Effects of betaine and heat stress on lactation and post-weaning reproductive performance on sows
Heat stress has multiple negative impacts on animal metabolism and physiology and is thought to cost the swine industry more than $360 million per year (St-Pierre et al., 2003). Heat stress can impair the ovarian function as seen on most…
Investigating hyperinsulinemia and increased circulating lipopolysaccharide involvement in seasonal infertility
Heat stress (HS) is a major economic strain for the US swine industry. In terms of reproduction, seasonal infertility is associated with HS, characterized by lengthened wean-to-estrus interval (WEI), increased spontaneous abortions and increased number of rebreeds. Unfortunately, there is…
Effect of GnRH-II on reproductive efficiency and productivity of first parity sows
Although never investigated, gonadotropin-releasing hormone II (GnRH-II) may be associated with the interaction between nutritional status and reproduction in swine. Therefore, we examined the role of GnRH-II in return to estrus following lactation of first parity sows. The objectives of…