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Multi-Farm Analyses Indicate a Novel Boar Pheromone Improves Sow Reproductive Performance
John J McGlone1,2, Arlene Garcia3, Anoosh Rakhshandeh4
1Laboratory of Animal Behavior, Physiology and Welfare, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA. john.mcglone@ttu.edu.
Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI
|January 30, 2019
Summary
A novel 3-molecule boar pheromone, BOARBETTER (BB), significantly improved sow reproductive performance. BB increased total born and pigs born alive, particularly in younger sows, enhancing overall herd productivity.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Reproductive Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Sow reproductive efficiency is crucial for swine production profitability.
- Optimizing breeding, conception, and farrowing rates directly impacts herd performance.
- Novel solutions are sought to enhance litter size and reduce reproductive losses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of a new 3-molecule boar pheromone, BOARBETTER (BB), on key sow reproductive parameters.
- To assess the impact of BB on breeding, conception, farrowing rates, and litter characteristics.
- To determine if BB offers a cost-effective and safe method for improving sow performance.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis was conducted using data from 12 commercial swine farms.
- Each farm served as the experimental unit for meta-analysis.
- Individual sow records were analyzed to assess the effects of BB compared to a control (CON).
Main Results:
- BOARBETTER significantly increased total pigs born per litter (14.30 vs. 13.81) and pigs born alive per litter (13.13 vs. 12.76).
- A significant parity by treatment interaction was observed; BB enhanced litter size in sows of parities one through three.
- No significant effect of BB was found in sows of parities four through six for these parameters.
Conclusions:
- BOARBETTER effectively improves sow reproductive success, leading to a higher number of pigs born alive.
- The positive effects of BB are most pronounced in younger sows (parities 1-3).
- BB presents a safe, cost-effective, and valuable tool for enhancing sow reproductive performance in commercial swine operations.
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