Effect of Body Cooling on Reproductive Performance of Hampshire Sow

Abstract

Pregnant Hampshire sows (20 nos.) of second and third parity of 30-Sow Teaching Unit, College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara were selected and randomly divided into control and treatment group to find out the effect of body cooling on reproductive performance during summer. Treatment group was sprinkled with water during the hotter part of the day. The mean indoor and outdoor environmental temperature, relative humidity and THI were recorded. There was significantly higher litter weight (p < 0.01) and litter size at birth (p < 0.05). The farrowing time was found to be 2.4 ± 0.20 and 2.06 ± 0.24 hours for control and treatment groups respectively which was statistically not significant. No significant difference was observed in number of stillborn piglets and service period between the treatment and the control groups. There was significantly (p < 0.01) lower rectal temperature and respiration rate in the sprinkled animals than in control. It can be concluded that sprinkling of water in pregnant sows reduces heat stress and ultimately improved reproduction.