Indigenous pigs are essential domestic animals for rural life and meat supply in Laos, especially for ethnic people in remote areas. Northern provinces have the most numerous indigenous pig populations, i.e. covering 84 % of the total pig population. This study was conducted in northern Laos, where 164 pig-raising households, 325 sows and 1246 piglets were included. The study aimed to observe the general trend of change in indigenous pig utilization and the altered reproductive performance regarding village location and rearing systems. The semi-structured questionnaires were a key tool for gathering data required through personal interviews and field observations. Two types of indigenous Lao pig breeds (locally named Moo Lath and Moo Hmong) were found in study areas. The village locations were not influencing on reproductive performance of indigenous Lao pigs. Larger litter size and birth weight (P<0.004–0.000) was found in the second cluster (15 to 30 km away from downtown) with an average of 8.24 heads and 0.88 kg, while the first (30 km) clusters had 7.72 versus 7.12 heads, and 0.70 versus 0.63 kg, respectively. Conversely, the second cluster had lower litter per year (P0.070 versus 0.839). Around 56 % of the piglet's deaths were due to poor management that caused piglets to be crushed/injured by sow or starvation. More than 54 % of farmers did not keep sows in pens before the farrowing, and 53 % of sows gave birth near forests. In conclusion, the village locations and rearing systems did not influence the reproductive performance of indigenous pigs in northern Laos. However, pre- and post-farrowing management had a strong effect on it. During the whole study, we took into consideration the successful example of Hungarian Mangalica pig, which could find a proper new role in the global premium markets. Our results suggest that similar complex semi-intensive farm operations as indigenous Mangalica pig farms in Hungary should be a great option for introducing and adapting to improve indigenous pig performance in Laos.

Considering the different problems facing the Lao indigenous pig breed Moo Lath. This study was performed to evaluate the efficiency of applying estrous synchronization for the better reproductive management of this species with the use of Altrenogest Regumate^® to increase the litter size and birth weight of crossbred piglets using artificial insemination (AI) with Duroc semen. In total, 36 gilts (age: 6.5−10.5 months, weight at insemination: 36.60−51.42 kg) were used. The gilts were divided into three groups (G1, 2, and 3); G1 (18) were synchronized, while G2 (12) were not. Both G1 and G2 gilts were inseminated using Duroc semen, whereas a local boar naturally serviced the G3 (6) gilts. Our results showed that G1 produced the largest litter, compared with G2 and G3 (8.66, 7.50, and 5.50, respectively; p < 0.000). The birth weight of the piglets was not different between the groups (p = 0.464), and higher birth weight was observed in the gilts younger than 7 months and lower in those older than 9 months. In conclusion, the litter size of Moo Lath primiparous gilts was improved in the F−1 Duroc−Moo Lath crossbreed, but their birth weight did not. Moreover, estrous synchronization and AI are novel techniques among Lao farmers who still need more training. Both the optimal body weight and age of gilts at first mating should be clarified for a better economic outcome.

The effects of reproductive technologies, namely, artificial insemination (AI) and multiple ovulation embryo transfer (MOET), on the production, health, and longevity of Holstein–Friesian cows were evaluated. Data were obtained from the time period between 2017 and 2024 on a Hungarian dairy farm and consisted of 1783 cows (1544 AI and 239 MOET). Deep-frozen semen from identical bulls was used for both the AI and MOET groups. Disease incidence, productive life, and early-lactation milk production phenotypes were collected in these cows. MOET cows demonstrated significantly higher milk yield during the first 100 days of lactation but had a 43.9% greater risk of culling compared with AI cows (p < 0.05). Metabolic and reproductive disorders were the most common reasons for culling cows, with increased frequency of health issues correlating with higher culling risk ratios (p < 0.05). While MOET cows showed lower incidences of metabolic disorders, reproductive problems, and mastitis, their shorter productive lifespan likely limited overall disease exposure. Nevertheless, when MOET cows experienced illness, the impact was more severe, particularly in relation to metabolic issues (p < 0.05). These findings highlight trade-offs between improved genetic potential and health resilience in MOET-derived cows. Despite their higher productivity, their management may require greater health vigilance. This study offers practical insights for dairy producers in selecting reproductive strategies to balance genetic gain, herd health, and longevity under intensive production systems.

Cryopreservation of preantral follicles (PAFs) is a promising tool for gene conservation and fertility preservation. However, standardized protocols for the cryopreservation and in vitro culture of isolated follicles—particularly in pigs—are still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the survival and developmental potential of porcine PAFs vitrified using two different methods: open pulled straw (OPS) and cryotube (CT). Ovaries of Hungarian Large White sows were collected from a local slaughterhouse and enzymatically digested to isolate preantral follicles. Morphologically normal follicles were assigned to three groups: fresh control, OPS-vitrified, and CT-vitrified. All follicles were cultured for 10 days in FSH-supplemented medium, with growth, survival, and estradiol (E2) production monitored. Survival rate was lower in the CT group (83.3%) than that of the control and OPS (97.4% and 94.4%, respectively). The follicular area was consistently larger in control than in CT and OPS, with no difference between vitrified groups. E2 production varied among treatments: OPS follicles showed lower E2 levels on Day 2, no differences were detected on Day 7, and CT follicles produced less E2 on Day 10. These results indicate that OPS is the more suitable vitrification method for porcine PAFs and that the culture system supports hormone production; however, it may require refinement to provide long-term follicle maintenance.

This study evaluated factors affecting pregnancy outcomes, full-term calving success, and pre-weaning performance following embryo transfer in Holstein–Friesian cattle under commercial farm conditions. A total of 604 in vivo-derived embryos (fresh and frozen–thawed) were transferred into 384 heifers and 220 cows, and pregnancies were diagnosed by ultrasonography. Calves were monitored from birth to weaning. Pregnancy rate per embryo transfer (PR/ET) was higher in heifers than in cows, indicating superior reproductive performance of heifer recipients under field conditions. Recipient corpus luteum (CL) stage II yielded favorable pregnancy outcomes compared to CL stage I, whereas CL stage III comprised a small subgroup (n = 8) exhibiting a descriptive PR/ET of 87.5% that required cautious interpretation due to the limited sample size. Fresh embryos were associated with higher PR/ET than frozen–thawed embryos. Embryo developmental stage did not significantly affect initial pregnancy establishment or full-term calving rates, although stage 6 embryos (blastocyst) showed a non-significant numerical trend toward higher calving rates. Post-diagnosis gestation loss was a primary limiting factor, particularly in multiparous cows. Regarding pre-weaning performance, calves derived from frozen–thawed embryos exhibited a slightly higher birth weights than those from fresh embryos, whereas weaning weight and pre-weaning average daily gain did not differ between embryo types. Overall, recipient category and embryo type are key factors influencing pregnancy success, whereas postnatal performance is less affected. These findings highlight the importance of recipient selection and embryo management strategies for improving reproductive efficiency under commercial dairy farm conditions.