DYSTOCIA IN HYPERPROLIFIC SOWS: A REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35172/rvz.2026.v33.1673Keywords:
Parturition, Intervention, Swine, ReproductionAbstract
Genetic selection for hyperprolificacy in swine production has brought significant benefits, such as increased litter sizes, but it has also introduced challenges, including a rise in dystocia cases. Dystocia, characterized by complications during labor, leads to prolonged delivery times and poses risks to both sows and piglets. Although the incidence of dystocia is generally low, there is considerable variability in the literature regarding what defines a eutocic (normal) versus a dystocic (complicated) birth, particularly in the context of ever-evolving genetic improvements that influence sow and litter traits. This review aims to delve into the causes of dystocia in hyperprolific sows, explore preventive and intervention strategies, and assess its implications on productive performance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fernanda Mariane dos Santos, Ana Clara Rodrigues Oliveira, Ana Lígia Braga Mezzina, Caroline Veloso, Jose Alfonso Echavarria Martínez, Flávio de Aguiar Coelho, Nadia de Almeida Ciriaco Gomes, Cesar Augusto Pospissil Garbossa

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