PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS FOR REDUCING INCIDENCE OF STILLBORN PIGS

摘要

This invention provides a method for initiation of farrowing of pregnant domestic swine within a predictable number of hours by administering a progesterone receptor antagonist. The present method also significantly reduces reduce stillborn pigs. A preferred progesterone receptor antagonist for use in the present method is RU38,486. The progesterone receptor antagonist can be administered to a pregnant swine via an appropriate route of administration, such as orally, intramuscularly or intravaginally. The present invention greatly facilitates human supervision and assistance during parturition, and is important for the production and profitability of farrowing operation.