Date of Award

2017

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Awarded

Master of Science (MS)

Program

Animal Sciences

Department

Animal Sciences

College

Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources

Faculty Advisor

Vonnahme, Kimberly A.

Description

Piglets that are born with low viability have increased mortality during early life, result in increased labor by personnel and potential animal welfare concerns. Producers focused on improving ovulation rates with the outcome of increased number of piglets with the average of piglets born increasing from 8.0 pigs/litter/sow to 10.3 pigs/litter/sow (NASS, 2016). This may not be advantageous, as number of piglets born per litter increased the weight of each piglet decreased. It is hypothesized this is due to decreased uterine blood flow available per piglet in larger litters, resulting in lower viability piglets at birth. Two studies with the intent of improving uterine blood flow will be discussed. The first study will investigate how pharmaceuticals could enhance uterine blood flow in the gilt. The second study will discuss the postnatal outcome of offspring, who experienced greater umbilical blood flows, born from dams that were exercised during gestation.

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

Rights Link

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Handle Identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/10365/28181

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