Potential treatments for anestrus in gilts and sows

Pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (400 IU) combined with human chorionic gonadotrophin (200 IU) was administered to anestrous gilts (n=31) and sows (n=20) in commercial herds. Two-thirds of the treated animals were mated successfully within seven days and, although no control animals were included, the response indicated that this hormone combination would be useful in herds with anestrous problems. A second experiment was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of estrus and/or ovulations in prepuberal gilts (n=eight/treatment) following injection with pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin/human chorionic gonadotrophin or other hormones that might stimulate ovarian activity. The pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin/human chorionic gonadotrophin combination and follicle-stimulating hormone produced estrus within ten days of injection in at least half of the treated gilts but the response was lower with gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and a prostaglandin analogue. Combinations of human chorionic gonadotrophin with small amounts of estradiol benzoate stimulated estrus and ovulation in most of the treated gilts.