Table 1 Ovarian reaction and estrus manifestation in sexually mature and pre-pubertal gilts treated with eCG (average ± SD)

Spontaneous estrus detection to eCG injection (days)

5

11

17

(5, 11, 17)

-

Gilts with ovulation response after eCG

95% (19/20)

90% (18/20)

95% (19/20)

93.3% (56/60)

90% (18/20)

Average CL¹ number

18.05 ± 2.48 (12–22)

19.28 ± 4.82 (14–32)

19.63 ± 4.86 (13–34)

18.95 ± 4.17^A (12–34)

11.78 ± 3.51^B (4–20)

Average CA² number

10.75 ± 2.31 (6–14)

10.45 ± 2.57 (7–15)

11.25 ± 2.30 (7–16)

10.82 ± 2.3^B (6–16)

-

Gilts with induced estrus detected

95% (19/20)

90% (18/20)

95% (19/20)

93.3% (56/60)

85% (17/20)

eCG to estrus (days)

24.9 ± 0.62^A (24–26)

25.1 ± 0.34^A (24–26)

4.2 ± 0.73^B (3–6)

-

4.1 (3–5)

Spontaneous estrus to estrus after eCG (days)

33.9 ± 0.61^A (33–35)

40.1 ± 0.69^A (38–42)

21.2 ± 0.73^B (20–23)

-

-