Effect of elevated ambient temperatures on puberty in gilts

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Reproductive Physiology
• Environmental Physiology

Background:

• Ambient temperature significantly influences livestock physiology and reproduction.
• Understanding heat stress effects is crucial for optimizing swine production and animal welfare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of elevated ambient temperature on the onset of puberty and physiological responses in gilts.
• To determine if season of birth affects gilt responses to heat stress.

Main Methods:

• Forty gilts were housed in controlled chambers and exposed to either control (15.6°C) or heat stress (33.3°C) conditions.
• Estrus detection, physiological measurements (rectal temperature, respiration rate), feed intake, water consumption, and body weight were monitored.
• Hormonal treatments were administered to gilts not reaching puberty by a specific age.

Main Results:

• Heat-stressed gilts exhibited significantly higher rectal temperatures and respiration rates compared to control gilts.
• Water consumption was significantly increased in gilts exposed to heat stress.
• No significant differences were observed in food intake, average daily gain (ADG), or the onset of puberty between control and heat-stressed gilts.
• Season of birth did not influence any of the measured parameters.

Conclusions:

• While heat stress elevates physiological indicators like temperature and respiration, it did not impede growth or pubertal development in gilts under these experimental conditions.
• Gilts increase water intake to cope with heat stress.
• Further research may be needed to explore long-term effects or different levels of heat stress on gilt reproductive success.