Control of parturition of cross gilts by cloprostenol administration

Abstract

With the objective to control the parturition by cloprostenol administration, 21 pregnant cross gilts (Large White x Duroc), were distributed into three groups, that received intramuscular injections, 1 ml saline soluctions two days before, 250 µg of cloprostenol one day before and 250 µg of cloprostenol two days before probable parturition. The parturition induction time were, in mean, 51.9, 14.6 and 28.4 hours to the group I, II and III, respectively, with the greatest concentration in group III, were 71.4% of parturition occurred in intervals of 25 to 36 hours after treatment (P<0.05). Gestacional periods in the treated groups were shorter than in the control groups, in mean 113, 111.8 and 112 days for groups I, II and III, respectively (P<0.05). The farrowing time, mean weight of piglets, total number of piglets and total number of dead piglets were not observed (P>0.05).