The influence of transportation, proximity of adults and other stimuli on the age of onset of first puberty in the gilt.

: Four series of experiments involving 44 animals were carried out to investigate the influence of transportation, proximity of sexually mature adults and other stimuli on the onset of puberty in the gilt. Transportation per se, either real or simulated, did not induce early puberty in the gilt. In contrast, the most effective stimulus was provided by accommodating the gilts in pens adjacent to mature breeding stock. Gilts housed in a sow yard exhibited oestrus when aged between 153 and 184 days, i.e. 4-6 weeks after the beginning of the experiment. This compares with 189 to 227 days, i.e. 9-12 weeks after the start of the experiment for those gilts not housed adjacent to adult stock.