Intrauterine Infusion of PGF2αat Insemination Enhances Reproductive Performance of Sows During the Low Fertility Season

The effect of numbers of frozen-thawed boar sperm and addition of prostaglandin F2α at insemination on fertility in pigs

“…This was unexpected since prostaglandin added to semen in a low fertility model using 0.5 billion sperm with a single insemination increased numbers of fetuses and numerically increased sperm in the reservoir (Willenburg et al, 2003). Additionally, reports of increases in farrowing rate or litter size have been reported when prostaglandin was administered at time of breeding (Pena et al, 2000;De Rensis et al, 2012). However, others have noted inconsistent the effects of exogenous hormone administration on fertility when given at breeding (Flowers and Esbenshade, 1993), with other noting no improvement in farrowing rate or litter size (Peña et al, 2001) and others reporting a detrimental effect on sperm reservoirs, semen reflux, fertilization rate and accessory sperm numbers (Langendijk et al, 2002).…”

“…Addition of estrogen to an inseminate causes release of prostaglandin from the endometrium and uterine contractions (Claus, 1990). Exogenous prostaglandin given at insemination increases uterine contractions (Willenburg et al, 2003;Langendijk et al, 2005) and improves fertility (Pena et al, 2000;Peña et al, 2001;Willenburg et al, 2003;Kirkwood et al, 2007). To date, the use of exogenous prostaglandin has not been reported for improving FTS fertility while exogenous oxytocin increased FTS transport and fertility (Okazaki et al, 2014).…”

Effect of Cloprostenol Treatment at Artificial Insemination on Sow Fertility

“…What has not been adequately addressed is the potential source of the variable efficacy. Previous authors presenting data for a positive effect of PGF on sow fertility have attributed it to an effect on sperm transport, and possibly on time of ovulation (Pena et al. 1998, 2000; Horvat and Bilkei 2003; Kos and Bilkei 2004).…”

“…However, exogenous PGF administered either by injection (Pena et al. 1998) or included in the semen dose increased farrowing rates and, more variably, also litter size (Pena et al. 1998, 2000; Horvat and Bilkei 2003; Kos and Bilkei 2004).…”

“…It has been observed that hormone replacement with the PGF analogue cloprostenol will enhance uterine contractions, although semen backflow was increased (Langendijk et al 2002). However, exogenous PGF administered either by injection (Pena et al 1998) or included in the semen dose increased farrowing rates and, more variably, also litter size (Pena et al 1998(Pena et al , 2000Horvat and Bilkei 2003;Kos and Bilkei 2004). Although the mechanism was not determined, it is reasonable to assume that an effect of PGF will be mediated by an effect on sperm transport to the oviduct, although an effect on timing of ovulation cannot be completely ignored (Srikandakumar and Downey 1989).…”