SWINE REPRODUCTION BY REBECCA BEGOON 2/8/2002 CREDITS TO THE AUTHOR

1. Swine Reproduction
Rebecca Begoon
2/8/02

2. What is the point?
 Why are we learning about swine
reproduction?
• We need to breed the gilts in the barn
• We will be doing this by artificial insemination
• We need to know what we are doing

3. Objectives
 Identify parts of the reproductive
tract
 Describe Estrous cycle, Estrus, and
Ovulation

4. I. Reproductive Tract
 Ovaries
 Infundibulum
 Oviduct
 Uterine horns
 Uterine body
 Cervix
 Vagina
 Vulva

5. 

6. Ovaries
 Primary Structure
 Two Major Function:
– To produce ova, the female germ cells
– To produce the hormones progesterone and
estrogen

8. Infundibulum
– Acts like a funnel
to collect ova
– Diverts ova to the
oviducts
Oviducts
– 6 to 10 inches
long
– Acts as site of
fertilization

10. Uterine Horns
 2 – 3 feet in a non-pregnant sow
 Act as a passage way for sperm
 Are the site of fetal development
 Uterine body is located at junction of the
uterine horns

11. Cervix
 Muscular junction between the vagina and
uteri
 Site of semen deposit
 It is dilated during heat (estrus)
– Constricted during pregnancy and when not in
heat

13. Vagina
 Extends from the cervix to the vulva
 Passage way for urine and piglets
 The Bladder is connected to the vagina by
the urethra

15. Vulva
 External part of the reproductive tract
 Becomes red and swollen just prior to
estrus

17. Activity
 With a partner, you will put together a
model of a gilt’s reproductive tract,
just like the picture used during
lecture, using play dough.
 The supplies will be located at the
front of the room.

18. II. Estrous cycle, Estrus,
Ovulation

19. Estrous Cycle
 Normally 21 days long
 Can range from 18-24 days long
 Non-pregnant and non-lactating sows will
estrus or standing heat

21. Estrus or Heat
 Follicles – 6 to 10 will form on each ovary
– Growth begins 3 days before estrus
 FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) released from
the pituitary gland
 Maturing ovum is held in each follicle
 Estrogen is secreted (responsible for estrus)
 Ovulation is stimulated by LH (Luteinizing
Hormone)

22. Signs of Estrus
 Standing Heat – standing to be mounted or
“back pressure test”
– Red, swollen vulva
– Increased nervous activity
– Desire to seek boar
– Decrease in appetite
– Vaginal mucous

23. Progesterone
Is responsible for
maintaining Pregnancy !

24. Review
 How does Estrus cycle, estrus and ovulation
relate?
 Which hormone is responsible for the estrus
cycle?
– Estrogen

25. Review con’t
 Which hormone is responsible for maintaining
pregnancy?
– Progesterone
What are the signs of estrus?
 Standing Heat – standing to be mounted or “back
pressure test”
– Red, swollen vulva
– Increased nervous activity
– Desire to seek boar
– Decrease in appetite
– Vaginal mucous

26. Reality!!!
• In four days the gilts will be in heat and you
all will have a chance to Artificially
inseminate one of the gilts.
 It is important to understand the
reproductive tract and cycles.
 Tomorrow we will practice on a model of a
gilt