Induction of parturition in swine with prostaglandin analogs and oxytocin.

Two trials were conducted to increase the effectiveness of parturition induction with PG analogs. In trial 1, 39 sows were treated with the analog Luprostiol (Pronilen, Vemie/Kempen). Of these, 19 received an additional injection of 30 i.u. oxytocin 24 h later. In trial 2, 126 sows were divided into four groups, three of which were treated with the analog Alfaprostol (Vetem/Milano), while one served as control. Two of the PG-treated groups received an additional oxytocin injection either 24 or 20 h later, respectively. The response to either of the PG analogs resembled that observed during earlier studies although the percentage of sows responding was somewhat lower (70% and 77%, respectively). Oxytocin increased the number of respondents to 84 and 89%, respectively, and parturition commenced promptly. In trial 1, parturition started within 2.1+/-1.6 (0 to 5) h after oxytocin, in trial 2 within 1.57+/-1.06 (0.5 to 3) h when the interval between prostaglandin and oxytocin was 24 h, and 1.81+/-0.84 (0.5 to 3) h when it was 20 h (x+/-SD). Parturition and viability, birth weight and weaning weight of piglets were normal. The proportion of sows in trial 2 that showed increased body temperature during the first 3 days post partum was reduced from 22.9% in the control group to 8.6, 14.3 and 7.1% in the three groups receiving just PG or PG and oxytocin after 24 or 20 h, respectively.