| ABSTRACT In this study, we investigated the effects of eCG and GnRH on the induction of puberty in prepubertal gilts and evaluated the pregnancy rate and litter size in these females. Thirty 140-day-old gilts with an average weight of 80 kg were randomly divided into two treatments: hormonal treatment (n = 15): 1000 IU of eCG and 50 μg of GnRH; and control group (n = 15): induction of estrus by male presence. Gilts were inseminated at the second estrus and pregnancy was confirmed by the non-return to estrus. At farrowing, litter size, average piglet weight, and number of stillborn and mummified piglets were recorded for analysis. The variable pregnancy rate was subjected to the Chi-square test (χ2), while variables age at first estrus, weight at... |
