Follicular dynamics predict optimal insemination timing in Yorkshire, Duroc, and Landrace × Yorkshire gilts.

Authors

Zhicheng Shi, Lichun He, Shanli Zhu, Xin Zhou, Qing Zhang, Wenchao Li, Junrong Li

Published in

Frontiers in veterinary science. Volume 13. Pages 1946137. Epub Sep 22, 2026.

Abstract

Accurate characterization of estrus and ovulation is critical for effective artificial insemination (AI) in pigs, yet comparative data on ovulatory dynamics among Yorkshire, Duroc, and Landrace × Yorkshire gilts remain scarce. In this study, transabdominal ultrasound was used to monitor ovarian activity in these three genetic lines following altrenogest-based estrus synchronization. For each genetic line, gilts were monitored at 8-h intervals. Landrace × Yorkshire crossbred gilts exhibited a significantly shorter altrenogest-withdrawal-to-ovulation interval (P < 0.05). In the full cohorts (Yorkshire, n = 200; Duroc, n = 90; Landrace × Yorkshire, n = 504), Yorkshire gilts had the highest litter size, whereas Duroc gilts developed larger pre-ovulatory follicles (based on a subset of 17 gilts per breed) but had lower litter size. A negative correlation between estrus-onset timing and the estrus-to-ovulation interval was observed across all genetic lines. Farrowing rates exceeded 90% in all groups. These findings provide critical physiological data for designing breed-specific precision breeding strategies in commercial pig production.

PMID:
42841016
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 07 Oct 2026.

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