[Incidence of MMA after prostaglandin-induced parturition (author's transl)]

In a sowherd suffering from high incidence of MMA which demanded an intensive postparturient treatment to reduce baby pig mortality the effect on postparturient diseases of induction of parturition with Prostaglandin was examined. After treatment of 19 sows on day 112 of gestation with 12.5 mg Prostaglandin, parturition in 15 sows took place on an average of 25 hours after injection; the gestation period was 113.1 +/- 0.5 days. Three sows that did not respond to the treatment farrowed 3-6 days after treatment and one sow farrowed few hours after treatment. In a non-treated identical group of animals the gestation period averaged 113.4 +/- 1.5 days. No difference was found between the two groups concerning number of stillborn pgis, baby pig mortality within first eight days of life, incidence of MMA or intensity of postparturient medical treatment.