing capabilities in cows and ewes. This substance, in precise dose levels. will induce parturition within approximately 40 to 48 hours after injection in pre0nant cows and ewes near term. Its capabilities have not been evaluated in the pregnant sow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of dexamethasone for inducine and controlling the time of parturition in the sow. Exp�ri_E.lental Procedure Forty-nine crossbred gilts and sows with known breeding dates were stratified according to age across a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Experimental treatments consisted of two different days of receiving an injection (day 1 10 or 112 of pregnancy) and three levels of dexamethasone (0, 10 or 20 mg.). The experimental design and number of sows per treatment are presented in tahle 1 .  The 0 mg. dexamethasone treatment group received an injection of sterile saline, while the 10 and 20 mg. groups received dexamethasone in sterile saline solution. All injections were given intramuscularly. Results and Discussion The intervals from injection to birth of the first pig are presented in table 2 .  There were no significant differences (P > .10) between levels of dexamethasone within days of injection. Based on these data, it is concluded that 10 or 20 mg. of dexamethasone will not induce parturition in the pregnant sow. These data are in contrast with reports of 20 mg. dexamethasone inducing parturition in cows and ewes. There also were no significant differences (P > . 10 )  between treatments for interval between birth of first and last pig (tahle 3) or percent pigs born alive of total pigs born (table 4) . _'.'ummary The use of dexamethasone for controlling the time of parturition in sows was evaluated on 49 head of crossbred sows. Intramuscular injections of 0 ,  10 or 20 mg. of dexamethasone failed to induce parturition in sows 110 to 112 days pregnant. 26 - 2 -Table I. Experimental Design and Number of Sows Per Treatment Day of pregnancy when injected 0 Level of dexamethasone, mg . 10 20 110 112 10 11 No . 5 4 of SOWS 10 9 Table 2 .  Influence o f  Dexamethasone o n  the Interval from Inj ection to Birth of the First Pig (Hours) 110 112 Level of dexamethasone, mg. 0 10 20 90.5 +9 .4a 46.5+s.5 103+11. 2 67+11.6 89.9 +14.4 5 6.3+ 9.8 a Hean + standard error . Table 3. Influence of Dexamethasone on the Intervals from B irth of the First to Last Pig (Hours) Day Level of dexamethasone, mg. of injection 0 10 20 110 2.9+0.4 5. 4+1. 8 3.2+0.8 112 2 .1+0.5 3.i+o.7 2 .i+o.5 Table 4. Influence of Dexamethasone on Percent Pigs Born Alive of Total Pigs Born Level of dexamethasone, mg. ��D_ay of injection 0 10 20 110 112 91.1% 9 8.2 27 93.6 89.6 98.5 98.1 

An Evaluation of the Use of Dexamethasone for Inducing Parturition in the Sow

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An Evaluation of the Use of Dexamethasone for Inducing Parturition in the Sow

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