Effect of P.G. 600 on rebreeding performance in sows limit-fed during lactation

The objective was to determine whether treatment with 400 IU PMSG and 200 IU hCG (P.G. 600; Intervet America, Inc., Millsboro, DE, USA) at weaning improved rebreeding performance in sows that were limit-fed during lactation. Crossbred sows were allowed ad libitum access to feed or were limited to 3.2 kg of feed/day during an 18-day lactation. At weaning, limit-fed sows received im treatment with P.G. 600 (n = 16) or saline (n = 19) and ad libitum-fed sows received saline (n = 18). The percentage of sows in estrus by day 7 post-weaning was greater (p<0.05), and the weaning-to-estrus interval was shorter (p<0.05), for ad libitum-fed sows compared to limit-fed, saline-treated sows, with limit-fed, P.G. 600-treated sows having intermediate values that were not different from the other two groups. The percentage of sows pregnant and the numbers of corpora lutea and embryos at day 30 post-mating were not different (p>0.1) among groups. In summary, low feed intake during lactation decreased the percentage of sows that displayed estrus within 7 days after weaning and increased the weaning-to-estrus interval. These effects were at least partially remediated by gonadotropin treatment. Pregnancy rate, and litter size at day 30 of gestation, were similar for ad libitum- and limit-fed sows and not affected by P.G. 600 treatment in limit-fed sows.