Pregnancy detection methods in sows
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/cg8fwh92Keywords:
Sows, pregnancy detection, diagnosis, methods, porcine reproductionAbstract
Reproductive efficiency in the swine industry depends largely on early and accurate pregnancy detection in sows. Over time, various methods for determining pregnancy status have been developed and refined, ranging from traditional techniques to cutting-edge technological tools. This review aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the main methods used for pregnancy detection in sows. Scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were consulted over a 10-year period. A total of 52 sources were selected based on thematic relevance, methodological quality, and applicability of results. These were organized using descriptive statistics along with a qualitative synthesis. Both conventional practices, such as behavioral observation, and modern technologies, including echography, hormonal analysis, and image processing techniques, were addressed. Return to estrus is considered a cost-effective method for pregnancy detection in sows, especially in small-scale production systems; however, it is limited by its longer detection intervals. In contrast, echography has improved diagnostic accuracy for confirming pregnancy status. Hormonal assays, which involve quantifying hormone levels in blood or urine samples, are less frequently employed due to their higher costs. Infrared thermography has been recently proposed as a potentially reliable tool for early pregnancy detection in sows. Although the selection of the method depends on a variety of factors, combining multiple approaches can be an effective strategy to improve the accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring in sows.
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