**8. Future research needs on farms**

This area of research is ripe for new discoveries. We know that the pig has a highly developed sense of smell. And we know that pheromones are a major player in the modulation of sexual and other behaviors. The sow releasing pheromone has been discovered and it contains three boar-unique molecules. The primer pheromone that brings gilts into heat has not been identified. It seems likely that the priming pheromone is the same set of molecules that comprise the releasing pheromone. But this must be confirmed through experimentation and practical applications.

We also demonstrate that the novel boar pheromone that was recently discovered induces both sexual behavior in estrus sows and it increases the change of reproductive success in sows. This pheromone is the only known molecule to cause the full effect in behavior and reproduction.

We do not know anything about three olfactory organs that are described in mice, but not yet described in the pig (SO, GG, Trigeminal nerve). Locating these in the pig and documenting how they modulate behavior will be important in the future.

**53**

*Understanding Sow Sexual Behavior and the Application of the Boar Pheromone to Stimulate…*

This chapter was written to first give the reader a background on boar and sow reproduction, olfaction and pheromones. If one wants to delve deeper in this

Locked up is the only behavior that indicates estrus in all sows (except those anestrus). Ultimately, the ability to properly detect sows in heat with or without a boar will save time, labor and money. With the assistance of the product BB (which contains three molecules: Androstenone, Androstanol, and Quinoline), stockpeople

The research discussed here (published and not published from this laboratory) was conducted at Texas Tech University and was funded by the university and by Animal Biotech. Many other studies are also presented and we thank those authors

Only the first author (JJM) declares a conflict of interest. He is the inventor on the patent on Boar Better which Texas Tech University has licensed to Animal Biotech (of which he is a minority owner). All other authors do not declare any

Measures of reproductive success on commercial farms show that swine reproduction can be improved on commercial farms by use of a synthetic analog of the natural boar pheromone. Breeding rates should be more successful with the full understanding of the sow's behavior before, during and after her estrous cycle both in housing facilities and free roaming herds. As well as, the different stages of estrous to properly recognize the different measurements for signs of a sow in estrus. The anatomy of the animal also plays a critical role for the pheromones to initiate her "standing reflex" through the different olfactory organs, which help determine if she is in estrus or not. The key point of this is remembering to look for the signs that are visible to show that the sow may be in heat; unreliable indicators are pricked ears, low, deep grunts, vulva temperature and color. The most important sign of estrus is when the sow shows, the standing reflex or locked up behavior.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90774*

subject, understanding the biology of the pig is helpful.

may be able to attain improved reproductive performance.

**9. Conclusions**

**Acknowledgements**

**Conflict of interest**

conflict of interest.

for their valuable contributions.

*Understanding Sow Sexual Behavior and the Application of the Boar Pheromone to Stimulate… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.90774*
