日粮能量对初情期前母猪胰岛素及生长激素分泌的影响

日粮能量水平对母猪的发情、受胎、胚胎发育和存活以及仔猪初生重和断奶重等繁殖性能有重要影响.试验研究能量影响初情期前母猪胰岛素及生长激素分泌变化,从而探明能量影响初情期前母猪生殖机能的机制,为生产提供依据.     

日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响

试验旨在研究不同日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响。选择20头日龄(30±2)d、体重(2.5±0.6)kg、健康的断奶五指山母猪,随机分为2个处理,分别为NRC组(标准组:饲喂基础日粮,按正常的后备母猪饲喂标准量投放饲料)和0.7 NRC组(限饲组:按NRC组70%的投饲量投喂),每个处理10个重复,每个重复1头猪,试验期10周。结果表明,断奶后6~10周时NRC组体重显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05);NRC组平均日增重显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05);日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期日龄有显著影响(P<0.05),限饲(0.7 NRC)可延缓五指山母猪发情期启动;0.7 NRC组母猪初情期时背膘厚度显著低于NRC组(P<0.05),初情期时0.7 NRC组母猪背膘厚度降低39.7%左右;初情期时,NRC组血清中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二酮(E₂)和瘦素(Leptin)含量均显著高于0.7 NRC组(P<0.05)。由此可知,提高日粮能量水平有利于母猪初情期的启动和发情表现。     

日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响

试验旨在研究不同日粮能量水平对五指山猪生长性能、初情期启动及血清激素含量的影响。选择20头日龄(30±2)d、体重(2.5±0.6)kg、健康的断奶五指山母猪,随机分为2个处理,分别为NRC组(标准组:饲喂基础日粮,按正常的后备母猪饲喂标准量投放饲料)和0.7NRC组(限饲组:按NRC组70%的投饲量投喂),每个处理10个重复,每个重复1头猪,试验期10周。结果表明,断奶后6~10周时NRC组体重显著高于0.7NRC组(P0.05);NRC组平均日增重显著高于0.7NRC组(P0.05);日粮能量水平对五指山猪初情期日龄有显著影响(P0.05),限饲(0.7NRC)可延缓五指山母猪发情期启动;0.7NRC组母猪初情期时背膘厚度显著低于NRC组(P0.05),初情期时0.7NRC组母猪背膘厚度降低39.7%左右;初情期时,NRC组血清中卵泡刺激素(FSH)、黄体生成素(LH)、雌二酮(E2)和瘦素(Leptin)含量均显著高于0.7NRC组(P0.05)。由此可知,提高日粮能量水平有利于母猪初情期的启动和发情表现。     

能量水平及来源对后备母猪体成分、初情日龄和发情表现的影响

本文旨在研究不同能量水平和来源对后备母猪体成分、初情日龄和发情表现的影响.选用(147±3)日龄、平均体重(59.0±4.2)kg的长白×大白(LY)杂交母猪54头,随机分成6个处理,每个处理9个重复,每个重复1头猪.采用3×2双因子试验设计,设3个能量水平,中能量水平参照NRC(1998)推荐量,低、高能量水平在此基础上减少和增加12.5%,每个能量水平下设2个能量来源,淀粉组和油脂组.母猪于第2情期的第19天屠宰.结果表明,高能组背膘厚、体脂含量、瘦肉含量和脂肪/瘦肉显著高于低能组(P<0.05),淀粉组与脂肪组间差异不显著(P>0.05);发情率随能量水平增加而提高;各能量水平组间初情日龄差异不显著(P>0.05),而脂肪组初情期日龄比淀粉组提前12 d左右(P<0.05).体成分分析发现,背膘厚,体脂含量与发情率之间存在极显著正相关关系(R2值分别为0.998和0.952,P<0.01),发情母猪背膘厚,体脂含量极显著高于乏情母猪(P<0.01).由以上结果可知,后备母猪饲喂高能量并添加脂肪的日粮有利于促进后备母猪初情期启动及发情表现;后备母猪的背膘厚、体脂含量与发情率密切相关.     

镰刀菌毒素对母猪繁殖性能的影响及其作用途径

镰刀菌毒素玉米赤霉烯酮(zearalenonc,ZEA)和脱氧雪腐镰刀菌烯醇(deoxynivalenol,DON)是普遍存在于饲料中的优势污染霉菌毒素.ZEA具有雌激素样作用,可通过影响颗粒细胞激素的分泌和细胞增殖、干扰卵母细胞减数分裂的正常进行,降低卵母细胞质量,进而影响初情期前母猪的发情和妊娠母猪的繁殖性能.体内、外研究均发现DON具有降低卵母细胞和胚胎发育的能力.尽管没有临床症状,但组织病理学发现,饲喂含高浓度镰刀菌污染的小麦将导致妊娠母猪脾脏和肝脏的损伤,导致胎儿肝糖原升高和线粒体损伤.初情期前的小母猪对浓度DON>ZEA的饲粮较妊娠母猪更为敏感.镰刀菌毒索还会增加泌乳母猪的断奶-发情间隔时间.     

母猪几种常见繁殖障碍症的治疗

1初情期迟缓生长发育正常的大型后备母猪,若7月龄后仍未见发情,即可视为初情期迟缓。主要由卵巢发育不全,异性刺激不够,饲养管理不当,安静发情引起。对发情迟缓的母猪,可根据不同情况采取不同的措施。体况瘦弱的母猪应加强营养,短期优饲,补     

能量影响初情期前母猪生殖机能的机理

日粮能量通过代谢激素:生长激素、胰岛素、瘦素(Leptin)、甲状腺素、IGF-Ⅰ以及葡萄糖等代谢信号为媒介,影响垂体促性腺激素分泌;此外,也可直接作用于卵巢,影响性腺激素分泌及卵巢发育。能量负平衡时,GH脉冲的频率和振幅提高,而血浆IGF-Ⅰ被抑制。Leptin浓度在短期限饲或禁饲时都低于正常组。胰岛素及Leptin在初情期前母猪生殖机能有重要作用,胰岛素是营养代谢与母猪生殖机能相互作用的一个媒介,IGF能够长期影响母猪生殖机能,甲状腺激素对初情期前母猪生殖机能有影响,因此能量通过代谢激素影响初情期前母猪生殖机能。     

后备母猪营养需求及饲养

<正>后备母猪营养需要解决的关键问题包括启动初情期;二、三情期发情率,发情的整齐度;卵巢和子宫健康、卵母细胞质量;配种率和骨骼发育。2后备母猪营养方案(见表1)3后备母猪的饲1后备母猪营养需要解决养管理技术的关键问题3.1后备母猪饲喂策略(见     

后备母猪初情期启动分子营养调控机制的研究进展

后备母猪种质的好坏直接影响着规模化猪场的非生产天数的多少,其中能量、蛋白质和维生素对后备母猪初情期启动机制影响很大,因此可通过精准营养供给模式合理调控后备母猪初情期启动过程。本文对影响后备母猪初情期启动的因素以及分子营养对初情期启动机制的调控进行综述,旨在为规模化猪场后备母猪营养调控提供技术参考。     

短期限饲对初情期前母猪和初产母猪繁殖机能的影响

作者探讨短期限饲对初情期前母猪和初产母猪繁殖机能的影响及其机理。当体重和脂肪与肌肉比例无变化,短期限饲影响初情期前母猪卵巢繁殖功能。葡萄糖和胰岛素在初情期前母猪繁殖机能中有重要作用。胰岛素是营养与繁殖之间的一个媒介。无内源性激素影响时,短期限饲调节卵巢繁殖功能。在限饲期间,促性腺激素在白天出现明显节奏性释放。短期限饲通过胰岛素影响初产母猪卵泡发育、断奶后发情间隔和排卵率。胰岛素是营养与胚胎存活率之间的介质。短期限饲由于限饲时间不同对初产母猪胚胎存活率影响也不同。分析营养与繁殖机能关系,调节营养使母猪发挥最大繁殖潜力,促进养猪业发展。     

Effect of dietary organic and inorganic selenium on antioxidant status, embryo development, and reproductive performance in hyperovulatory first-parity gilts

This project aimed to determine the effect of Se as inorganic Na-selenite (MSe) or organic Se-yeast (OSe) on antioxidant status, hormonal profile, reproductive performance, and embryo development in first-parity gilts. Forty-nine gilts were allocated to 1 of the 3 dietary treatments starting at first pubertal estrus and lasting up to 30 d after AI: control [CONT: basal diet (Se = 0.2 mg/kg) without added Se; n = 16], MSe (CONT + 0.3 mg/kg of MSe; n = 16), and OSe (CONT + 0.3 mg/kg of OSe; n = 17). Blood was collected from all gilts on the day after each onset of estrus and on d 30 after AI. Blood was also collected daily from d -4 to d +4 of the third onset of estrus (d 0) in 8 CONT, 9 MSe, and 8 OSe cannulated gilts. Gilts had received, after d 14 and 15 of their third estrus, a hormonal challenge to induce super-ovulation. At slaughter, embryos and corpora lutea (CL) were weighed and measured. Blood Se was less (P < 0.01) in CONT than in Se gilts and greater in OSe than in MSe (P < 0.01) from the first estrus until d 30 of gestation. At the same time, blood Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) decreased for CONT gilts, whereas it increased for both Se groups. The increase was greater in MSe than in OSe gilts (treatment × time, P = 0.02). Plasma 3,3',5-triiodothyronine and thyroxine concentrations for MSe tended to be less than for OSe gilts (P < 0.06). In cannulated gilts, plasma FSH tended to change among treatments (treatment × time, P = 0.06), and plasma estradiol-17β (E(2)) was less (P = 0.01) for MSe than for OSe. There was no treatment effect on mean litter size or embryonic antioxidant status. The Se content of individual embryos was greater for Se-treated than for CONT gilts (P = 0.03), and Se content of individual embryos and total litter was greater for OSe than for MSe gilts (P < 0.01). The length, weight, and protein content of embryos were greater in OSe than in MSe gilts (P < 0.05). There was no treatment effect on weight, length, Se content, and ferric reducing antioxidant power of CL, but GSH-Px in CL was greater for Se than for CONT gilts (P = 0.02). In summary, the Se status response of gilts to dietary Se was affected by both the quantity and the source of Se dietary supplements. Moreover, the uterine transfer of Se to embryos was improved with OSe as compared with MSe, and this was concomitant with an enhanced development of embryos.     

The influence of premating feed intake on the reproductive performance of gilts.

In an attempt to improve the reproductive performance of gilts mated at puberty, 70 Yorkshire x Landrace gilts were allocated at 120 d of age and 60 kg body weight to one of two treatments. Restricted gilts were fed 2.0 kg d-1 of a diet formulated to provide 18% crude protein and 14.5 MJ DE kg-1 from selection until mated at their first estrus (n = 35). Flushed gilts were fed 2.0 kg d-1 of the same diet from 120 to 150 d of age, but then had their feed intake increased to 3.5 kg d-1 until mated at their first estrus (n = 35). An additional group of gilts (control fed; n = 33) were fed 3.0 kg d-1 from selection until they were bred at their third estrus in order to investigate the influence of feed restriction on the onset of puberty. During gestation all gilts were fed 1.8 to 2.2 kg d-1 of a 16.8% crude protein diet having 13.7 MJ DE kg-1. Control fed gilts were younger (p less than 0.05) at puberty (150 d) than restricted (165 d) or flushed gilts (165 d). There was no difference in subsequent litter size between the restricted and flushed gilts (7.7 and 8.0, respectively). It is concluded that the institution of a flushing nutritional regime in the prepubertal period will not enhance piglet production from gilts mated at puberty.     

Enhancement of ovulation rate in gilts by increasing dietary energy and administering insulin during follicular growth

Two experiments were conducted to examine influences of dietary energy and insulin on ovulation rate and patterns of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), glucose, insulin and estradiol in gilts during 6 d before estrus. In Exp. 1, 36 gilts were given altrenogest for 14 d to synchronize estrus. In a factorial arrangement, gilts were fed one of two levels of dietary energy (5,771 or 9,960 kcal metabolizable energy (ME)/d), and given one of two levels of porcine insulin (0 or .1 IU/kg body weight iv every 6 h). Dietary treatments began 4 d before and insulin treatments began 1 d after the last day of altrenogest, respectively, and lasted until 24 h after estrus. Main effect means for number of corpora lutea were 14.0 +/- 1.3 and 17.6 +/- .9 for 5,771 and 9,960 kcal ME (P less than .05), and 14.6 +/- 1.0 and 17.0 +/- .9 for 0 and .1 IU insulin (P less than .05). Number of LH peaks on d 3 was greater for gilts that received 9,960 kcal than 5,771 kcal (3.3 +/- .2 vs 2.7 +/- .2; P less than .05), and for .1 than 0 IU insulin (3.2 +/- .2 vs 2.7 +/- .2; P less than .05). During the first 24 h of sampling, concentrations of LH and FSH were greater (P less than .05) in gilts receiving 9,960 kcal ME plus insulin than for other treatment combinations. Concentrations of estradiol were not affected by treatments. In Exp. 2, two formulations of insulin were evaluated for influence on ovulation rate. All gilts received altrenogest and 9,960 kcal ME/d as in Exp. 1. Then on the first day after altrenogest, seven gilts each received short-acting insulin (as in Exp. 1), long-acting insulin (zinc suspension, 1.0 IU/kg body weight every 18 to 24 h), or served as controls. Ovulation rates were increased (P less than .05) by both insulin preparations (15.6, control; 19.1, short-acting; 18.5, long-acting; SE = 1.2). Concentrations of LH tended to be greater after short-acting insulin, but differences were not significant (P = .13). We conclude that increases in ovulation rate produced by dietary energy and insulin are not necessarily accompanied by changes in gonadotropins or estradiol.     

Effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with altrenogest

We previously reported that ovulation rate, but not pregnancy rate or litter size at d 30 after mating, was enhanced by treatment with P.G. 600 (400 IU of PMSG and 200 IU of hCG, Intervet America, Inc., Millsboro, DE) in gilts fed the orally active progestin, altrenogest (Matrix, Intervet America, Inc.) to synchronize estrus. We hypothesized that in addition to increasing ovulation rate, P.G. 600 may have altered the timing of ovulation. Therefore, mating gilts 12 and 24 h after first detection of estrus, as is common in the swine industry, may not have been the optimal breeding regimen, and as a consequence, pregnancy rate and litter size were not altered. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with altrenogest. Randomly cycling, crossbred gilts (5.5 mo old, 117 kg BW, and 14.7 mm of backfat) were fed a diet containing altrenogest (15 mg/d) for 18 d. Twenty-four hours after altrenogest withdrawal, gilts received i.m. injections of P.G. 600 (n = 25) or saline (n = 25). Gilts were checked for estrus at 8-h intervals. After first detection of estrus, transrectal ultrasonography was performed at 8-h intervals to determine the time of ovulation. Gilts were killed 9 to 11 d after the onset of estrus to determine ovulation rate. All gilts displayed estrus by 7 d after treatment with P.G. 600 or saline. Compared with saline, P.G. 600 increased (P = 0.07) ovulation rate (14.8 vs. 17.5, respectively; SE = 1.1). The intervals from injection to estrus (110.9 vs. 98.4; SE = 2.7 h; P < 0.01) and injection to ovulation (141.9 vs. 128.6; SE = 3.2 h; P < 0.01) were greater in gilts treated with saline than in gilts treated with P.G. 600. Duration of estrus (54.4 vs. 53.7; SE = 2.5 h), the estrus-to-ovulation interval (30.2 vs. 31.7; SE = 2.2 h), and the time of ovulation as a percentage of estrus duration (55.8 vs. 57.5; SE = 3.0%) did not differ for the P.G. 600 and saline-injected gilts, respectively. In summary, P.G. 600 advanced the onset of estrus and ovulation following termination of altrenogest treatment and increased ovulation rate; however, treatment of gilts with P.G. 600 had no effect on the timing of ovulation relative to the onset of estrus.     

Endocrine changes associated with a dietary-induced increase in ovulation rate (flushing) in gilts

Effects of an increased level of dietary energy (flushing) on plasma concentrations of FSH, LH, insulin, progesterone and estradiol-17 beta and ovulation rate were studied in 16 gilts. Gilts received 5,400 kcal ME/d for one estrous cycle and the first 7 d of a second. On d 8 of the second estrous cycle, gilts received either 5,400 kcal ME/d (control [C], n = 8) or 11,000 kcal ME/d (flushed [F], n = 8) for the remainder of the estrous cycle. Blood was collected daily at 15-min intervals for 6 h from d 8 through estrus. Gilts were examined by laparotomy 6 d after estrus. Ovulation rate was greater (P less than .05) in F than C gilts (16.0 vs 9.4). Mean daily concentrations of FSH were greater (P less than .05) in F gilts at 5 d, 4 d and 3 d prior to estrus compared with C females. In both C and F gilts, FSH decreased (P less than .05) prior to estrus. Mean daily concentrations of LH and LH pulse amplitude were not different (P greater than .05) between treatments. Mean number of LH pulses/6 h at 4 d, 3 d and 2 d prior to estrus were greater (P less than .05) in F than in C gilts. In both treatments, LH pulse amplitude decreased (P less than .05) and pulse frequency increased (P less than .07) prior to estrus. Mean plasma concentrations of insulin tended to be higher (P less than .07) in F than in C females during the 7-d period before estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Level of dietary energy during prepubertal growth and reproductive development of gilts.

Development of gilts that conceive early and continue to produce offspring is a primary objective of swine production. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of feed restriction during development required to optimize reproductive performance and efficiency in gilts. The effects that various patterns of growth had on reproductive development and performance of gilts through d 30 of gestation were investigated. At 13 wk of age and 41 kg BW, 192 white crossbred gilts were penned individually and assigned to receive 87.5%, 75%, 62.5%, and 50% of predicted ad libitum energy intake. The study was replicated in two seasons. At 25 wk of age, gilts were moved to group pens and allowed ad libitum access to feed, and estrous detection was initiated. Gilts were inseminated at first observed estrus and those recycling were remated. Post-mating gilts were fed 1.5x maintenance in stalls. Gilts that did not return to estrus 17 to 30 d after mating were slaughtered at 30 d of gestation. Reproductive tracts were collected and numbers of corpora lutea and live embryos were recorded. Feed restriction during development resulted in differences in BW and backfat thickness at the start of the breeding period and differences in feed intake during breeding. Gilts subjected to the greatest feed restriction during development consumed the greatest quantity of feed during breeding. Feed intake during breeding was associated with BW and backfat gain during breeding. The treatment group that entered breeding lightest and leanest (50% of predicted ad libitum intake) had the least number of days to first estrus, followed by the fattest, heaviest group (87.5% of predicted ad libitum intake). Treatment groups did not differ (P > 0.38) in ovulation rate or live embryo numbers. Significant relationships between quantity of GE consumed during development and variables considered important in reproductive development and performance were evident, such as BW and fatness at start of breeding and first detected estrus, and ovulation rate. Variation in dietary energy during the development period impacted many aspects of reproductive development and performance. However, coupling restricted energy intake during development with ad libitum intake during breeding negated many of the effects of feed restriction during the development period.     

Influence of growth rate and onset of boar contact on puberty attainment of replacement gilts raised in Thailand

This study aimed to investigate the influence of growth rate and onset of boar contact on age at first observed estrus of the replacement gilts raised in Thailand. In total, 766 gilts were measured for body weight and backfat thickness prior to insemination. Body weight was further calculated for growth rate. Estrus detection was performed twice a day by back pressure test with an existence of mature boars with high libido. The first date of boar exposure and that of first observed estrus were individually recorded. Due to growth rate, they were classified into three groups: high (>700 g/day), moderate (600–700 g/day), and low (<600 g/day). According to onset of boar contact, the gilts were grouped into two categories: early (<150 days) and late (≥150 days). The results revealed that the gilts expressed first observed estrus, averagely, at age 205.1?±?34.1 days, had a growth rate of 615.5?±?57.6 g/day, and first contact with boars at 160.7?±?19.9 days of age. The gilts with low growth rate expressed first estrus later than those with moderate (208.6?±?2.0 vs 198.0?±?3.2 days, P?=?0.033) and high growth rate (208.6?±?2.0 vs 193.9?±?6.7 days, P?=?0.005) groups. Together with the influence of boar exposure, the gilts contacted boar earlier with high growth rate showed first estrus at age 180.3?±?10.1 days, whereas those with later boar contact with low growth rate showed first estrus at age 197.9?±?3.2 days. In summary, the replacement gilts should have high growth rate and contact boar early to attain puberty faster and possess decent subsequent reproductive performance.     

Comparison of in vitro development of embryos collected from the same gilts at first and third estrus

In vitro development of embryos collected from the same gilts mated at first and third estrus was compared. Embryos from one to eight cells were collected from gilts 36 to 48 h after detection of estrus. Embryos were cultured for 8 d in Whitten's medium in a humidified atmosphere of 5% CO2 in air at 37 degrees C and were observed daily. No differences were detected among percentages of one- to eight-cell embryos developing into morulae from gilts in first or third estrus (P greater than .05). Similar percentages of one- to two-cell embryos from gilts mated at first and third estrus developed into blastocysts (45.8 and 55.2%, respectively), expanded blastocysts (10.4 and 24.1%, respectively) and hatching blastocysts (4.2 and 3.4%, respectively; P greater than .05). Fewer three- to eight-cell embryos from gilts in first estrus than from gilts in third estrus developed into blastocysts (63.4 and 91.1%) and expanded blastocysts (14.6 and 55.6%; P less than .01). Similar percentages of embryos with abnormal morphology were observed among morulae developing from one- to eight-cell embryos collected from gilts mated at first and third estrus (14.9 and 9.9%, respectively; P greater than .05). In contrast, more morphologically abnormal embryos were observed among blastocysts developing from gilts mated at first estrus than at third estrus (31.2% and 14.0%, respectively; P less than .05). The results suggest that the reduced in vitro development of embryos collected from gilts mated at first estrus may be due to an aberration in blastocoel formation and expansion.     

Effect of feed intake during late development on pubertal onset and resulting body composition in crossbred gilts.

A total of 105 nonboar-exposed, F2 ([Landrace x Yorkshire] x Duroc) gilts were used in two replicates of a randomized complete block experiment to evaluate the effect of dietary feed intake on pubertal onset and subsequent body composition. Feed intakes were established at 50% of ad libitum (AL-50), 75% of ad libitum (AL-75), or at ad libitum (AL-100) levels from 4.5 to 9 mo of age. A corn-soybean meal diet fed to all gilts was formulated to meet or exceed nutrient requirements except for energy. Puberty was measured by two methods: 1) monitored once daily by back pressure applied by the herdsman or 2) from elevated plasma progesterone concentrations. Body composition was evaluated by the deuterium oxide method after plasma progesterone concentrations were elevated. Daily feed intake for the experimental period averaged 1.6, 2.3, and 3.2 kg, and the BW of gilts at 8 mo of age were 111, 131, and 154 kg for the AL-50, AL-75, and AL-100 groups, respectively. Body weight, backfat thickness, and body fat content increased linearly (P < .01) as feed intake increased, but age at puberty was not severely influenced. A minimum body fat content or percentage did not seem to initiate pubertal onset. There was a trend for a lower percentage of the AL-50 gilts to ovulate (P = .08) than those fed the AL-75 and AL-100 intakes. An inverse relationship resulted between the percentage of gilts that ovulated to the percentage that showed behavioral estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Steroids and plasminogen activator concentrations in follicular fluid of gilts at first and third estrus.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether morphological and functional characteristics of follicles differed at a similar stage of pubertal (first) and third estrus in the same gilts. Nine prepubertal gilts were checked three times daily for estrus and laparotomized 6 h after detected first and third estrus. Samples of vena cava and ovarian venous blood were collected, follicle numbers and diameters were recorded, and follicular fluid (FF) was aspirated from all follicles 8 to 12 mm in diameter. Sera and(or) FF were analyzed for progesterone (P4), estradiol-17 beta (E2), testosterone (T), androstenedione (A4), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), plasminogen activator (PA), and plasmin (PLM). Overall mean number of follicles > or = 8 mm in diameter did not differ between gilts at first and third estrus (P > .05) but gilts at first estrus had more follicles 4 to 8 (P < .05) and 8.1 to 10 mm in diameter (P < .01) and fewer 10.1 to 12 mm in diameter (P < .07) than at third estrus. Mean FF concentrations of E2, T, and A4 at third estrus were significantly greater than at first estrus, whereas FF concentrations of P4, DHT, PA, and PLM were similar at first and third estrus (P > .05). Mean concentrations of E2 in systemic and ovarian venous sera were also greater in gilts at third than at first estrus (both P < .05). Systemic concentrations of P4 in gilts at first and third estrus did not differ (P > .05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)