1
|
Baxter EM, Bowers N, King R, Brocklehurst S, Edwards SA. Factors contributing to high performance of sows in free farrowing systems. Porcine Health Manag 2024; 10:16. [PMID: 38698485 PMCID: PMC11064381 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-024-00366-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pressure to abolish farrowing crates is increasing, and producers are faced with decisions about which alternative system to adopt. For sow welfare, well designed free farrowing systems without close confinement are considered optimal but producers have concerns about increased piglet mortality, particularly crushing by the sow. Reporting accurate performance figures from commercial farms newly operating such systems could inform the transition process. This study investigated performance on three commercial farms operating four different zero-confinement systems, three of which were newly installed. A total of 3212 litters from 2920 sows were followed from farrowing to weaning over a three-year period with key performance indicators (KPIs) recorded. Mixed Models (LMMs, GLMMs) determined the influence of different factors (e.g. farrowing system, sow parity, management aspects) and litter characteristics on performance, including levels and causes of piglet mortality. RESULTS Piglet mortality was significantly influenced by farm/system. Live-born mortality ranged from 10.3 to 20.6% with stillbirths ranging from 2.5 to 5.9%. A larger litter size and higher parity resulted in higher levels of mortality regardless of system. In all systems, crushing was the main cause of piglet mortality (59%), but 31% of sows did not crush any piglets, whilst 26% crushed only one piglet and the remaining sows (43%) crushed two or more piglets. System significantly influenced crushing as a percentage of all deaths, with the system with the smallest spatial footprint (m2) compared to the other systems, recording the highest levels of crushing. Time from the start of the study influenced mortality, with significant reductions in crushing mortality (by ~ 4%) over the course of the three-year study. There was a highly significant effect of length of time (days) between moving sows into the farrowing accommodation and sows farrowing on piglet mortality (P < 0.001). The less time between sows moving in and farrowing, the higher the levels of piglet mortality, with ~ 3% increase in total mortality every five days. System effects were highly significant after adjusting for parity, litter size, and days pre-farrowing. CONCLUSION These results from commercial farms demonstrate that even sows that have not been specifically selected for free farrowing are able, in many cases, to perform well in these zero-confinement systems, but that a period of adaptation is to be expected for overall farm performance. There are performance differences between the farms/systems which can be attributed to individual farm/system characteristics (e.g. pen design and management, staff expertise, pig genotypes, etc.). Higher parity sows and those producing very large litters provide a greater challenge to piglet mortality in these free farrowing systems (just as they do in crate systems). Management significantly influences performance, and ensuring sows have plenty of time to acclimatise between moving in to farrowing accommodation and giving birth is a critical aspect of improving piglet survival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Baxter
- Animal and Veterinary Sciences Research Group, Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, UK.
| | - Nicola Bowers
- Farmvet Integrated Livestock Services, Unit 3 Zenith Park Network Centre, Whaley Road, Barnsley, S75 1HT, UK
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Rebecca King
- ADAS Leeds, 4205 Park Approach, Leeds, LS15 8GB, UK
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| | | | - Sandra A Edwards
- School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sanz-Fernández S, Díaz-Gaona C, Casas-Rosal JC, Alòs N, Tusell L, Quintanilla R, Rodríguez-Estévez V. Preweaning piglet survival on commercial farms. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skad408. [PMID: 38085796 PMCID: PMC10781431 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Preweaning piglet mortality (PWM), a trait highly related to litter size, is one of the main concerns associated with productive efficiency and animal welfare in commercial pig farms. The objectives of this work were to study piglet survival at the farm level, to establish a survival rate (SR) as a target indicator to be improved, and to model it based on other reproductive parameters. Analyzed data corresponded to 580 Spanish commercial farms with a total inventory of 809,768 sows. These farms showed a mean SR of 85.70% piglets born alive (BA), which decreased to 81.81% when total piglets born (TB) were considered. The SR was strongly associated with prolificacy (P < 0.01), the parities with the highest prolificacy being those that had the lowest SR. Thus, the highest correlations were for the SR of piglets BA in the third and fourth parities (r = -0.460 and r = -0.452, respectively, P < 0.01), and for the SR of piglets TB in the fourth parity (r = -0.546, P < 0.01), which was the one with the highest prolificacy. The values corresponding to the quartile of farms with the highest SR within the most productive farms were established as targets to be improved, which were ≥88.5% of piglets BA and 83.2% of piglets TB. Nevertheless, the direct associations shown between the piglet's survival and prolificacy and other productive factors, such as the age of piglets at weaning, the farrowings per sow and year and the farrowing interval, suggest the convenience of modeling the risk of PWM on farms to have its own target of survival index to be improved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Santos Sanz-Fernández
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Cipriano Díaz-Gaona
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Nuria Alòs
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Llibertat Tusell
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Raquel Quintanilla
- Animal Breeding and Genetics Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), 08140 Caldes de Montbui, Spain
| | - Vicente Rodríguez-Estévez
- Department of Animal Production, UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, International Agrifood Campus of Excellence (ceiA3), University of Córdoba, Campus de Rabanales, 14071 Córdoba, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dumniem N, Boonprakob R, Parsons TD, Tummaruk P. Pen Versus Crate: A Comparative Study on the Effects of Different Farrowing Systems on Farrowing Performance, Colostrum Yield and Piglet Preweaning Mortality in Sows under Tropical Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020233. [PMID: 36670773 PMCID: PMC9855041 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study was performed to determine the farrowing performance of sows, newborn piglet characteristics, colostrum yield, milk yield and piglet preweaning mortality in a free-farrowing pen compared to a conventional farrowing crate system in a tropical environment. A total of 92 sows and 1344 piglets were included in the study. The sows were allocated by parity into two farrowing systems, either a free-farrowing pen (n = 54 sows and 805 piglets) or a crate (n = 38 sows and 539 piglets). Backfat thickness and loin muscle depth of sows at 109.0 ± 3.0 days of gestation were measured. Reproductive performance data including total number of piglets born (TB), number of piglets born alive (BA), percentage of stillborn piglets (SB) and percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter, farrowing duration, piglet expulsion interval, time from onset of farrowing to the last placental expulsion, piglet preweaning mortality rate, percentage of piglets crushed by sows and number of piglets at weaning were analysed. In addition, piglet colostrum intake, colostrum yield, Brix index and milk yield of sows were evaluated. On average, TB, BA, farrowing duration, colostrum yield and milk yield during 3 to 10 and 10 to 17 days of lactation were 14.7 ± 2.8, 12.8 ± 3.1, 213.2 ± 142.2 min, 5.3 ± 1.4 kg, 8.6 ± 1.5 kg, and 10.4 ± 2.2 kg, respectively. Sows kept in the free-farrowing pen tended to produce more colostrum than crated sows (5.5 ± 0.2 vs. 4.9 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.080). Piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system (437.0 ± 6.9 and 411.7 ± 8.3 g, p = 0.019). However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate (26.8 ± 2.9 vs. 17.0 ± 3.8, p = 0.045) and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows (13.1 ± 2.1 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7, p = 0.037) in the free-farrowing pen were higher than those in the crate system. Interestingly, in the free-farrowing pen, piglet preweaning mortality rate in sows with high backfat thickness was higher than that in sows with moderate (37.8 ± 5.1% vs. 21.6 ± 3.6%, p = 0.011) and low (21.0 ± 6.2%, p = 0.038) backfat thickness. Moreover, the incidence of crushing in sows with high backfat thickness was higher in the free-farrowing pen than in the crate system (17.6 ± 3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 5.7, p = 0.049), but this difference was not detected for sows with moderate and low backfat thickness (p > 0.05). Milk yield of sows during 3 to 10 days (8.6 ± 0.2 vs. 8.6 ± 2.3, p > 0.05) and 10 to 17 days (10.2 ± 0.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.4, p > 0.05) did not differ between the two farrowing systems. In conclusion, piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system. However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows in the free-farrowing pen were higher than in the crate system. Interestingly, a high proportion of piglet preweaning mortality in the free-farrowing system was detected only in sows with high backfat thickness before farrowing but not in those with low and moderate backfat thickness. Therefore, additional management in sows with high backfat thickness (>24 mm) before farrowing should be considered to avoid the crushing of piglets by sows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natchanon Dumniem
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Rafa Boonprakob
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thomas D. Parsons
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, PA 19348-1692, USA
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Spörri-Vontobel C, Simmler M, Wechsler B, Scriba MF. Risk factors differ for viable and low viable crushed piglets in free farrowing pens. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1172446. [PMID: 37152692 PMCID: PMC10160680 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1172446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Newborn piglets have a high risk of being crushed by the sow, and this risk implies welfare and economic consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of differentiating between low viable (secondary crushing losses) and viable crushed (primary crushing losses) piglets for the evaluation of risk factors for crushing related to characteristics of the sow, the litter, and the environment. Eleven Swiss farmers recorded sows' production data (parity class, gestation length, numbers of live-born and stillborn piglets), data (age, sex, weight, cause of death, and signs of weakness) for every live-born piglet that died in the first week after birth (piglet loss), and ambient temperature. Piglet losses were assigned to five categorical events: piglet loss, subdivided into not crushed and crushed, the latter being further subdivided into low viable crushed and viable crushed. Piglets recorded by the farmer as crushed were assigned to the events low viable crushed and viable crushed based on the piglet's body weight and signs of weakness (diseases, malformations). Data of 9,543 live-born piglets from 740 litters were eventually used to statistically model the hazard of dying at any given time in the first week after birth due to one of these events (mixed-effects Cox model). Five potential risk factors were analyzed as co-variates: parity class, gestation length, number of live-born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, and daily number of hours with ambient temperature >30°C. We identified two risk factors for dying from the event viable crushed that were not identified as risk factors for low viable crushed, namely shorter gestation length and higher daily number of hours with ambient temperature > 30°C. Vice-versa, we identified additional live-born piglets in the litter as risk factor for low viable crushed, but not for viable crushed. Our results show the importance of differentiating between low viable and viable crushed piglets for the interpretation of risk factors for crushing losses. Therefore, we suggest that for breeding purposes and in research, this differentiation should be made.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Spörri-Vontobel
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Cornelia Spörri-Vontobel,
| | - Michael Simmler
- Digital Production Group, Agroscope, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - Beat Wechsler
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| | - Madeleine F. Scriba
- Centre for Proper Housing of Ruminants and Pigs, Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Ettenhausen, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Animal Welfare Compromises Associated with Causes of Death in Neonatal Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12212933. [PMID: 36359057 PMCID: PMC9658477 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The pre-weaning piglet mortality percentage is a commonly reported metric on commercial pig farms. The mortality percentage tells us how many piglets died, but not what their welfare status was as it relates to their cause of death. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the likely experience of piglets that died, following confirmation of the cause of death via postmortem investigation. The Five Domains Model was then used to collate scientific evidence of the likely experience of these piglets before death from acute disease, starvation, crushing, savaging and euthanasia, to understand the impact of different causes on their welfare. The resulting findings raised the question of differentiating ‘smothering’ as a cause of death from ‘crushing,’, and that co-morbidities (such as hypothermia) may alter the welfare experience due to their influence on consciousness before death. Abstract This pilot study aimed to assess the welfare impacts of different causes of pre-weaning deaths in piglets. Piglets that died between 0–7 days after birth (n = 106) were collected from two commercial pig farms and subject to post-mortem examination to confirm their cause of death as well as any contributing factors. Using the Five Domains Model, the most likely affective experiences associated with the pathological findings were carefully inferred to better understand affective experience as it related to known causes of liveborn piglet mortality. The most common causes of liveborn piglet mortality were starvation (23%), crushing (23%) and non-viable (21%). Thirty one piglets had evidence of starvation, but it was only considered the primary cause of death in 15 piglets, as cofactors such as poor viability (n = 13) were also present in many piglets with evidence of starvation. All 15 piglets that were crushed died within 24 h after birth and most had evidence of thoracic and/or abdominal internal bleeding. This study found that common causes of liveborn piglet death were associated with compromises in Domains 1 (Nutrition/hydration), 3 (Health/function), and4 (Behavioural interactions), with the most likely resulting affective states described in Domain 5 (Mental state). This highlights the interaction between physical/functional and situation-related (behavioural) aspects that influence an animals’ welfare status.
Collapse
|
6
|
Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt G, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Winckler C, Edwards S, Ivanova S, Leeb C, Wechsler B, Fabris C, Lima E, Mosbach‐Schulz O, Van der Stede Y, Vitali M, Spoolder H. Welfare of pigs on farm. EFSA J 2022; 20:e07421. [PMID: 36034323 PMCID: PMC9405538 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This scientific opinion focuses on the welfare of pigs on farm, and is based on literature and expert opinion. All pig categories were assessed: gilts and dry sows, farrowing and lactating sows, suckling piglets, weaners, rearing pigs and boars. The most relevant husbandry systems used in Europe are described. For each system, highly relevant welfare consequences were identified, as well as related animal-based measures (ABMs), and hazards leading to the welfare consequences. Moreover, measures to prevent or correct the hazards and/or mitigate the welfare consequences are recommended. Recommendations are also provided on quantitative or qualitative criteria to answer specific questions on the welfare of pigs related to tail biting and related to the European Citizen's Initiative 'End the Cage Age'. For example, the AHAW Panel recommends how to mitigate group stress when dry sows and gilts are grouped immediately after weaning or in early pregnancy. Results of a comparative qualitative assessment suggested that long-stemmed or long-cut straw, hay or haylage is the most suitable material for nest-building. A period of time will be needed for staff and animals to adapt to housing lactating sows and their piglets in farrowing pens (as opposed to crates) before achieving stable welfare outcomes. The panel recommends a minimum available space to the lactating sow to ensure piglet welfare (measured by live-born piglet mortality). Among the main risk factors for tail biting are space allowance, types of flooring, air quality, health status and diet composition, while weaning age was not associated directly with tail biting in later life. The relationship between the availability of space and growth rate, lying behaviour and tail biting in rearing pigs is quantified and presented. Finally, the panel suggests a set of ABMs to use at slaughter for monitoring on-farm welfare of cull sows and rearing pigs.
Collapse
|
7
|
Vande Pol KD, Bautista RO, Harper H, Shull CM, Brown CB, Ellis M. Effect of rearing cross-fostered piglets in litters of either uniform or mixed birth weights on preweaning growth and mortality. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab030. [PMID: 34841203 PMCID: PMC8611808 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-fostering is a practice commonly used in the swine industry to equalize litter
sizes, however, there is limited understanding of the optimum cross-fostering methods that
will maximize piglet preweaning growth and survival. This study evaluated the effects of
within-litter variation in birth weight after cross-fostering on piglet preweaning
mortality (PWM) and weaning weight (WW) using litters of 15 piglets. A hierarchical
incomplete block design was used (blocking factors: day of farrowing and sow parity, body
condition score, and number of functional teats) with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of
treatments: 1) Birth Weight Category (BWC): Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or
Heavy (1.5 to 2.0 kg); 2) Litter Composition: UNIFORM (all 15 piglets in each litter of
the same BWC), or MIXED (five piglets in each litter from each BWC, i.e., five Light, five
Medium, and five Heavy piglets). At 24 h after birth, piglets were weighed and randomly
allotted to litter composition treatments from within BWC. The experimental unit was five
piglets of the same BWC; there were three experimental units within each Litter
Composition treatment litter. There were 17 blocks, each of six litters (one UNIFORM
litter of each BWC; three MIXED litters) and 51 replicates (three replicates per block of
six litters) for a total of 102 cross-fostered litters and 1,530 piglets. Piglets were
weaned at 19.7 ± 0.46 d of age; WW and PWM were measured. PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS
were used to analyze PWM and WW, respectively. Models included BWC, Litter Composition,
the interaction, and replicate within the block. There were BWC by Litter Composition
treatment interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM and WW. Preweaning mortality
was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Light piglets in MIXED than UNIFORM litters.
In contrast, for Heavy piglets, PWM was greater (P ≤ 0.05) and WW was
lower (P ≤ 0.05) in UNIFORM than MIXED litters. Medium piglets had
similar (P > 0.05) PWM and WW in UNIFORM and MIXED litters. The
results of this study, which involved large litter sizes typical of current commercial
production, suggested that for piglet survival to weaning, using cross-fostering to form
litters of piglets of similar birth weight was beneficial for light piglets, detrimental
for heavy piglets, and neutral for medium piglets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D Vande Pol
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Raphael O Bautista
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Heath Harper
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Ellis
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Staarvik T, Framstad T, Heggelund M, Brynjulvsrud Fremgaarden S, Kielland C. Blood-glucose levels in newborn piglets and the associations between blood-glucose levels, intrauterine growth restriction and pre-weaning mortality. Porcine Health Manag 2019; 5:22. [PMID: 31583111 PMCID: PMC6771096 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-019-0129-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between blood-glucose levels in one-day-old-piglets (ODOP), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre-weaning mortality in a commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway. Material and methods The study was carried out in a non-crate commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway and 426 live born piglets from 31 litters were included. Piglets were blood-sampled, ear tagged, weighed and measured within 24 h after birth. Litter size, cross fostering and deaths until weaning were recorded. Blood was collected by vein puncture of Vena subcutanea abdominis and blood-glucose levels were measured using a handheld glucometer. Piglets were given an IUGR-score (1–3) based on head-morphology where a score of 3 is defined as an intrauterine growth restricted piglet. Results Of the 426 live born piglets, 391 piglets survived until weaning, resulting in 8.22% pre-weaning mortality. Mean piglet weight in ODOP was 1.59 kg (SD = 0.36), and mean blood-glucose level was 5.48 mmol/l (SD = 1.44). IUGR score 3 piglets had lower blood-glucose levels (Coef. = − 1.7 mmol/l, P < .001) than normal piglets (IUGR score 1). Males had significantly higher blood glucose levels (Coef. = 0.23 mmol/l, P = .044) compared to females. There was a trend that blood-glucose levels in individual piglets were lower in large litters with − 0.07 mmol/l per extra piglet born (P = .054). Piglets with blood-glucose levels in the second quartile had reduced risk of pre-weaning mortality (OR = 0.32, P = .046) compared to piglets with blood-glucose levels in the lower quartile. This is also true for piglets in the third and fourth quartile (OR = 0.13, P = 0.004). Conclusion This study identified IUGR to be associated with low blood-glucose levels in ODOP. It also found increased pre-weaning mortality in ODOP with low blood-glucose. By identifying IUGR piglets by the shape of their head, piglet producers may reduce pre-weaning mortality by making sure these piglets get enough colostrum, milk or supplement feeding (i.e. energy).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Trude Staarvik
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tore Framstad
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mina Heggelund
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sunniva Brynjulvsrud Fremgaarden
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Camilla Kielland
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hiob L, Holzhausen I, Sperling D, Pagny G, Meppiel L, Isaka N, Daugschies A. Efficacy of an injectable toltrazuril - gleptoferron (Forceris ®) to control coccidiosis ( Cystoisospora suis) in comparison with iron supplemented piglets without anticoccidial treatment. Vet Parasitol 2019; 1:100002. [PMID: 32904741 PMCID: PMC7458377 DOI: 10.1016/j.vpoa.2019.100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The efficacy and safety of an injectable combination product containing toltrazuril and gleptoferron (Forceris® - CEVA) for the control of coccidiosis due to Cystoisospora suis was investigated in neonatal piglets. The study was carried out on five European commercial pig farms in France, Germany and Spain and 122 litters consisting of 1508 piglets were selected and randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. The first group received a single intramuscular injection per piglet of the test product, containing 45 mg toltrazuril and 200 mg iron and this was compared with a control group, which was administered a single intramuscular treatment of iron at 200 mg per piglet only. Body weights, faecal scores and oocysts counts, recorded as oocysts per gram of faeces, (OPG) were observed for 21 days. Only 1138 piglets were actually exposed to coccidiosis and data sets of these animals were selected for statistical analysis. The efficacy of the test product in the control of coccidiosis was shown in higher body weight gains, a lower percentage of animals with diarrhoea, fewer samples with positive oocysts counts as well as a lower excretion peak and a reduced area under the curve of OPG from study day (SD) 4 - SD 21. The combination product of toltrazuril and gleptoferron provided an effective alternative approach to current conventional separate treatment for the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia and coccidiosis in neonatal piglets. It reduced the numbers of potentially stressful interventions and work time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lysanne Hiob
- Albrecht - Daniel - Thaer - Institute for Agricultural Sciences e.V. at University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ivette Holzhausen
- Albrecht - Daniel - Thaer - Institute for Agricultural Sciences e.V. at University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniel Sperling
- CEVA Santé Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastière, 33500 Libourne, France
| | - Gaëlle Pagny
- CEVA Santé Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastière, 33500 Libourne, France
| | - Laurianne Meppiel
- CEVA Santé Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastière, 33500 Libourne, France
| | - Naomi Isaka
- CEVA Santé Animale, 10 avenue de la Ballastière, 33500 Libourne, France
| | - Arwid Daugschies
- Albrecht - Daniel - Thaer - Institute for Agricultural Sciences e.V. at University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 29, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, An den Tierkliniken 35, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Gatto IRH, Sonálio K, de Oliveira LG. Atypical Porcine Pestivirus (APPV) as a New Species of Pestivirus in Pig Production. Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:35. [PMID: 30847345 PMCID: PMC6393339 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Pestivirus, which belongs to the family Flaviviridae, includes ssRNA+ viruses responsible for infectious diseases in swine, cattle, sheep, goats, and other domestic and wild animals. Recently, several putative pestiviruses species have been discovered and characterized in mammalian species (giraffe pestivirus, antelope pestivirus, HoBi virus, Bungowannah virus, and Linda virus); one of these is a genetically distinct pestivirus, named atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV), discovered using the next-generation sequencing technology. APPV has been detected in piglets with congenital tremor (CT) from four different continents, including North America, South America, Europe, and Asia. There is strong evidence that experimental inoculation and in field outbreaks involving APPV induce CT in piglets. Additionally, splay leg (SL) syndrome has been observed concurrently with CT, and it was induced by APPV in experimental studies and some field cases. Animals with a persistent and/or chronic infection condition can shed the virus over time. Viral-RNA is frequently detected in different tissues from CT-piglets; however, high loads of APPV are detected most consistently in central nervous tissue. Moreover, the APPV genome has been recently detected in semen and preputial swabs from boar studs, as well as in serum and tissue samples from wild boars and domestic adult pigs, all known to be clinically healthy. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the APPV sequence (complete or partial polyprotein) exhibits high genetic diversity between viral strains detected in different countries and formed independent clusters according to geographic location. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the molecular detection and sero-prevalence of APPV around the world. Lastly, more research is needed to understand clinical presentations associated with APPV infection, as well as the economic losses related to the virus in pig production worldwide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Igor Renan Honorato Gatto
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Karina Sonálio
- School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|