Oestrone Sulphate Measurements for the Prediction of Small or Large Litters in Pigs

Abstract

Serum from 88 pregnant sows and gilts was sampled 24 and 28 days after their first insemination or mating day. The oestrone sulphate (E1S) concentration in the samples was assessed with a commercially available radioimmunoassay kit modified for use with swine serum. The first aim was to test whether it was possible to predict litters of total number Day 24 E1S levels were positively correlated with litter size at term (R2 = 0.26; p

Keywords

• sows
• pregnancy
• prediction
• litter size
• oestrone sulphate.