Table 1.
Embryo survival and development at day 21 and day 35 of gestation in intact sows and in oviduct ligated sows, demonstrating the effect of uterine space (from Langendijk et al. [24]).
| Item | Day 21 Intact Sows |
Day 21 Oviduct Ligation * |
Day 35 Intact Sows |
Day 35 Oviduct Ligation * |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of sows | 15 | 11 | 17 | 12 |
| Ovulations | 20.9 ± 1.5 a | 11.6 ± 0.8 b | 20.3 ± 0.9 a | 10.7 ± 0.9 b |
| Viable embryos, % ** | 76 ± 5 | 75 ± 5 | 59 ± 4 a | 77 ± 3 b |
| Length of implantations, cm | 9.9 ± 1.1 | 11.4 ± 1.2 | 15.5 ± 1.3 x | 19.0 ± 1.2 y |
| Embryo weight, g | 0.22 ± 0.03 | 0.25 ± 0.05 | 4.3 ± 0.3 x | 4.9 ± 0.2 y |
* Oviduct ligated sows had one oviduct ligated, limiting the number of fertilised oocytes entering the uterus to those originating from the patent oviduct. These embryos therefore, had twice the space compared to intact sows. ** Percentage of viable embryos: number of viable embryos present/number of ovulations at patent oviduct. a,b p < 0.05, x,y p < 0.10.