Factors influencing age of puberty in confinement reared gilts

A greater number of gilts exposed to a boar in confinement exhibited estrus in confinement (P<.01) and the total number of gilts exhibiting estrus was greater for those gilts exposed to a boar during confinement (P<.05). No significant reduction in age at puberty was found with boar exposure. Boar exposure had no apparent effect on ovulation rate. No significant differences in adjusted urine cortisol concentrations were found between treatments or among trials. Gilts exhibiting estrus during the study were found to have (P<.05) lower urinary cortisol concentrations in confinement than gilts which did not exhibit estrus at any time during the study.