Continuing education

Reproductive performance upon a single-time supplementation of a herbal mixture to sows prior to ovulation

---

Abstract

Oxidative stress may compromise ovarian activity and follicular development in sows. In this study, it was investigated whether sow reproduction could be improved by supplementing the feed with a single dose of a herbal mixture on the day before weaning. Three hundred and three breeding animals on a commercial farm were randomly allocated to either a treatment (T) or a control (C) group. The animals of the T group received 50 g of the product Estral, once orally by top-dressing. The animals were treated in the morning: gilts the day after the last altrenogest treatment and sows the day before weaning. The supplement contained three herbs: vitex (Vitex agnus-castus), sage (Salvia officinalis), and thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Parameters of comparison were related to estrus (weaning-to-estrus interval, percentage of sows showing estrus, estrus duration), gestation (gestation rate, gestation length), and litter performance (number of liveborn and stillborn piglets, litter weight). Most parameters showed no significant differences. Supplemented animals had a shorter gestation period (T: 115.4 versus C: 115.7 days; p < 0.05) and a trend towards a higher gestation rate (T: 97.4% versus C: 93.2% ; p = 0.072). Further research is warranted in farms with lower reproductive performance and/or higher oxidative stress levels.