Effects of altering the dose and timing of triptorelin when given as an intravaginal gel for advancing and synchronizing ovulation in weaned sows

Previous studies have shown that triptorelin gel (TG) given intravaginally in gel form is effective for advancing the time of ovulation in weaned sows. Three experiments were performed to determine the effects of altering the dose and timing of administration of intravaginal TG for advancing and synchronizing ovulation in weaned sows. In all experiments, estrus was detected twice or three times daily and ultrasound was performed to determine ovulation at 8-hour intervals. In experiment 1, sows (n=131) received intravaginal gel containing 0 (Placebo), 25, 100, or 200μg of TG at 96hours after weaning and sows were inseminated on each day of standing estrus. Wean-to-estrus interval and duration of estrus were correlated (P<0.0001) with estrus duration longer in TG (P<0.05) compared with Placebo. More sows ovulated (P<0.001) by 48hours after treatment with 200 (81%), 100 (64%), and 25μg (63%) of TG compared with Placebo (42%). The farrowing rate and total pigs born did not differ (P>0.10). In experiment 2, sows (n=126) received 200μg of TG at 72, 84, or 96hours after weaning or were untreated (Control-96). Sows receiving TG were inseminated once 24 to 28hours after treatment. Control-96 sows were inseminated on each day of standing estrus. Wean-to-estrus interval was not affected by treatment, but wean-to-ovulation interval was reduced (P<0.05) by TG-72 and TG-84 compared with TG-96 and Control-96. More sows ovulated 40hours after treatment (P<0.001) with TG-72 (56.5%) and TG-84 (32.2%) compared with TG-96 and Control-96 (13%) and for all TG treatments 48hours after treatment (64%) compared with Control-96 (34%, P<0.05). The farrowing rate was lower (P<0.05) for sows assigned to TG-72 and TG-84 compared with TG-96 and Control-96, whereas the number of liveborn pigs did not differ (P>0.10). In experiment 3, sows (n=113) were assigned to receive no treatment (Control), intravaginal gel alone (Placebo), or 200μg of TG given intravaginally (OvuGel) at 96hours after weaning. Wean-to-estrus interval did not differ, but the duration of estrus tended (P<0.10) to be reduced with OvuGel compared with the other treatments. More sows ovulated (P<0.001) by 48hours after OvuGel treatment (79.1%) compared with Control (46.4%) and Placebo (37.9%) and by 56hours (P<0.05). The farrowing rate and the number of liveborn pigs did not differ among treatments. The results of these studies indicate that 200μg of TG given intravaginally at 96hours after weaning (OvuGel) synchronizes ovulation and results in fertility similar to Controls.