Timing and temperature thresholds of heat stress effects on fertility performance of different parity sows in Spanish herds.

ABSTRACT: High temperature is an environmental factor that impairs sow fertility. In this study, we identified the critical weeks for heat stress effects on aspects of fertility performance, namely weaning-to-first-service interval (WSI) and farrowing rate (FR). We also examined the threshold temperatures above which the fertility performance deteriorated and whether there were any differences between parities regarding heat stress effects or thresholds. Performance data of sows in 142 herds from 2011 to 2016 were matched to appropriate weekly averaged daily maximum temperatures (Tmax) from weather stations close to the herds. Two types of ratios (i.e., ratio for WSI and odds ratio for FR) were used to identify the critical weeks for heat stress by comparing the respective measures for two sow group

SUBMITTER: Iida R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8259845 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature