The relationship between subclinical urogenital tract infection and reproductive performance of sows is poorly defined and difficult to quantify. The identity and source of pathogens involved in urogenital tract infection requires further investigation and is the subject of a concurrent project. However, a number of organisms, including E.coli, Actinobaculum suis, several Streptococcus sp and a range of other gram positive organisms have been frequently isolated from the urogenital tracts of sows (1,2). In the past, medication of the breeding herd with antibiotics at regular intervals of six to twelve months has been reported to improve both conception and farrowing rates (1). However, this claim has not been rigorously tested.
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