Conception rate and litter size of sows subjected to natural service versus artificial insemination in Rwanda
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| Titel: | Conception rate and litter size of sows subjected to natural service versus artificial insemination in Rwanda |
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| Autoren: | Makuza, J., Bizimana, F., Hirwa, C.A., Båge, R., Ntawubizi, M. |
| Quelle: | Agro-Science; Vol. 23 No. 2 (2024); 67-73 |
| Verlagsinformationen: | African Journals Online (AJOL), 2025. |
| Publikationsjahr: | 2025 |
| Schlagwörter: | AI, East Africa, pig, sow productivity, sow fertility |
| Beschreibung: | This study aimed to characterize the conception rate (CR), litter size, piglet survival rates, of sows subjected to natural service versus artificial insemination (AI) in swine breeding within the Northern Province of Rwanda. Pig farming in Rwanda is mainly small-scale, with few medium-sized operations. A total of 583 sows gilts, representing four breeds namely Landrace (n = 188), Landrace × Pietrain (n = 330), Large White (n = 26), local breed (n = 39) was monitored from March to December 2019 across three agricultural seasons. The sows varied in age from 0.7-4.3 years. Data collected included estrus type (induced, 252; natural, 331), mating type (AI, 266; natural service, 317), number of mating (one service, 359; two services, 164, three services, 60), age, parity, CR, gestation length, litter size, and piglet survival rate. Using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and analysis of variance tests, the study analysed effects of breed, age, farm, season, service type and number on CR, litter size, and weaning rate. Results showed that CR (90.2%) was not affected by sow parity but significantly influenced by boar age and number of services. Mean litter size, born alive were 8.70 ± 3.90, 8.60 ± 3.90 piglets per sow, respectively, with a survival rate of 94%. In conclusion, boar age, mating frequency, farm type, boar and sow breed influence conception rates, litter size, and piglet survival. The study highlights AI potential to improve CR and effectively manage litter sizes. |
| Publikationsart: | Article |
| Dateibeschreibung: | application/pdf |
| ISSN: | 1119-7455 |
| DOI: | 10.4314/as.v23i2.9 |
| Zugangs-URL: | https://www.ajol.info/index.php/as/article/view/298504 |
| Dokumentencode: | edsair.doi.dedup.....c5ea2e98c3ce57c2945bd4d0cff9f6ac |
| Datenbank: | OpenAIRE |
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Nájsť tento článok vo Web of Science | Abstract: | This study aimed to characterize the conception rate (CR), litter size, piglet survival rates, of sows subjected to natural service versus artificial insemination (AI) in swine breeding within the Northern Province of Rwanda. Pig farming in Rwanda is mainly small-scale, with few medium-sized operations. A total of 583 sows gilts, representing four breeds namely Landrace (n = 188), Landrace × Pietrain (n = 330), Large White (n = 26), local breed (n = 39) was monitored from March to December 2019 across three agricultural seasons. The sows varied in age from 0.7-4.3 years. Data collected included estrus type (induced, 252; natural, 331), mating type (AI, 266; natural service, 317), number of mating (one service, 359; two services, 164, three services, 60), age, parity, CR, gestation length, litter size, and piglet survival rate. Using descriptive statistics, Chi-square and analysis of variance tests, the study analysed effects of breed, age, farm, season, service type and number on CR, litter size, and weaning rate. Results showed that CR (90.2%) was not affected by sow parity but significantly influenced by boar age and number of services. Mean litter size, born alive were 8.70 ± 3.90, 8.60 ± 3.90 piglets per sow, respectively, with a survival rate of 94%. In conclusion, boar age, mating frequency, farm type, boar and sow breed influence conception rates, litter size, and piglet survival. The study highlights AI potential to improve CR and effectively manage litter sizes. |
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| ISSN: | 11197455 |
| DOI: | 10.4314/as.v23i2.9 |