Comparison of single, fixed-time artificial insemination in weaned sows using 2 different protocols to synchronize ovulation.

The present study evaluated 2 fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) techniques in sows in 2 herds. At weaning, sows were assigned to 1 of 3 treatment groups: Group 1 received intramuscular injections of 600 IU of equine chorionic gonadotropin followed 3 days later by 5 mg of porcine luteinizing hormone; Group 2 received a 200-μg intravaginal dose of triptorelin acetate 4 days post-weaning; and Group 3 were heat checked daily and double-mated when observed in heat. Groups 1 and 2 were bred once at a fixed-time independent of estrous behavior. Time of ovulation was monitored by ultrasound in a subset of sows from each group. Both FTAI techniques resulted in sows farrowing within short intervals, leading to the weaning of pigs that tended to be older and heavier compared with controls. The use of FTAI, however, was associated with a trend to reduced reproductive performance compared with controls in 1 herd.