Thin sow syndrome (TSS): the effect of amperozide

Sixty sows suffering from typical post-weaning TSS were divided into three groups: (1) 20 as negative controls (NC); (2) 20 as positive controls (PC) treated with vitamins, trace elements and antibiotics; and (3) 20 injected with amperozide (2 mg/kg body weight), a new neuroleptic compound with antistress and anxiolytic properties. Amperozide treated sows fully recovered (P less than 0.05) and 80% became pregnant, while figures for the PC and NC groups were only 15% and 10% respectively. Mortality was up to 50% in the NC, 40% in the PC and only 15% in the amperozide treated group (P less than 0.05). These field results warrant further studies in unravelling the aetiology and prevention of this condition.