Reproductive physiology of swine

Abstract This chapter provides a basic understanding of reproductive physiology and endocrinology of the pig. It begins by providing background of the reproductive anatomy of male and female pigs and followed by developing a fundamental knowledge of spermatogenesis and fertility in the boar, and follicle development, the estrous cycle, fertilization, conceptus development, maternal recognition of pregnancy, parturition and lactation in the sow. Spermatogenesis and sperm quality in boars, as well as the endocrinology of the estrous cycle, early elongation of conceptus trophectoderm and attachment of trophectoderm to the uterine surface for epitheliochorial placentation of pig and the importance of colostrum during lactation are specifically described and illustrated.