Post-mortem examination of genital organs from sows with reproductive disturbances in a sow-pool

Over a period of approx. 15 months, post-mortem (PM) examinations were made on genital organs (34 gilts and 81 sows) from a sow-pool with reproductive disturbances. Anamnestic data on the animals included information about parity number, date of farrowing, dates of weaning, oestrus and service, and cause of culling. At the PM examination, the macroscopic appearance of the ovaries (follicles, corpora lutea, cysts) and uterus (content, endometrium) were studied. Specimens from the endometrium was examined histologically. The most common reason for culling was repeat breeding (67%), in most cases at irregular intervals. The non-productive period averaged 82 days in sows (weaning to slaughter) and 151 days in gilts (from 1st day of mating until slaughter). In 49.6% of the sows no pathological changes were found. Macroscopic examination of the ovaries in 108 animals showed that 69% were cycling normally, 17% were anoestral and 14% had multiple follicular cysts (7 animals were not included due to ovo-testis [1 case], pregnancy [3 cases] and with signs of recent abortion [3 cases]). As judged from the histological examination, 27% of the animals had endometritis, which was classified as mild in 50% of them. Anoestral animals had a higher incidence of endometritis (61%) than animals showing cyclic ovarian activity (19%). This indicates that ovarian inactivity is of importance for the development of endometritis. It was concluded that post-mortem examination of genital organs from animals with reproductive problems is a valuable diagnostic tool. The anamnestic data together with the PM results indicated that management routines (oestrous detection, insemination, grouping at early pregnancy) needed to be changed.