EP1839621A1 - Méthode et système pour déterminer l'état physiologique d'une truie - Google Patents

Méthode et système pour déterminer l'état physiologique d'une truie Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1839621A1
EP1839621A1 EP06006972A EP06006972A EP1839621A1 EP 1839621 A1 EP1839621 A1 EP 1839621A1 EP 06006972 A EP06006972 A EP 06006972A EP 06006972 A EP06006972 A EP 06006972A EP 1839621 A1 EP1839621 A1 EP 1839621A1
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Prior art keywords
sow
state
determining
surveying
during
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EP06006972A
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German (de)
English (en)
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Walter Signorini
Luigi Gesi
Marco Lunati
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
    • A61D17/00—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals
    • A61D17/002—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals for detecting period of heat of animals, i.e. for detecting oestrus
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61D—VETERINARY INSTRUMENTS, IMPLEMENTS, TOOLS, OR METHODS
    • A61D17/00—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals
    • A61D17/006—Devices for indicating trouble during labour of animals ; Methods or instruments for detecting pregnancy-related states of animals for detecting pregnancy of animals

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  • the present invention relates to a method for the determination of a physiological state of a sow and a system for operating this method.
  • the invention is primarily intended to be used to determine whether a sow is on heat and, after the artificial insemination of a sow, to ascertain whether it is actually in state of pregnancy.
  • Field of application of the invention is primarily the pig breeding, which goal is to provide pigs that can subsequently be butchered to produce pork.
  • the main factor of production in the pig breeding business is strictly related to the sow, which, in order to let it produce farrows, is normally artificially inseminated.
  • the critical factor for succeeding in this operation is whether the insemination has been fulfilled in due time, since the sow can be made pregnant only during a small time window of 36 hours every about 20 days. For an efficient organisation of a pig breeding enterprise it is therefore indispensable to realise in time when the sow is on heat and hence ready for the artificial insemination.
  • the methods which are nowadays applied to solve this task i.e. to find out the physiological state of a sow (on heat; not on heat) to determine whether it is ready for the artificial insemination, all utilise the interrelation between the physiological state of the sow (on heat; not on heat) and one of the following measurable or observable factors of the sow: degree of blood temperature, appearance of the pudenda, behaviour and agitation in presence of a boar.
  • a first method utilises the interrelation between the physiological state of the sow (on heat; not on heat) and its blood temperature and is based on the phenomenon that the sow's blood temperature slightly increases when it is on heat.
  • the application of this method requires an at least daily measurement of the sow's blood temperature performed by adequate skilled personnel and a continuous observation and analysis of the actual measured values in order to realise in time a potential temperature rise which indicates that the sow is probably on heat and therefore ready for the artificial insemination.
  • a second method utilises the interrelation between the physiological state of the sow (on heat; not on heat) and the appearance of the sow's pudenda and is based on the phenomenon that in the case the sow is on heat its pudenda have a specific appearance.
  • a day-today visual inspection of the sow's pudenda performed by adequate skilled personnel is necessary.
  • a third method utilises the interrelation between the physiological state of a sow (on heat, not on heat) and the influence on the sow's behaviour caused by the presence of a boar. If a sow is not on heat its behaviour is normally not affected by the presence of a boar, or in other words the sow behaves indifferently, regardless of whether a boar is present or absent.
  • sow in the case the same sow is on heat it behaves different in presence of a boar, in particular it is more agitated.
  • a boar In order to detect in due time whether a sow is on heat and therefore ready to be inseminated, a boar is daily skirted along the sows' cages and their reactions are observed by adequate skilled personnel. A particular agitation of a sow indicates that it is probably on heat and therefore ready for the artificial insemination.
  • the fact that the methods are manually performed by the staff not only requires much manpower for their application and makes them costly but also makes their result depend in large part on the "human factor", which - as is known - is affected by a degree of uncertainty. Therefore, the success of the known methods currently applied mainly depends on the staffs ability to detect that a sow is on heat in sufficient time to still have the possibility to perform the insemination during the small time window of about 36 hours, within which the sow can be made pregnant. In the case the staff fail to do so the sow will be inseminated at the wrong time and hence the result of the insemination will be negative.
  • the sow will not be productive for at least a following time period of about 20 days, while it continues to cause expenses for food, placement, care and reapplication of one of the methods to diagnose when the sow will be again on heat and the subsequent re-insemination.
  • a first main aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned problems of the above described methods currently applied by providing a more effective and more efficient method to determine when a sow is on heat in sufficient time to perform the artificial insemination before the small time window of about 36 hours during which the sow can be made pregnant ends.
  • an object of the present invention is to reduce expenses, especially for the staff involved, by reducing the manpower requirement for the application of the method, especially by avoiding the need of operations that have to be manually performed by the staff and by avoiding devices to be brought in direct contact with the sows.
  • Another object within the main aim of achieving a superior effectiveness is to increase the success rate expressed by the percentage of sows that - after their insemination - have actually become pregnant and the total amount of sows that have been inseminated or, in other words, to reduce the number of sows that are not pregnant although they have been inseminated.
  • a second main aim of the present invention in order to overcome the problems and deficiency of the known methods currently applied is to provide a method and a system to operate this method to verify soon after the artificial insemination if the sow is pregnant in order to implement an effective success control of the operation of the artificial insemination, avoiding also in this context the need of operations that have to be manually performed by the staff and devices that have to be brought in direct contact with the sows.
  • a further object is to provide a method which can be easily executed and a system to operate the method which can be easily used by the staff, in an automatic way so as to avoid application errors, which would negatively affect the business of pig breeding in terms of cost efficiency and which would therefore be anti-economic, as well as to avoid the need of specially skilled staff.
  • a further aim of the invention is to ease the operation of the method performed by the staff with respect to physical strain and time consumption.
  • a method for determining a physiological state of a sow comprising the steps of non-invasively surveying a current state of activity of said sow during at least one discrete time slice of a current day; comparing the state of activity with stored data relating to at least one corresponding time slice of at least one day preceding the current day; and determining on the base of said comparison the physiological state of said sow.
  • a system for determining a physiological state of a sow comprising means for non-invasively surveying a current state of activity of said sow during at least one discrete time slice of a current day; means for comparing the state of activity with stored data relating to at least one corresponding time slice of at least one day preceding the current day; and means for determining on the base of said comparison the physiological state of said sow.
  • Figure 1 is a scheme showing the basic elements 1-8 of one possible and non-limitative embodiment of a system for running the methods shown in figures 3 and 4, limited to one single sow.
  • a device 3 which may be for instance a standard sensor or camera, adapted to reveal activities or movements (1a, 1b) of a single caged sow 1 placed in a sty 2 and which is connected to a central host 4.
  • the sensing devices 3 are connected to the host 4, preferably through an RS485 line.
  • the host 4 can access a database 5 stored in a memory at or connected to the host.
  • a signalling device 8 for example an alarm lamp, adapted to indicate a certain event is provided in the cage and is preferably connected to the sensing device 3.
  • figure 1 depicts a table 6, in which the collected data regarding the activities of one single caged sow 1 are recorded, organised and calculated and a graph 7, with which the measured activities of that single caged sow 1 are illustrated.
  • the table 6 is obtained at the host 4 and serves for storing, calculating, organising the collected data regarding the activities of one sow 1 single caged in one of the eight boxes, while the graph 7 serves for displaying the measured activities of one sow 1 that is single caged in one of the eight boxes.
  • the table and the graph will be discussed hereinafter with reference to figures 5 and 6.
  • Figure 2 is a scheme showing the elements of figure 1 in an arrangement comprising a plurality of single caged sows.
  • figure 2 discloses eight single caged sows 1 within a pigsty 2, which has accordingly eight single boxes arranged in two opposite lines along a small path for accessing these boxes and the sows therein.
  • Each of the eight boxes is provided with the sensing device 3, like a sensor, camera or similar, adapted to register the activities of the single sow 1 placed therein, and the signalling device 8, adapted to indicate a certain state of the single sow 1.
  • a network 9 connects all of the devices 3 and 8 to the host 4.
  • the host 4 comprises stored and installed therein the necessary software instructions for performing the method according to the invention, in particular the steps shown in figures 3 and 4.
  • the host 4 comprises stored and installed therein a communication application for interrogating and collecting data from the sensing devices 3.
  • the software installed in the host is based on DOTNET by MicrosoftTM and comprises a Webserver application, so as to provide remote client users 10 and 11, connected to the host via a communication network such as network 9, with web pages that can be accessed by using common browsers.
  • Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the main steps 301-308 of the method used to automatically determine when a single caged sow 1 (see figures 1 and 2) is on heat and, therefore, is ready for the artificial insemination.
  • a sow is put, after its weaning, in a single box of a pigsty 2 and a so-called Sow Identification Number (SIN) 501 (see figure 5) is assigned to the sow 1 that has been single caged (step 301) in order to clearly identify the sow 1 in the further course of the method.
  • the box is provided with the sensing device 3 for detecting the activities (i.e. the movements) of the sow 1 and, preferably, with the signalling device 8.
  • step 302 data regarding the activities of the sow 1 is collected by the host 4 via the sensing device 3, during a plurality of consecutive predetermined time-slices of the current day.
  • a first state 1a is the sow 1 standing on its legs and a second state 1b is the sow 1 lying on the ground.
  • another key data is additionally or alternatively measured, which is the number of times the sow stands up (Times Up 503, see figures 5 and 6).
  • step 303 the results of step 302, i.e. the collected key data Times Up 503, TUp 504, TDown 505 are stored in the database, more precisely according to the table shown in figure 5.
  • the three collected key data are contemporaneously assigned the SIN 501 of the sow 1 and a TIME STAMP 502, in order to clearly correlate the collected key data Times Up 503, TUp 504 and TDown 505 with the single caged sow 1 and the date and time of the day during which the key data were collected.
  • these steps 302 and 303 are repeated so long as a predefined time of the current day has been reached.
  • the aggregate values 506 of the day are compared with the corresponding aggregate values relating to the same sow 1 which were collected in the previous days for analogous consecutive time slices, in order to determine whether the activity of the sow 1 significantly increased or changed.
  • a time filter is preferably applied for the period from midnight to 3:00 a.m.
  • the percentage increase of each of the aggregate values is calculated according to the following formula: ⁇ 0 : 00 - T ⁇ i , a ⁇ 0 : 00 - T ⁇ i , n ⁇ 100
  • ⁇ is the aggregate value for the time slice Ti under consideration (from 3:00 a.m. on)
  • a is the current day under consideration
  • n is one of the preceding days in which no "on heat" status was detected.
  • the above percentage is calculated for each time slice preferably from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., the increase being given by the duration of the time slice (e.g. 10 minutes), so as to take into account only the nocturnal activity of the sow.
  • each of the mean values X a,n does not exceed a predetermined value (step 305), preferably 80%, the sow is presumably not on heat.
  • a predetermined value preferably 80%
  • the host will continue to separately collect the key data Times Up 503, TUp 504 and TDown 505 with respect to the single caged sow 1 in the pigsty 2 for consecutive corresponding time slices until the same predefined time of the next day has been reached, after which a new comparison will be effected according to the foregoing algorithm.
  • each of the mean values X a,n exceeds the predetermined value, preferably 80%, the sow is presumably on heat and a pre-alert situation is recognised to be preferably confirmed.
  • the confirmation is obtained through a similar algorithm, which is not based on the aggregate values 506 but is based on the Times up values 503.
  • the "Times up" increase in percentage terms is as follows: # ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ U ⁇ p 0 : 00 - T ⁇ i , a # ⁇ ⁇ ⁇ U ⁇ p 0 : 00 - T ⁇ i , n ⁇ 100
  • # Up is the Times up value 503 for the time slice Ti under consideration (from 3:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.)
  • a is the current day under consideration
  • n is one of the preceding days in which no "on heat" status was detected.
  • the 31 values so obtained are averaged so as to obtain a mean value Y a,n for each of the preceding days.
  • step 306 If each of the mean values Y a,n exceeds the predetermined value already identified, e.g. 80%, the pre-alert situation is confirmed and a corresponding alarm "SOW ON HEAT" (step 306) is triggered by means of the alarm device -8, to indicate that the sow 1 is on heat and therefore ready for the artificial insemination.
  • the predetermined value already identified e.g. 80%
  • the alarm "SOW ON HEAT" may also be triggered after checking the X a,n values only or by performing the check on the Y a,n values only.
  • step 306 the sow 1 is artificially inseminated in a conventional manner (step 307).
  • step 307 of the artificial insemination must be performed as soon as possible after the indication that the sow is on heat, since the small time window within which the sow 1 can be made pregnant lasts only about 36 hours.
  • a check of the state of the sow 1 is preferably performed to verify whether the sow 1 that was artificially inseminated has actually become pregnant.
  • step 308 If the verification of step 308 is negative, i.e. the sow 1 has not become pregnant, the sow 1 is immediately put again into one of the eight boxes of the pigsty 2 and the above specified method is applied again.
  • a first step 308a data is collected with respect to the sow 1 for a certain span of time and separately for several consecutive time slices.
  • the two key data TUp 504 and Tdown 505 are still measured.
  • a graph as shown in figure 6 which shows along a time line 601 the percentage 603 indicating the total amount of time during which the sow 1 was standing on its legs TUp 504 and the total amount of time during which the sow 1 was lying on the ground of the box in the pigsty 2 TDown 505, separately for the several time slices.
  • the algorithm 308 confirms that the sow 1 is in a state of pregnancy (operation 308e").
  • the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.
  • it has been shown that, by duly registering and analysing the nocturnal activity of the sow, it can be determined if it is on heat, without having to recur to boars or to invasive tests.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Biophysics (AREA)
  • Pregnancy & Childbirth (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Animal Husbandry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Measurement Of The Respiration, Hearing Ability, Form, And Blood Characteristics Of Living Organisms (AREA)
EP06006972A 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Méthode et système pour déterminer l'état physiologique d'une truie Withdrawn EP1839621A1 (fr)

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EP06006972A EP1839621A1 (fr) 2006-03-31 2006-03-31 Méthode et système pour déterminer l'état physiologique d'une truie

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2014255A2 (fr) * 2007-05-25 2009-01-14 LPS Electronics S.r.l. Procédé pour la surveillance du cycle ?stral et de l'ovulation chez les animaux, et pour programmer une plage de moments de fertilisation utile et une plage de moments de fertilisation préférée
US8111166B2 (en) 2006-02-08 2012-02-07 S.A.E. Afikim Milking System Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. Device, system and method for monitoring animal posture pattern
WO2012146583A1 (fr) * 2011-04-26 2012-11-01 Piglets Treatment System Bv Procédé pour prédire un intervalle d'insémination d'un animal et système pour appliquer ce procédé
CN102783427A (zh) * 2012-08-29 2012-11-21 深圳力合数字电视信息技术有限公司 母猪发情检测装置和系统
US8446582B2 (en) 2007-05-31 2013-05-21 Afimilk Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. System and method for analyzing fluids
CN109258508A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-25 深圳市倍适沃智能设备有限公司 母猪发情分析方法、装置、终端与计算机可读存储介质
CN111914685A (zh) * 2020-07-14 2020-11-10 北京小龙潜行科技有限公司 母猪发情检测方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2076259A (en) * 1980-05-13 1981-11-25 Rodrian James A Animal identification and estrus detection system
US4455610A (en) * 1982-02-04 1984-06-19 Rodrian James A Self-contained estrous detection tag
NL1012872C2 (nl) * 1999-08-20 2001-02-23 Nedap Nv Ligsensor voor dieren.
EP1300119A2 (fr) * 2001-10-04 2003-04-09 Lely Enterprises AG Dispositif pour détecter l'état de chaleur chez un animal, dispositif de positionnement, enclos avec dispositif de positionnement et méthode de détection de l'état de chaleur

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2076259A (en) * 1980-05-13 1981-11-25 Rodrian James A Animal identification and estrus detection system
US4455610A (en) * 1982-02-04 1984-06-19 Rodrian James A Self-contained estrous detection tag
NL1012872C2 (nl) * 1999-08-20 2001-02-23 Nedap Nv Ligsensor voor dieren.
EP1300119A2 (fr) * 2001-10-04 2003-04-09 Lely Enterprises AG Dispositif pour détecter l'état de chaleur chez un animal, dispositif de positionnement, enclos avec dispositif de positionnement et méthode de détection de l'état de chaleur

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8111166B2 (en) 2006-02-08 2012-02-07 S.A.E. Afikim Milking System Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. Device, system and method for monitoring animal posture pattern
EP2014255A2 (fr) * 2007-05-25 2009-01-14 LPS Electronics S.r.l. Procédé pour la surveillance du cycle ?stral et de l'ovulation chez les animaux, et pour programmer une plage de moments de fertilisation utile et une plage de moments de fertilisation préférée
US8446582B2 (en) 2007-05-31 2013-05-21 Afimilk Agricultural Cooperative Ltd. System and method for analyzing fluids
WO2012146583A1 (fr) * 2011-04-26 2012-11-01 Piglets Treatment System Bv Procédé pour prédire un intervalle d'insémination d'un animal et système pour appliquer ce procédé
CN102783427A (zh) * 2012-08-29 2012-11-21 深圳力合数字电视信息技术有限公司 母猪发情检测装置和系统
CN109258508A (zh) * 2018-09-26 2019-01-25 深圳市倍适沃智能设备有限公司 母猪发情分析方法、装置、终端与计算机可读存储介质
CN111914685A (zh) * 2020-07-14 2020-11-10 北京小龙潜行科技有限公司 母猪发情检测方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质
CN111914685B (zh) * 2020-07-14 2024-04-09 北京小龙潜行科技有限公司 母猪发情检测方法、装置、电子设备及存储介质

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