Potential Reproductive Consequences
Extended weaning-to-estrus interval (WEI)
- increased variation in the WEI
- increased incidence of anestrus & follicular cysts
Reduced conception rate (CR)
Reduced subsequent litter size (SLS)
- (Self & Grummer, 1958; Svajgr et al., 1974; Varley & Cole, 1976 Marsteller et al., 1997)
Reduced sow longevity and welfare (EEC ban)?
- Reduced average parity at removal (Xue & Dial, 1995; Xue et al., 1997) due to increased culling rate?
Increased sow mortality (Koketsu, 1999)?