Morphometric changes on the vulva from proestrus to oestrus of nulliparous and multiparous HYPERPROLIFIC sows

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether vulvar morphometric changes occurring in female pigs during proestrus and oestrus could be objective, accurate and predictive indicators of the onset to oestrus and thus performed artificial inseminations at the most appropriate time. For that purpose, pictures of vulvas from 60 hyperprolific females (30 gilts and 30 sows) during proestrus and oestrus were taken once a day. Vulva measurements (area, perimeter, length and width) on these pictures were performed using the image processing ImageJ software. Gilts and sows showed statistical differences (p