1
|
Lagoda ME, O’Driscoll K, Galli MC, Marchewka J, Boyle LA. Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part I: Effects on behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e51. [PMID: 38487409 PMCID: PMC10938266 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Commercial gestation housing systems for sows generally fail to cater fully for their needs in terms of comfort or the ability to perform highly motivated behaviours, which can lead to chronic stress and an impairment to welfare. We compared a typical gestation system (CONTROL) with an IMPROVED one as regards oral stereotypies, aggressive behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining. Sows were mixed into 12 stable groups (six groups per treatment, 20 sows per group), 29 days post-service in pens with free-access, full-length individual feeding/lying stalls. CONTROL pens had fully slatted concrete floors, with two blocks of wood and two chains suspended in the group area. IMPROVED pens were the same but with rubber mats and a length of manila rope in each feeding stall, and straw provided in three racks in the group area. Direct observations of oral stereotypical (30 instantaneous scans per sow per day) and aggressive (all-occurrence sampling, 3 h per sow per day) behaviours were conducted 72 h post-mixing, in mid and late gestation. Skin lesions were counted 24 h and three weeks post-mixing, and in late gestation. Sows' locomotion (locomotory ability) was scored using a visual analogue scale in mid and late gestation. Right and left eye tear staining was scored in late gestation. Indications of better welfare in IMPROVED sows included performance of fewer oral stereotypies in mid and late gestation, and lower tear stain scores. These sows performed more aggression in late gestation, which was associated with access to enrichment, but skin lesion counts were not affected. Thus, the changes made in the IMPROVED treatment benefitted aspects of sow welfare.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martyna E Lagoda
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behaviour, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec 05-552
| | - Keelin O’Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria C Galli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - Joanna Marchewka
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behaviour, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec 05-552
| | - Laura A Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lagoda ME, O’Driscoll K, Galli MC, Cerón JJ, Ortín-Bustillo A, Marchewka J, Boyle LA. Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part II: Effects on physiological measures, reproductive performance and health of the offspring. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e52. [PMID: 38487422 PMCID: PMC10936399 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal stress is the mechanism through which poor welfare of pregnant sows has detrimental effects on the health and resilience of their piglets. We compared two gestation housing systems (IMPROVED versus [conventional] CONTROL) in terms of sow stress and welfare indicators and sought to determine whether potential benefits to the sows would translate into improved offspring health. Sows were mixed into 12 stable groups (six groups per treatment, 20 sows per group) 29 days post-service in pens with free-access, full-length individual feeding/lying-stalls. CONTROL pens had fully slatted concrete floors, with two blocks of wood and two chains suspended in the group area. IMPROVED pens were the same but with rubber mats and manila rope in each stall, and straw provided in three racks in the group area. Saliva was collected from each sow on day 80 of pregnancy and analysed for haptoglobin. Hair cortisol was measured in late gestation. Sows' right and left eyes were scored for tear staining in mid lactation and at weaning. Numbers of piglets born alive, dead, mummified, and total born were recorded. Piglets were weighed and scored for vitality and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) at birth. Presence of diarrhoea in farrowing pens was scored every second day throughout the suckling period. IMPROVED sows had lower haptoglobin levels and tear-stain scores during lactation. IMPROVED sows produced fewer mummified piglets, and these had significantly lower IUGR scores, and scored lower for diarrhoea than piglets of CONTROL sows. Hence, improving sow welfare during gestation improved the health and performance of their offspring.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martyna E Lagoda
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behaviour, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec 05-552
| | - Keelin O’Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
| | - Maria C Galli
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020, Legnaro (PD), Italy
| | - José J Cerón
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100Murcia, Spain
| | - Alba Ortín-Bustillo
- Interdisciplinary Laboratory of Clinical Analysis of the University of Murcia (Interlab-UMU), Regional Campus of International Excellence ‘Campus Mare Nostrum’, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo s/n, 30100Murcia, Spain
| | - Joanna Marchewka
- Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Department of Animal Behaviour, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec 05-552
| | - Laura A Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Animal & Grassland Research & Innovation Centre, Teagasc Moorepark, Fermoy, Co Cork, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Saluti G, Ricci M, Castellani F, Colagrande MN, Di Bari G, Vulpiani MP, Cerasoli F, Savini G, Scortichini G, D'Alterio N. Determination of hair cortisol in horses: comparison of immunoassay vs LC-HRMS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2022; 414:8093-8105. [PMID: 36136115 PMCID: PMC9613578 DOI: 10.1007/s00216-022-04343-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The measure of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is becoming an emerging approach to monitor mid-/long-term stress in animals, so it is more and more important to develop accurate and reliable methods. In the light of this, the aim of the present study was to compare mane HCCs of 47 horses with different managements, by means of an immunoassay (ELISA) and liquid chromatography coupled to hybrid high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS). After the washing step, the ground hair was extracted with methanol. The extract was evaporated and redissolved in two different aqueous solutions, depending on the detection technique. The methods were validated according to EMA guideline for bioanalytical method validation, in the range 2–50 pg mg−1 (ELISA) and 1–100 pg mg−1 (LC-HRMS/MS). Satisfactory quantitative performances were obtained for both of the approaches, but this latter demonstrated better precision. The detected concentrations in real samples were encompassing the range 1.3–8.8 pg mg−1 and 2.0–17.9 pg mg−1 by means of LC-HRMS/MS and ELISA, respectively. Overall, HCCs measured with ELISA technique were 1.6 times higher. The overestimation of immunoassay results might be caused by cross-reactivity phenomena of laboratory reagents and other structurally similar hormones present in the mane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Saluti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
| | - Matteo Ricci
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Federica Castellani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Maria Novella Colagrande
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Bari
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, via Tolara di Sopra, 50, 40064, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michele Podaliri Vulpiani
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Francesco Cerasoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giovanni Savini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Giampiero Scortichini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola D'Alterio
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Dell'Abruzzo E del Molise "G. Caporale", Via Campo Boario, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lagoda ME, Marchewka J, O'Driscoll K, Boyle LA. Risk Factors for Chronic Stress in Sows Housed in Groups, and Associated Risks of Prenatal Stress in Their Offspring. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:883154. [PMID: 35498729 PMCID: PMC9039259 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.883154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress has a detrimental effect on sow welfare and productivity, as well as on the welfare and resilience of their piglets, mediated prenatally. Despite this, the specific risk factors for chronic stress in pregnant sows are understudied. Group-housed pregnant sows continuously face numerous challenges associated with aspects of the physical (group type and size, flooring, feeding system) and social (stocking density, mixing strategy) environment. There are many well-known potent stressors for pigs that likely contribute to chronic, physiological stress, including overcrowding, hot temperatures, feed restriction, inability to forage, uncomfortable floors, and poor handling. Some of these stressors also contribute to the development of production diseases such as lameness, which in turn are also likely causes of chronic stress because of the associated pain and difficulty accessing resources. The aim of this review is to discuss potential risk factors for chronic stress in pregnant sows such as space allowance, group size and type (stable/dynamic), feeding level, lameness, pen design, feed system, enrichment and rooting material, floor type, the quality of stockmanship, environmental conditions, and individual sow factors. The mechanisms of action of both chronic and prenatal stress, as well as the effects of the latter on offspring are also discussed. Gaps in existing research and recommendations for future work are outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Ewa Lagoda
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Joanna Marchewka
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Poland
| | - Keelin O'Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Fermoy, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Galli MC, Gottardo F, Contiero B, Scollo A, Boyle LA. The changing face and associated drivers of research on welfare of the gestating sow. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.2002732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Costanza Galli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Flaviana Gottardo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Barbara Contiero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Animale, Produzioni e Salute, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, Legnaro, Italy
| | - Annalisa Scollo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, University of Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Laura Ann Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lagoda ME, Boyle LA, Marchewka J, O’Driscoll K. Early Detection of Locomotion Disorders in Gilts Using a Novel Visual Analogue Scale; Associations with Chronic Stress and Reproduction. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102900. [PMID: 34679922 PMCID: PMC8532660 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Locomotion scoring is crucial for the early detection of lameness, which reduces sow welfare and performance. Our objective was to test the effectiveness of a visual analogue scale (VAS) to measure locomotory ability (OVERALL) compared to a categorical scoring system (CAT) and to investigate associations with hair cortisol and reproductive performance. Locomotion was scored in gilts (n = 51) at service, on day 57 and day 108 of pregnancy, and at weaning, using a VAS (150 mm line: 0 mm (perfect)-150 mm (severely lame)), and a CAT (1 (perfect)-5 (severely lame)). Hair cortisol concentration was measured on day 108 of pregnancy. Reproductive performance data (parity 1-4) were acquired from farm records. VAS detected deviations from optimal locomotion more effectively than the CAT (F3,145 = 2.70; p ≤ 0.05 versus F3,195 = 2.45; p = 0.065). Higher OVERALL scores at service (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0012; F1,48 = 4.25; p ≤ 0.05) and on day 57 (REG = 0.003 ± 0.0013; F1,48 = 6.95; p ≤ 0.05) were associated with higher hair cortisol concentrations on day 108. Positive associations were detected between OVERALL at service and the number of piglets born dead (REG = 0.01 ± 0.006; F1,36 = 4.24; p ≤ 0.05), and total born (REG = 0.1 ± 0.03; F1,120 = 4.88; p ≤ 0.05). The VAS better facilitates early detection of lameness, which could help to prevent detrimental effects, possibly mediated by chronic stress, on reproductive performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martyna E. Lagoda
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., P61 P302 Cork, Ireland; (L.A.B.); (K.O.)
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec, 05-552 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Laura A. Boyle
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., P61 P302 Cork, Ireland; (L.A.B.); (K.O.)
| | - Joanna Marchewka
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Postępu 36A, Jastrzębiec, 05-552 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Keelin O’Driscoll
- Pig Development Department, Teagasc Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co., P61 P302 Cork, Ireland; (L.A.B.); (K.O.)
| |
Collapse
|