Effect of dosage of cloprostenol on induction of farrowing and body temperature of sows

In an experiment involving 161 farrowings, cloprostenol was injected on day 112 or 113 of gestation at the recommended dosage (175 μg) or a lower dosage (125 μg). Cloprostenol treatment did not result in abnormally high body temperatures of sows at parturition. Farrowing began within 29 hours of injection in 94% and 88% of the sows treated with 175 μg and 125 μg cloprostenol respectively, as compared to 15% of saline-injected controls. The duration of farrowing and number stillborn were not affected by treatment. Sows farrowing within 19 hours of treatment tended to have a large number of piglets and a higher body temperature postpartum.     

Multiple oxytocin application increases the predictability of prostaglandin induced farrowing in swine

In a large Croatian commercial unit, 1204 of parity 2-7 late pregnant sows were from January till Mai 2002 randomly assigned to four farrowing groups and treated as follows: Group one (n = 302 sows) received a single perivulvar injection of 175 g cloprostenol at day 113 of pregnancy. The remaining animals have received a treatment as group one and were additionally treated with 10 IU of oxytocin intramuscularly 6 hours after prostaglandin application (Group two, n = 311), or with 10 IU of oxytocin 6 and 12 hours later (Group three, n = 291), or 10 IU of oxytocin 6, 12 and 18 hours later (Group four, n = 300). Onset of farrowing, duration of parturition, total born litter size and stillbirth rate were evaluated. Except total born litter size, combined oxytocin + cloprostenol treated sows revealed significantly (p < 0.01) better results as the only with cloprostenol treated ones. Multiple oxytocin application increased the predictability of farrowing. The application of multiple oxytocin injections following prostaglandin partusinduction are recommended for batch farrowing of sows in large production units.     

Effect of Cloprostenol Treatment at Artificial Insemination on Sow Fertility

In two experiments, we examined the effect of administration of cloprostenol at artificial insemination on fertility of multiparous sows. Lactation length was 21 days and only sows exhibiting estrus by 7 days after weaning were included. Cloprostenol was administered by IM injection (175 microg; n=126) or supplemented in the semen dose (525 microg; n=129). Control sows (n=130) received no hormone. In either experiment, there was no effect of any treatment on subsequent litter sizes. In experiment 1, there was no effect of treatment on farrowing rate, but in experiment 2, farrowing rate was higher (p < 0.05) in sows receiving cloprostenol by injection. Taken together, these results indicate no consistent effect of cloprostenol administration by intramuscular injection or by inclusion in the semen dose on sow fertility and so its routine use is not warranted.     

Influence of Postpartum Cloprostenol Treatment in Sows on Subsequent Reproductive Performance under Field Conditions

During the previous decade several studies focused on postpartum treatment with prostaglandin for improvement of reproductive performance in sows. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of administration of a prostaglandin F_{2 α} (PGF_{2 α} ) analogue in sows within 24–48 h after farrowing on sow and litter performance. In five commercial farms, the sows were randomly assigned to either treatment A (2 ml cloprostenol, Planate^IM) or treatment B (2 ml physiological saline solution, i.m.). Fifteen per cent of all sows were at random selected for progesterone analysis. Litter performance was assessed by measuring pre-weaning mortality and average daily weight gain (ADG). Sow performance was assessed by measuring weaning-to-oestrus interval (WOI), the percentage of sows returning to oestrus and litter size during subsequent farrowing. Administration of a PGF_{2 α} analogue within 24–48 h postpartum had no effect on the rate of progesterone decline measured over 24 h compared with that of the controls. Litter performance and WOI were not affected by treatment. The subsequent litter size in sows of parity seven and more showed a significant difference of 1.98 piglets (p < 0.01) between both groups, to the benefit of the cloprostenol group. In conclusion, administration of a synthetic PGF_{2 α} analogue, cloprostenol, within 24–48 h after farrowing improved litter size at next farrowing in older (≥7 parity) sows.     

Induction of Abortion in Feedlot Heifers with a Combination of Cloprostenol and Dexamethasone

A field trial was conducted to assess the efficacy of a combined prostaglandin F₂α analogue (cloprostenol) and dexamethasone treatment as an abortifacient in feedlot heifers. Heifers were grouped according to stage of gestation as follows: Group I, one to four months, n = 37: group II, four to six months, n = 40: group III, six to eight months, n = 40: group IV, one to eight months, n = 29. Heifers in groups I, II and III received a simultaneous intramuscular injection of 500 μg cloprostenol and 25 mg dexamethasone at the time of rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis. Heifers in group IV were subjected to rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis but received no treatments. Heifers were observed daily for two weeks for abortion and rectal palpations were done 50 days after treatment to determine reproductive status.     

Circulating biomarkers associated with pelvic organ prolapse risk in late gestation sows

Sow mortality, as the result of pelvic organ prolapse (POP), has been increasing in the last decade in the U.S. swine industry. The objective of this study was to identify potential biological markers associated with risk of POP in sows. We hypothesized that sows differing in perineal score (PS) from PS1–PS3 (PS1—a presumed low POP risk; PS2—a presumed moderate POP risk; and PS3—a presumed high POP risk) would differ in circulatory biomarkers of inflammation and hormonal profiles. On gestation week 15, 2,864 individual sows were assigned a PS, and subsequently, 1.0%, 2.7%, and 23.4% of PS1, PS2, or PS3 sows, respectively, experienced POP. During PS assignment at days 107–116 of gestation, blood samples were collected from sows on two farms of similar genetics, feed sources, and health status. Whole blood was subjected to complete blood count (CBC) analysis (n = 212) and steroid hormones were measured in serum from a subset (n = 110) of animals assigned PS3 parity matched to PS1. Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatine kinase (CK) levels were also evaluated. Complete blood count analysis revealed decreased (P ≤ 0.05) mean platelet volume (3.9%), lymphocytes (6.5%), and monocytes (7.5%) in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Increased (P ≤ 0.02) abundance of androstenedione (13.4%), androsterone (18.2%), estrone (24.8%), and 17β-estradiol (26.2%) was observed in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. Additionally, a 25.8% increase (P = 0.04) in LBP in PS3 compared to PS1 sows was observed. Many dynamic physiological changes occur in sows during late gestation as they approach farrowing. The data presented herein demonstrate that distinct differences in concentrations of circulating biomarkers exist between late gestation sows at high or low risk for POP and may serve as a useful tool for understanding the etiology of POP and evaluation of mitigation strategies.     

Evaluation of the PATHFAST Chemiluminescent Enzyme Immunoassay for Measuring Progesterone in Whole Blood and Serum of Mares

Evaluation of a new chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay, the PATHFAST assay system (PATHFAST), for measurement of circulating progesterone in mares was performed. Five mares at the mid-luteal stage were administrated a single i.m. injection of prostaglandin F2α analog (PGF2α; cloprostenol 250 μg/ml), and then blood samples were collected from the jugular vein at 0, 15, 30 and 45 min, at one-hour intervals until 24 and at 48 hr via a catheter in the jugular vein. To monitor the physiological changes in circulating progesterone in mares after induced luteolysis, concentrations of progesterone in whole blood and serum samples were measured by PATHFAST. In addition, concentrations of progesterone in serum samples measured by PATHFAST were compared with those measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Using PATHFAST, the serum concentrations of progesterone in mares correlated highly with those of whole blood samples (r=0.9672, n=88). The serum concentrations of progesterone as measured by PATHFAST correlated well with RIA (r=0.9654, n=88) and EIA (r=0.9323, n=112). An abrupt decline in circulating progesterone in whole blood samples was observed within 2 hr (50%), followed by a gradual decline until 48 hr later. The results for progesterone in whole blood samples correlated highly with those in serum samples, and the declining pattern paralleled that of the serum samples. These results demonstrated that PATHFAST is useful in the equine clinic as an accurate diagnostic tool for rapid assay of progesterone within 26 min, using unextracted whole blood.     

Oxytocin precipitation of prostaglandin-induced farrowing in swine: determination of the optimal dose of oxytocin and optimal interval between prostaglandin F2 alpha and oxytocin

The influence of dose of oxytocin and the interval between prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha and oxytocin administration on the synchrony of farrowing, the prevalence of intrapartum complications, and the number of pigs dying perinatally was investigated. In study 1, sows were given 10 mg of PGF2 alpha IM on day 112, 113, or 114 of gestation or were not treated. Twenty hours after PGF2 alpha administration, sows were given 0, 5, 10, 20, or 30 USP U of oxytocin IM. Sows treated with PGF2 alpha or PGF2 alpha plus oxytocin had a shorter interval to farrowing than sows not treated or treated with oxytocin alone. Treatment with PGF2 alpha plus 30 U of oxytocin induced the most rapid onset and the greatest synchrony of farrowing, with the mean onset occurring 2.1 +/- 0.4 hours after oxytocin vs greater than 8 hours for all other treatments. Sows treated with 5 or 10 U of oxytocin had a delayed onset and a less synchronous farrowing, compared with sows treated with 0 or 20 U. Day of PGF2 alpha treatment influenced (P less than 0.05) the interval from oxytocin to onset of farrowing. As day during gestation decreased, there was a corresponding decrease in the interval between oxytocin administration and farrowing. Number of interventions to remove retained pigs was not influenced (P greater than 0.05) by day of PGF2 alpha administration. All sows treated with PGF2 alpha followed by oxytocin had a higher rate of manual interventions, compared with that in sows given PGF2 alpha but not oxytocin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Effects of Ethanol on Synthesis of Prostaglandin F2α in Bovine Females

Ethanol stimulates the production of prostaglandins in many species. The purpose of this study was to verify the effect of ethanol on the production of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) and luteolysis in bovine females. In the first experiment, Holstein cows at day 17 of the oestrous cycle were treated with 100% ethanol (0.05 ml/kg of body weight, IV; n = 5), saline (0.05 ml/kg of body weight, IV; n = 4) or synthetic prostaglandin (150 μg of D‐cloprostenol/cow, IM; n = 4). The plasma concentrations of 13, 14‐dihydro‐15‐keto PGF2α (PGFM; the main metabolite of PGF2α measured in the peripheral blood) were assessed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). There was an acute release of PGFM in response to ethanol comparing to other treatments (p ≤ 0.05). However, only cows treated with PGF2α underwent luteolysis. In the second experiment, endometrial explants of cross‐bred beef cows (n = 4) slaughtered at day 17 of the oestrous cycle were cultured for 4 h. During the last 3 h, the explants were cultured with medium supplemented with 0, 0.1, 1, 10 or 100 μl of 100% ethanol/ml. Medium samples were collected at hours 1 and 4 and concentrations of PGF2α were measured by RIA. Ethanol did not induce PGF2α production by the endometrium. In conclusion, ethanol does not cause luteolysis in cows because it stimulates production of PGF2α in extra‐endometrial tissues.     

Effects of cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water on behavior and performance of lactating sows under heat stress

This study was conducted to evaluate whether cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water could alleviate negative impacts of heat stress on lactating sows. Thirty sows (Landrace × Yorkshire, Parity = 1 to 6) were housed in individual farrowing stalls in two rooms with temperatures being controlled at 29.4°C (0700–1900 hours) and 23.9°C (1900–0700 hours). Sows in one room (Cool), but not in the other room (Control) were provided cooled floor pads (21–22°C) and chilled drinking water (13–15°C). Behavior of sows (15 sows/treatment) was video recorded during farrowing, and days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 after farrowing. Videos were viewed continuously to register the birth time of each piglet, from which total farrowing duration and birth intervals were calculated. The number of drinking bouts and the duration of each drinking bout were registered for each sow through viewing videos continuously for 2 h (1530–1730 hours) each video-recording day. Postures (lying laterally, lying ventrally, sitting, and standing) were recorded by scanning video recordings at 5-min intervals for 24 h each video-recording day, and time budget for each posture was calculated. Rectal temperature and respiration rate were measured for all sows the day before and after farrowing, and then once weekly. Sow and litter performance was recorded. Data were analyzed using the Glimmix procedure of SAS. The cooling treatment did not affect sow behavior or litter performance. Sows in the Cool room had lower rectal temperature (P = 0.03) and lower respiration rate (P < 0.001), consumed more feed (P = 0.03), tended to have reduced weight loss (P = 0.07), and backfat loss (P = 0.07) during lactation than sows in the Control room. As lactation progressed, sows increased drinking frequency (P < 0.001) and time spent lying ventrally (P < 0.0001), standing (P < 0.001), and sitting (P < 0.0001), and decreased time spent lying laterally (P < 0.0001) in both Cool and Control rooms. While cooled floor pads combined with chilled drinking water did not affect sow behavior, they did alleviate heat stress partially, as indicated by decreased rectal temperature, respiration rate, weight, and backfat loss, and increased feed intake in lactating sows.     

Altrenogest Treatment Associated with a Farrowing Induction Protocol to Avoid Early Parturition in Sows

This study investigated the effect of altrenogest treatment on the farrowing development of sows, and birth weight (BW) and piglet survival until the third day of life. Three control groups were used: (i) sows that farrowed spontaneously before 114 day of gestation (CONT <114); (ii) sows that spontaneously farrowed at ≥114 day of gestation (CONT ≥114); (iii) sows that farrowed at ≥114 day with cloprostenol treatment (CONTCLOPR). Other sows were treated with altrenogest (Regumate^®) for 3 days (days 111, 112 and 113 of gestation): one group gave birth spontaneously (ALT) and the other group received altrenogest until day 113 and cloprostenol on day 114 (ALTCLOPR). There were no differences (p > 0.05) in farrowing duration, BW, coefficient of variation (CV) of BW, stillborn piglets, mummified foetuses, percentage of light piglets and survival until Day 3 between sows with and without cloprostenol treatment, in both control (CONT ≥114 vs CONTCLOPR) and altrenogest‐treated sows (ALT vs ALTCLOPR). Further comparisons were performed taking into account three groups: sows with early delivery (CONT <114 – farrowing before 114 days of gestation; n = 56), sows with longer gestation (CONT ≥114 – with and without cloprostenol treatment sows; n = 103) and ALT sows (with and without cloprostenol treatment; n = 105). Gestation length of CONT ≥114 and ALT sows was similar (p > 0.05), but higher than in CONT <114 sows. There were no differences (p > 0.05) between groups in farrowing duration, CV of BW, and percentages of stillborn piglets and mummified foetuses. Sows of CONT <114 group had a larger litter size and a lower BW than sows of the other two groups (p < 0.05). Sows of CONT <114 group had a higher percentage of lighter piglets and a lower piglet survival rate (p < 0.05) than ALT sows. In conclusion, altrenogest treatment proved to be an efficient method to avoid early parturition in 3–5 parity sows resulting in heavier piglets at birth.     

Induction of Parturition in the Cow using Cloprostenol and Dexamethasone in Combination

Two experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that induction of parturition in the cow would be more predictable with the simultaneous use of a combination of cloprostenol and dexamethasone than with either hormone used alone.

In experiment I all 19 beef cows treated with 500 μg cloprostenol and 25 mg dexamethasone in combination calved within 72 hours whereas dexamethasone (n = 19) or cloprostenol (n = 16) treatments alone each resulted in two induction failures. In those cows successfully induced, the mean interval from treatment to birth was 34.6 ± 1.4 hours for the cloprostenol plus dexamethasone group, 43.3 ± 2.4 hours for the dexamethasone group and 44.9 ± 2.1 hours for the cloprostenol group. Control cows (n = 15) did not calve during the first 72 hours after treatment with saline. The incidence of retained placenta ranged from 19 to 53% in induced groups whereas placentae were not retained by cows in the control group.

In experiment II all 30 beef cows in the cloprostenol plus dexamethasone group calved within the 72 hour limit, with a mean interval of 39.1 ± 1.0 hours. Twenty-six of 31 cows calved within 72 hours with a mean interval of 51.9 ± 3.4 hours after a single injection of cloprostenol and 29 of 33 cows calved within 72 hours with a mean interval of 52.6 ± 3.3 hours after two injections of cloprostenol, 12 hours apart. Five of 34 control cows calved within 72 hours of time of treatment. The incidence of retained placenta was again high in induced cows. Results indicate that the simultaneous administration of cloprostenol and dexamethasone does constitute a safe, reliable and effective method of inducing parturition in the cow.

     

Prostaglandin-induced abortion in swine: endocrine changes and influence on subsequent reproductive activity

Gilts were treated during midgestation with prostaglandin (PG) F to study the efficacy of different treatment regimens on induction of abortion and to determine the adverse consequences of PGF-induced abortion in swine. In study 1, pregnant purebred Duroc gilts (60 to 90 days of gestation) were given (IM) 500 micrograms of cloprostenol (n = 12), 20 mg of dinoprost tromethamine (n = 11), or 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine repeated 12 hours later by an additional 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine (n = 11). The percentage of gilts that aborted and percentage of aborted gilts that returned to estrus for each treatment group were as follows: cloprostenol, 91.7% and 100%, respectively; 20 mg of dinoprost tromethamine, 36.4% and 25.0%, respectively; and 10 + 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine, 100% and 90.9%, respectively. Treatment with cloprostenol and with 10 + 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine caused more gilts to abort (P less than 0.01) than did treatment with 20 mg of dinoprost tromethamine. Gilts that did not abort were given a second treatment with 10 + 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine. When the abortions by gilts initially treated with 500 micrograms of cloprostenol or 10 + 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine were combined with those re-treated with 10 + 10 mg of dinoprost tromethamine, 32 of 33 (97.0%) gilts aborted, and 30 of the 32 (93.8%) aborted gilts returned to estrus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Immune response in sows given transmissible gastroenteritis virus or canine coronavirus

Twelve pregnant sows were inoculated oral-nasally 8 weeks before farrowing with attenuated transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), tissue culture-adapted canine coronavirus (CCV), or fluids from mock-infected culture (controls). A 2nd dose of the same inoculum, one-half oral-nasally and one-half intramammarily, was given 6 weeks later. Neutralizing antibodies for TGEV and CCV were demonstrated in sera, colostrum, and milk whey from the virus-vaccinated sows. Homologous geometric mean neutralizing titers were generally 4-fold higher than were heterologous titers. After challenge exposure of the nursing pigs with virulent TGEV, average morbidity and mortality for the pigs were 81% and 34% (mortality range = 11% to 63%), respectively, in the TGEV-vaccinated group; 83% and 39% (mortality range = 15% to 83%), respectively, in the CCV-vaccinated group; and 97% and 84% (mortality range = 78% to 100%), respectively, in the controls. Seemingly, sera from swine exposed to CCV could test serologically positive for TGEV-neutralizing antibody, and TGEV and CCV share at least 1 common neutralizing determinant that may be involved in protection.     

不同管理方式下临产母猪产仔性能的对比分析

试验研究了采用不同管理方式对临产母猪产仔性能的影响。选取某生态养殖场4栋猪舍共160头母猪分成8组进行对比试验,其中1、2组和5、6组为试验组,3、4组和7、8组为对照组。在正常饲养管理的基础上．将1、2组母猪提前1周赶入分娩室并肌注氯前列烯醇0．1mg／头;3、4组母猪提前1周赶入分娩室但不注射氯前列烯醇;5、6组母猪待能挤出奶后赶入分娩室并肌注氯前列烯醇0．1mg／头;7、8组母猪待到能挤出奶后赶入分娩室但不注射氯前列烯醇。结果表明：产前注射药物的母猪其产活仔数比不注射药物的母猪高且差异显著（P〈O．05）,死胎和木乃伊胎比例显著下降（P〈0．05）,而且母猪的分娩时间明显集中;挤出奶水时再进产房的母猪其产活仔数比提前1周再进产房显著增加（P〈0．05）,死胎率和木乃伊胎率显著减少（P〈0．05）。可见,注射氯前列烯醇和待挤出奶水时再进产房的母猪均可提高母猪的窝均产活仔数,降低死胎率;试验5、6组的母猪产仔性能最佳。其次是7、8组。     

Intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate capsule for estrus synchronization in goats

Estrus synchronization requires multiple treatments of hormonal drugs, requiring considerable time and cost. The aim of the present study was to develop an estrus synchronization protocol using intravaginal administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) capsules in goats. Two types of capsules were prepared: an EB capsule that melted immediately after administration and a sustained-release (SR) EB capsule that dissolved slowly and reached a peak after 24 h. Goats with functional corpus lutea were intramuscularly treated with prostaglandin F_2α (PG). At 24 h after PG administration, goats were administered 1 mg of EB solution intramuscularly (PG + 24IM; n = 6) or 1 mg of EB capsule intravaginally (PG + 24EB; n = 6). The SR EB capsule was administered intravaginally at the time of PG administration (PG + SR; n = 6). The control group (n = 6) received only PG. All groups showed estrus within 72 h after PG administration. The onset of estrus did not differ significantly between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups but was earlier than in the control group. Estradiol concentration in the PG + SR group peaked at 11.5 ± 6.1 h after EB and PG administration. Peak estradiol concentrations were not significantly different between the PG + 24IM and PG + SR groups (78.0 ± 25.8 and 64.0 ± 38.1 pg/ml, respectively), and were higher than the PG + 24EB and control groups (27.3 ± 8.8 and 14.6 ± 6.1 pg/ml, respectively). These results suggest that intravaginal administration of an EB capsule with a sustained-drug release base is applicable for estrus synchronization, as an alternative to intramuscular administration.     

The synchronization of sow parturition using a combined treatment regimen of cloprostenol Jenapharm and depotocin Spofa]

The trials were conducted on a pig farm (German Landrace) over a period of about two years. This farm worked in 7-day cycles using artificial insemination. In trial 1, 209 sows were treated with the prostaglandin F2 alpha analog Cloprostenol (Cloprostenol Jenapharm, 87.5 micrograms i.m.). In trial 2, 646 sows were divided into two groups. Both groups were treated with 100 micrograms Cloprostenol Jenapharm not earlier than on the 113th day of gestation (day 1 of gestation = the day after the first insemination). 24 h later, 119 sows received an additional injection of 1 ml of an oxytocin analog (Depotocin inj. Spofa, 1 ml contains 0.2 mg Carbetocin). In the other group, 120 sows received 2 ml Depotocin. This additional treatment with Depotocin resulted in a mean interval from the injection to the onset of farrowing of 125 minutes (gilts) and 49 minutes (sows). In trial 2, 97.9% of the sows farrowed within 30 hours after Cloprostenol injection (= partus rate 30). The additional treatment with Depotocin resulted in a shortening of farrowing periods, a reduction in mean expulsion time and effected an increase in farrowing during the day time. All these effects were significant (p < or = 0.05).     

Observations on the influence of exogenous gonadotrophins and cloprostenol on ovulation in gilts

We studied the effects of gonadotrophins and prostaglandin (PG) F_2α on ovulation in gilts. Twenty-eight gilts were induced to ovulate using 750 IU pregnant mares serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) and 500 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), administered 72 h apart. At 34 and 36 h after hCG, gilts received injections of either 500 μg or 175 μg PGF_2α (cloprostenol), or had no injections. Laparotomies were performed at 36 h (cloprostenol gilts) or 38 h (controls) after hCG injection. The ovaries were examined and the proportion of preovulatory follicles that had ovulated (ovulation percent) was determined at 30 min intervals for up to 6 h. The number of gilts in which ovulation was initiated and the ovulation percent increased (p<0.001) with time, but was not affected by treatment. Many medium sized follicles (≤6 mm) were also observed to ovulate, or to exhibit progressive luteinization without overt ovulation, during the surgical period. A discrepancy between numbers of preovulatory follicles and corpora lutea suggests that luteal counts may not be an accurate assessment of ovulation rate following gonadotrophic stimulation.     

The effect of postparturient urogenital diseases on the lifetime reproductive performance of sows

To prove the effect of postparturient swine urogenital disease (SUGD) on reproductive performance, culled sows with SUGD in their previous history (n=1363) were subjected to retrospective lifetime production analysis. The sows were assigned to parity groups 1, 2 to 6, and >6. Bacterial flora of vulval discharges were evaluated. Parity 1 sows had a lower percentage of SUGD than did sows of parity 2 to 6 and parity >6 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Compared with parity 2 to 6 sows, parity 1 and parity >6 sows had lower (P < 0.001) conception, farrowing and adjusted farrowing rates, lifetime average total born, live-born litter sizes, stillbirth rates, and weaning litter weights compared with animals culled for other reasons than SUGD. The conclusions are that high parity sows have a higher occurrence of postparturient SUGD and that higher parity sows with postparturient SUGD have a lower performance compared with lower parity sows with postparturient SUGD.