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Diehl B, Oster M, Vernunft A, Wimmers K, Bostedt H. Intrinsic challenges of neonatal adaptation in swine. Arch Anim Breed 2022; 65:427-438. [DOI: 10.5194/aab-65-427-2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract. The losses of piglets in commercial pig farming remain at
concerning levels and need to be addressed through the implementation of new
sustainable breeding and management strategies. In fact, piglets are
especially at risk in the first days of life. Both genetics and the
farrowing process have been shown to impact piglet vitality. In addition,
knowledge of the animal-intrinsic responses in adapting to extra-uterine
life is particularly important but is scarcely described in the scientific
literature. In this review, the three phases that constitute neonatal
adaptation in the pig are systematically presented. The first phase of early
adaptation involves primarily the development of cardiorespiratory function
(within the first 10 min of life) as well as thermoregulatory processes
and acid–base balance (up to 24 h of life). In the second phase,
homeostasis is established, and organ maturation takes place (up to 14 d
post natum). The final third phase aims at the development of neurological,
immunological and muscular features (up to 28 d of life). The involvement
of aggravating and ameliorating factors such as dystocia, low colostrum
yield and heat supply is key to the development of strategies to reduce
piglet losses and increase vitality. The insights are of particular value in
addressing current concerns in pig farming and to further improve animal
welfare in pig production across different management types.
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Baert S, Aubé L, Haley DB, Bergeron R, Devillers N. The protective role of wallowing against heat stress in gestating and lactating sows housed outdoors. Physiol Behav 2022; 254:113898. [PMID: 35792155 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the physiological response of gestating and lactating sows to naturally-occurring environmental conditions, and to identify factors that may contribute to or prevent heat stress, while being kept outdoors in Québec, Canada during the summer. Six groups of 4 Yorkshire-Landrace sows lived in outdoor pens equipped with a wallow, shade structure, farrowing huts and access to a pasture from July to September, 2018. Between week 15 of gestation and week 3 of lactation (inclusive), we recorded the location of each sow 5 days/week during 5 daily 15-min observation periods, and additionally measured the sow's respiratory rate and mud cover at the end of each observation period. Simultaneously, we collected sow body temperature data with vaginal temperature loggers 24h/d on week 15 of gestation and week 2 of lactation, and monitored environmental conditions with temperature and humidity loggers to calculate the temperature humidity index (THI). Sows had significantly higher and more variable body temperatures during lactation compared to gestation (P≤0.0001), and when THI was analyzed as a continuous variable, it was positively associated with sow body temperature during the night in lactation. During gestation, neither respiratory rate nor body temperature were associated with high or low levels of THI (P=0.15 and 0.79, respectively) or mud cover (P=0.29 and 0.94, respectively). However, in lactation, respiratory rate was higher when, simultaneously, THI exceeded 74 and mud cover was low (P=0.006), while a THI higher than 74 and a low mud cover had independent effects on body temperature (P=0.012 and 0.004, respectively). In lactation, sows that spent an entire observation period in the farrowing hut also had a higher respiratory rate than sows that left the hut at least once (P=0.009). In summary, lactating sows were more likely to show increases in respiratory rate and body temperature in warmer conditions than gestating sows, and our findings also suggest that time in the farrowing hut may be a risk factor for heat stress. However, mud cover may limit these physiological consequences when sows have access to a wallow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Baert
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1M 1Z3; Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Gordon Street & College Avenue West, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1.
| | - Lydiane Aubé
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1M 1Z3.
| | - Derek B Haley
- Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Gordon Street & College Avenue West, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1.
| | - Renée Bergeron
- Department of Animal Biosciences, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1G 2W1.
| | - Nicolas Devillers
- Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada, J1M 1Z3.
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Conrad L, Aubé L, Heuchan E, Conte S, Bergeron R, Devillers N. Effects of farrowing hut design on maternal and thermoregulatory behaviour in outdoor housed sows and piglets. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Schild SLA, Baxter EM, Pedersen LJ. A review of neonatal mortality in outdoor organic production and possibilities to increase piglet survival. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Schild SLA, Foldager L, Rangstrup-Christensen L, Pedersen LJ. Characteristics of Piglets Born by Two Highly Prolific Sow Hybrids. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:355. [PMID: 32671111 PMCID: PMC7326779 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
High piglet mortality constitutes a welfare challenge in Danish organic pig production with almost one in three piglets dying before weaning. Piglet characteristics such as birth weight, rectal temperature and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) affect piglet survival. Due to differences in breeding goals, these characteristics may be expected to differ between sow hybrids. Thus, the aims of the present study were (1) to investigate piglet characteristics in two highly prolific sow hybrids and (2) to study to which extent the aforementioned characteristics affect piglet mortality. Forty-nine sows (22 DanBred and 27 Topigs Norsvin) were followed in their first two parities. Sows were housed outdoors and gave birth in huts. On day 1 postpartum ( pp ) piglets were individually marked, weighed, their rectal temperature was recorded and they were scored for IUGR. Weight and rectal temperature were recorded again 3 days pp. Principal component analyses were conducted to explore relationships among variables. Early piglet death grouped with IUGR, lower rectal temperature and weight on day 1 pp. Late mortality grouped with increasing litter size and DanBred hybrid. Whilst, Topigs Norsvin hybrid grouped with increasing rectal temperature day 3 pp, longer crown to rump length, higher weight and more teats on the sow. Results of the statistical analyses showed that Topigs Norsvin piglets were heavier 1 and 3 days pp (p < 0.001) compared to DanBred piglets. Furthermore, Topigs Norsvin piglets had a higher rectal temperature than DanBred on day 1 pp (p = 0.023). The risk of IUGR depended on an interaction between sow hybrid and parity (p = 0.023). DanBred sows gave birth to more piglets (18.2 ± 0.6) than Topigs Norsvin sows (15.7 ± 0.5, p = 0.003), however, DanBred sows had fewer teats than Topigs Norsvin sows. Weight on day 1 pp affected both the odds of stillbirth (p < 0.001) and live born death (p < 0.001). Lower rectal temperature day 1 pp (p < 0.001) increased the odds of live born death. In conclusion, the investigated hybrids differed in several piglet characteristics related to piglet mortality. Use of sows giving birth to heavier and fewer piglets in the litter may thus be a useful tool to reduce piglet mortality in pig production with outdoor farrowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Lina Aagaard Schild
- Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Alnarp, Sweden.,Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Leslie Foldager
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark.,Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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Schild SLA, Rangstrup-Christensen L, Bonde M, Pedersen LJ. The use of a shaded area during farrowing and lactation in sows kept outdoors. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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