Effect of oxytocin administration at different time points during parturition on the farrowing process in sows

Abstract

Oxytocin is commonly used to shorten farrowing duration in sows. Therefore, determining the optimal time for this application is necessary. This study investigated the effects of oxytocin administration at different time points during parturition on the stillbirth rate, birth interval and farrowing duration to determine the optimal moment of this application in crated sows. The information on 1914 piglets born after oxytocin administration at different time points was collected. The three studied parameters in different groups were compared. The results showed that the stillbirth rate was minimized when oxytocin was used after the birth of the 5th and before the birth of the 8th piglets. The birth interval was the shortest when the oxytocin was used after the birth of the 5th piglet and before the birth of the 9th piglet. The farrowing duration was the shortest when the oxytocin was used after the birth of the 6th piglet and before the birth of the 8th piglet. In conclusion, if oxytocin is destined to be used during parturition, it should be used after the birth of the 6th piglet and before the birth of the 8th piglet to minimize the stillbirth rate and to shorten birth interval and farrowing duration.