Management program for improving sow and gilt performance by feeding dichlorvos
Siers, D.G.; Schooley, M.A.; Brown, L.J.; Stanton, H.C.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 38(12): 1997-1999
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 596698 Document Number: 119595
Treated sows were each fed 1000 mg of dichlorvos once daily for the last 30 days of gestation. The dichlorvos was delivered as a slow-release formulation. Treatment improved the productivity of the sows by improving the performance of their litters. The litters from treated sows were superior in four ways: increased number of pigs born alive per litter (2.3%); increased pig birth weights (9.6%); improved survival of pigs born alive; and improved growth rate to market weight. The litters from treated sows were 11.6%, 16.5%, and 12.4% heavier than control litters at birth, weaning (35 days) and market (160 days), respectively. These results may have been brought about by the parasympathomimetic action of dichlorvos; they did not seem to be related to its anthelmintic action.