Effect of metoclopramide on sow's milk production and the performance of piglets

Abstract

Metoclopramide has been used in humans as a therapy to increase milk production. There is no information available about this drug in swine for the same purpose. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of metoclopramide on lactation of swine females and litter development. For this reason 12 females were used in this study. They were assigned in two groups (T1 and T2) and were drug-induced farrowing. T1 females received saline solution during three days after farrowing and T2 group received metoclopramide. The experimental period lasted 42 days starting from the administration of the drug. Metoclopramide significantly (p <0,05) affected milk production at the first three days compared to the control females. In the study we found greater homogeneity and smaller dispersion of litter weight from females treated with metoclopramida, based upon piglet weight at 21 days of age. In conclusion metoclopramide induced higher milk production in swine on the first tree days of lactation and affected litter homogeneity.