Mark Estienne

• ALS 5314 Comparative Reproduction

I have the responsibility to develop and implement extension education programs for swine producers in the area of breeding herd management. My partial extension appointment allows me to keep abreast of the swine industry. Moreover, I can deliver first hand results of my research not only to the scientific community but to the end users as well. Finally, I provide leadership and management oversight of the TAREC swine research facilities. This includes supervision of two classified technicians in the operation of the Research Boar Stud (40-boar capacity) and the farrow-to-finish herd and facilities (96-sow capacity).

The principle objective of my work at the Tidewater Agricultural Research and Extension Center (TAREC) is to provide the Commonwealth with a high quality research program in reproductive physiology that is directed at solving problems in the Virginia and U.S. swine industries. I adhere to the philosophy that a mix of applied and basic research is the most effective approach toward solving swine industry problems. Applied research addresses acute challenges in the industry while a basic component in agricultural research is necessary for long-term advances and because scientists cannot effectively control what they do not completely understand. Specific research interests include enhancing semen quality and libido in boars used for artificial insemination, hormonal control of the gilt estrous cycle, and the impact of nutrition and management on sow reproductive performance.

(* denotes current or former student):

1. Alberti*, K.A., M.J. Estienne, and A.F. Harper. 2009. Concentrations of leptin in serum of gilts and barrows sired by boars of different breeds and adiposity. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 3:23-26.
2. Curtis, S.E., R.B. Baker, M.J. Estienne, P.B. Lynch, J.J. McGlone, and B.K. Pedersen. 2009. Scientific assessment of the welfare of dry sows kept in individual accomodations. Council for Agriculutral Science and Technology (CAST). Issue Paper 42. CAST, Ames, Iowa.
3. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, and R.J. Crawford. 2008. Dietary supplementation with a source of omega-3 fatty acids increases sperm number and the duration of ejaculation in boars. Theriogenology 70:70-76.
4. Lindemann, M.D., J.H. Brendemuhl, L.I. Chiba, C.S. Darroch, C.R. Dove, M.J. Estienne, and A.F. Harper. 2008. A regional evaluation of injections of high levels of Vitamin A on reproductive performance of sows. Journal of Animal Science 86:333-338.
5. Zhao, J., A.F. Harper, B.K. Perkins, L.L. Southern, J.L. Shelton, T.D. Bidner, K.E. Webb Jr., M.J. Estienne, and L.A. Kuehn. 2008. Assessment of a marine-based hydrolyzed protein source and spray-dried plasma protein as supplements in the diet of early weaned pigs. The Professional Animal Scientist 24:604-613.
6. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, W.E. Beal, and R.J. Crawford. 2007. Effects of prostaglandins and prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors on sexual behavior in boars. Reproductive Biology 7:163-175.
7. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, and J.L. Day*. 2007. Characteristics of sperm motility in boar semen diluted in different extenders and stored for seven days at 18 C. Reproductive Biology 7:221-231.
8. Zhao, J., A.F. Harper, M.J. Estienne, K.E. Webb Jr., A.P. McElroy, and D.M. Denbow. 2007. Growth performance and intestinal morphology responses in early weaned pigs to supplementation of antibiotic-free diets with an organic copper complex and spray-dried plasma protein in sanitary and nonsanitary environments. Journal of Animal Science 85:1302-1310.
9. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, and C.E. Estienne. 2006. Effects of dietary supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on some reproducitve characteristics in gilts. Reproductive Biology 6:231-241.
10. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, and J.W. Knight. 2006. Reproductive traits in gilts housed individually or in groups during the first thirty days of gestation. Journal of Swine Health and Production 14:241-246.
11. Estienne, M.J., A.F. Harper, and B.R. Horsley*. 2006. Effect of P.G. 600 on rebreeding performance in sows limit-fed during lactation. Reproductive Biology 6:51-62.
12. Harper, A.F., J. Zhao, J.B. Meldrum, and M.J. Estienne. 2006. Impact of sample collection location and grain fraction when assessing corn for aflatoxin contamination. Journal of Swine Health and Production 14:149-152.
13. Estienne, M.J., and C.R. Barb. 2005. The control of adenohypophysial hormone secretion by amino acids and peptides in swine. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 29:34-42.
14. Estienne, M.J., T.G. Hartsock, and A.F. Harper. 2005. Effects of antibiotics and probiotics on suckling pig and weaned pig performance. International Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine 3:303-308.
15. Horsley, B.R.*, M.J. Estienne, A.F. Harper, S.H. Purcell, H.K. Baitis, W.E. Beal, and J.W. Knight. 2005. Effect of P.G. 600 on the timing of ovulation in gilts treated with altrenogest. Journal of Animal Science 83:1690-1695.
16. Estienne, M.J., and A.F. Harper. 2004. Semen characteristics and libido in boars treated repeatedly with PGF2alpha. Journal of Animal Science 82:1494-1498.