PROBLEMS, RESEARCHABLE AREAS

AND RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

IN ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

Vega Renato S.A.

Asst. Professor & Division Head
Animal Breeding & Physiology Division
U.P. Los Baños
 OUTLINE OF THE COURSE
I. Troubleshooting reproductive problems using the knowledge in
animal physiology (Review).
A. Introduction
B. Recovery & Follicular Growth
C. Fertilization and Pregnancy Signals
D. Fetal Development

II. Conceptualizing and writing a research proposal

A. Introduction
B. Essentials of a Research proposals

III. Research Techniques in Animal Physiology

A. Radioimmunoassay
B. Enzyme-Ligand Immunosorbent Assay (EIA)
C. Western Immunoblotting
D. Ultrasound Techniques
E. Digital Sensing Devices
 TROUBLESHOOTING
REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS
USING KNOWLEDGE IN
PHYSIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION

 Knowledge without application is nothing but rubbish.

Wisdom is the application of the truth learned in life.

 This topic will discuss how knowledge in physiological

processes associated with sow pregnancy in conjunction to
three production records:
1. farrowing rates,
2. litter size, and
3. return interval of nonpregnant sows
can be used to identify when and where problems occur.
Management Events Time (days) Physiological Process

Farrowing - 22
Recovery
Weaning -4
Follicular Growth
Rebreeding 0 Fertilization

12 1st Pregnancy
Signal
17
2nd Pregnancy
Signal
28

Fetal Development

114
 II. Recovery & Follicular Growth
 Recovery from pregnancy
 Three most important organs involved
 Ovaries
 Brains
 Uterus
Ovaries = contains follicles which grow in response to 2 hormones (LH & FSH)
follicles ovulate after weaning and release their eggs which are
fertilized during rebreeding.

Brain = requires about 12 days to recover, happens just after farrowing

and throughout lactation (low levels of LH and FSH are required)
= after weaning, ovulation occurs (high levels of LH)

Uterus = site of major embryonic and fetal development during pregnancy

= Two phases require 14 to 16 days to recover, the 1st event is
is decrease in size (involution), 2nd regain its ability to support embryos
and fetuses (repair of uterine endometrium).
 Function of Lactation (mammary gland)
Piglets suckling mechanism
Release of LH and FSH
Continued growth of follicles and followed by
ovulation

1. Provides nourishment of the young piglets

2. Provides recovery of the brain and uterus

 Weaning is the management event that cues

the sow’s reproductive system to resume normal
activity

1. anestrus (absence of estrus behavior)

2. nymphomania (erratic estrus periods)
  Sows that lose significant body weight and
body condition during lactation probably have
extended recovery periods

If the amount of nutrients going to support lactation increases,

fewer will be left for the recovery of the ovaries, brain, and uterus

1. Heat stress
2. Reduced appetite

 reduction in the number of pigs or in the

intensity of nursing effectively reduces
inhibitory effect on FSH and LH

Partial weaning strategies (early removal of largest pigs)

 III. Fertilization and First and Second
Pregnancy Signal
Requirements for fertilization
1. Semen quality
2. Detection of estrus
3. Competence of AI technicians

After fertilization embryos remain in the oviduct (free floating)

Day 12 they elongate an starts to produce estrogen
= 1st sign of pregnancy (estrogen prevent the release
of prostaglandin
= at least 5 viable embryos are necessary to produce
estrogen
Failure results to return to estrus 18 to 21 days after breeding
If pregnancy is maintained, embryos elongates and
begins to form attachment to the lining of uterine horns
(Implantation process)
 From day 17 to 28, embryos initiate 2nd period
of estrogen production (2nd pregnancy signal; placenta)

Failure results to return to estrus 28 -35 days after breeding

Non pregnant sows

1. Regular returns = If sows do not have at least 5 viable
embryos by day 12, then they will return to estrus 18 to
21 days after they are bred.

2. Irregular returns = Received the pregnancy signal at

day 12 but failed the second signal, then they return to
estrus 28 to 35 days after they are bred.
 IV. Fetal Development
 After 30 days implantation is complete and
begins to resembles like pigs (fetuses)

One or two pigs } fetal death after 28 days

Pseudopregnancy } only few or none survived
Mummified fetuses = fetal deaths after day 50 -60
Stillborn pigs = normal pigs morphologically that

are born dead (one wk before

farrowing
Sow
Cortisols Stimulate the release of prostaglandin
Fetuses

Farrowing Decrease in progesterone