Effect of the timing of OvuGel administration on reproductive performance in gilts sycnhronized for estrus

The objective of this thesis was to evaluate the effects of the time of OvuGel® administration on the timing of estrus and ovulation and fertility results in gilts synchronized for estrus by administering Matrix® for 14 d. Insemination must occur near the time of ovulation to achieve high fertility results, however, there is no practical method available to determine when ovulation occurs, and, therefore, sows and gilts are commonly inseminated 2 to 3 times over the course of the estrus period. Two exogenous hormones (Matrix® and OvuGel®) have been developed to aid in the process of estrus detection and insemination. Matrix® (Merck Animal Health, Summit, NJ) is an orally active progestogen that is used to synchronize estrus in gilts and OvuGel® (JBS United, Sheridan, IN) is a product that has been shown to synchronize ovulation in sows, allowing for a single fixed-time insemination to be used. A review of the literature relating to the timing of estrus and ovulation and the effects of Matrix® and OvuGel® administration on fertility results in gilts and sows was carried out. Overall, the findings of the review suggest that the timing of estrus and ovulation are highly variable in gilts and sows and could be dependent on a number of factors. In addition, the findings of the review suggest that gilts administered Matrix® had similar fertility results compared to gilts that were not administered Matrix®, and sows administered OvuGel® had similar fertility results compared to sows that were not administered OvuGel®. There has been no published research; however, evaluating the effect of OvuGel® administration in gilts on timing of estrus, ovulation, or fertility results. In a typical commercial situation, groups of gilts are in estrus and ovulating at different times, however, Matrix® administration would facilitate the use of OvuGel® and fixed-time insemination in a group of gilts. Little is known, however, of the effect of Matrix® administration in combination with OvuGel® administration and fixed-time insemination on either the timing of estrus and ovulation or fertility results in gilts. A study was carried out, therefore, to determine the effect of the time of OvuGel® administration on timing of estrus and ovulation and fertility results in gilts synchronized for estrus using Matrix®. This study showed that the timing of OvuGel® administration had a significant effect on both the timing of estrus and ovulation and on subsequent pregnancy and farrowing rates and litter size. Further research is needed to establish the optimum time for administration of OvuGel® in gilts that have been synchronized for estrus.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Animal Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Gesing, Leah

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ellis, Michael
• Knox, Robert
• Shipley, Clifford
• Peterson, Beau

• Fertility
• Estrus
• Ovulation
• OvuGel®
• Gilt

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2015 Leah Gesing

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/78296

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/78296