In recent years, the reproductive performance of sows has been drastically improved. Nowadays, on many farms, with the use of hyperprolific sows, the average litter size exceeds 13 piglets at farrowing and 11.5 at weaning. These changes in performance have had major effects on the nutritional...

This chapter discusses the clinical signs, diagnosis and treatment of nephritis, cystitis, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome, urolithiasis and Stephanurus dentatus infection in pigs. Breeding and reproductive techniques and disorders are also included.

The genetic control of embryonic development, preimplantation development, pregnancy, postimplantation development and sex differentiation in pigs is described.

In this chapter, a review on the physiological changes associated with the changes in nutrient requirements and intake in ruminants during pregnancy and lactation was discussed. Topics include: oestrus, pregnancy, causes of declining intake in late pregnancy in ruminants, lactation, and...

This chapter discusses the feeding behaviour of piglets, growing pigs, sows and boars. The topics under the feeding behaviour of piglets include the importance of colostrum, effect of the behaviour of sow on the first sucklings, nursing pattern and teat order, internursing interval, factors...

This book focusses on the progress made in the management of reproduction of farm animals. It reviews these developments and suggests which technologies can be used commercially or in research. It discusses artificial insemination, semen sexing, embryo transfer, in vitro embryo production and the...

This chapter deals with the control of postpartum ovarian activity in livestock and its applications. The factors influencing postpartum ovarian activity in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and horses are presented. Moreover, the development of control measures, strategies for inducing...

This chapter deals with several aspects of pregnancy testing in livestock. The advantages of pregnancy testing are presented as well as the factors affecting the establishment of pregnancy. The different methods of pregnancy testing (palpation per rectum, progesterone and oestrogen assays, faecal...

This chapter deals with parturition and its control. The advantages of controlling parturition in livestock are presented. The development of parturition control measures as well as the physiology and endocrinology of parturition are discussed.

This chapter focuses on several aspects of cloning in livestock. The practical implications of cloning are presented as well as its advantages. The developments in cloning technology are discussed.