Parity changed fecal microbiota of sows and its correlation with milk long-chain fatty acid profiles

The goal of this study was to characterize the fecal microbiota profiles of gestating sows, along with the fecal microbiota and milk fatty acid contents of lactating sows and their correlations with reproductive performance at different parities. The results showed that the microbiota of third parity gestating sows contained a greater abundance of Prevotella compared to the other two parity groups, while lactating sows exhibiting higher reproductive performance at fifth parity exhibited a greater abundance of Lactobacillus species. The lactating sows with higher reproductive performance also exhibited higher total monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and higher total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels relative to sows with lower reproductive performance at all three analyzed parities, especially sows at fifth parity produced the lowest total saturated fatty acid (SFA) levels, and showed the highest C18:1n9c and C18:2n6c concentrations. In correlational analyses, the abundance of Oligella, Lactobacillus, and Corynebacterium was highly positively correlated with C18:1n9c, C18:2n6c, and C20:4n6. Overall, these results provide a rational basis for efforts to improve sow reproductive performance through the provision of precisely regulated nutrition. KEY POINTS: • Clear differences in the fecal microbiota were evident between sows of different parities. • Lactating sows with high reproductive performance showed distinct milk fatty acid profiles.

Vitality in Newborn Farm Animals: Adverse Factors, Physiological Responses, Pharmacological Therapies, and Physical Methods to Increase Neonate Vigor

Vitality is the vigor newborn animals exhibit during the first hours of life. It can be assessed by a numerical score, in which variables, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membranes' coloration, time the offspring took to stand up, and meconium staining, are monitored. Vitality can be affected by several factors, and therapies are used to increase it. This manuscript aims to review and analyze pharmacological and physical therapies used to increase vitality in newborn farm animals, as well as to understand the factors affecting this vitality, such as hypoxia, depletion of glycogen, birth weight, dystocia, neurodevelopment, hypothermia, and finally, the physiological mechanism to achieve thermostability. It has been concluded that assessing vitality immediately after birth is essential to determine the newborn's health and identify those that need medical intervention to minimize the deleterious effect of intrapartum asphyxia. Vitality assessment should be conducted by trained personnel and adequate equipment. Evaluating vitality could reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality in domestic animals, even if it is sometimes difficult with the current organization of some farms. This review highlights the importance of increasing the number of stock people during the expected days of parturitions to reduce long-term neonatal morbidity and mortality, and thus, improve the farm's performance.

Early Blood Analysis and Gas Exchange Monitoring in the Canine Neonate: Effect of Dam’s Size and Birth Order

Simple Summary

The complications that are observed during parturition are events that affect the vitality of the newborn and can also compromise their health by predisposing them to fetal hypoxia, increasing newborn mortality. Blood gas analysis to measure the main biomarkers associated with hypoxia evaluates the physiological and metabolic alterations derived from this state, and these could help identify if said markers respond to maternal or neonatal causes. This study aimed to assess the effect of the dam’s size, the birth order, and the presentation of blood gas alterations. Recognizing if these elements are intertwined may enhance newborns’ life expectancy by enabling the planning of a perinatal protocol to avoid serious metabolic consequences that are derived from prolonged hypoxia.

Abstract

In canines, size at birth is determined by the dam’s weight, which would probably affect the newborn’s viability due to litter size and birth order. Fetal hypoxia causes distress and acidemia. Identifying physiological blood alterations in the puppy during the first minute of life through the blood gas exchange of the umbilical cord could determine the puppy’s risk of suffering asphyxiation during labor. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the birth order and dam’s size during spontaneous labor and the alterations during the first minute of life. The results indicate that the dam’s size and the birth order have considerable physiological and metabolic effects in the puppies, mainly in birth order 1 (BO1) in small-size dogs, while in the medium size, the last puppy presented more alterations, probably because of a prolonged whelping which could have fostered hypoxic processes and death. Likewise, with large-size dogs, intrapartum asphyxiation processes were registered during the first minute of life in any birth order.

Pathophysiology of Perinatal Asphyxia in Humans and Animal Models

Perinatal asphyxia is caused by lack of oxygen delivery (hypoxia) to end organs due to an hypoxemic or ischemic insult occurring in temporal proximity to labor (peripartum) or delivery (intrapartum). Hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy is the clinical manifestation of hypoxic injury to the brain and is usually graded as mild, moderate, or severe. The search for useful biomarkers to precisely predict the severity of lesions in perinatal asphyxia and hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a field of increasing interest. As pathophysiology is not fully comprehended, the gold standard for treatment remains an active area of research. Hypothermia has proven to be an effective neuroprotective strategy and has been implemented in clinical routine. Current studies are exploring various add-on therapies, including erythropoietin, xenon, topiramate, melatonin, and stem cells. This review aims to perform an updated integration of the pathophysiological processes after perinatal asphyxia in humans and animal models to allow us to answer some questions and provide an interim update on progress in this field.

Piglet Viability: A Review of Identification and Pre-Weaning Management Strategies

Simple Summary

Neonatal piglet viability is decreasing in concert with the selection for ever-greater numbers of piglets born per sow per year. Their survival depends on the early intervention and management strategies used by production staff. This paper will review current and novel methods used to identify these piglets, some of the factors affecting their viability, and management strategies commonly used within production systems to improve their survival.

Abstract

Increased attention on the effects of the global push for a larger litter size has focused on the increased occurrence of piglets with decreased viability, which have lighter birthweights and a reduced ability to thrive in early life. To improve their odds of survival, interventions must be timely and targeted. This requires the early identification of low-viability pigs and appropriate strategies to manage them. Using novel measures such as abdominal circumference and crown to the rump length in conjunction with birth weight may provide an improved protocol for the identification of those at most risk of preweaning mortality. Further, identifying these at-risk piglets allows interventions to increase their colostrum intake and heat provisions shortly following birth. The appropriate management of the pre- and post-partum sows will improve the chances of decreasing the number of piglets born with lower viability. However, this outcome is constrained by limitations in resources such as technology and staffing. If these challenges can be overcome, it will allow for greater control and increased effectiveness in the implementation of current and new management strategies.

The influence of hypothermia prevention by application of skin moisture absorbent on the value of body temperature, body weight and blood parameters in piglets

ABSTRACT Reducing the mortality rate is of a great economic importance for pig farming. Therefore, it is necessary to define the conditions in the farrowing unit based on the performance of the piglets, and specific hematological and biochemical parameters. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the importance of using skin moisture absorbent and its influence in preventing hypothermia, which causes great economic losses in pig production. The experiment was set up on a commercial farm in Serbia and included 92 pigs divided into the experimental and control group. Body temperature values, body weight and blood parameters were monitored. The obtained values indicate that there is a significantly positive correlation of body temperature change and body weight values, and body temperature showed a significantly higher increase in the experimental group compared to the control group. The results obtained from hematological and biochemical parameters provide a clearer picture of the metabolic processes in piglets in the farrowing unit and can be used to further improve pig production and as a complement to genetic enhancement.

Blood Biomarker Profile Alterations in Newborn Canines: Effect of the Mother's Weight

This study aims to determine the effect of the weight of bitches on liveborn and stillbirth puppies from eutocic births, and physiological blood alterations during the first minute postpartum. A total of 52 female dogs were evaluated and distributed in four categories: C1 (4.0-8.0 kg, n = 19), C2 (8.1-16.0 kg, n = 16), C3 (16.1-32.0 kg, n = 11), and C4 (32.1-35.8 kg, n = 6). The dams produced 225 liveborn puppies and 47 were classified as stillbirth type II. Blood samples were taken from the umbilical vein to evaluate the concentration of gases, glucose, lactate, calcium, hematocrit levels, and blood pH. The liveborn puppies in C2, C3, and C4 had more evident physiological alterations (hypercapnia, acidosis) than those in C1 (p < 0.05). These signs indicate a process of transitory asphyxiation. The stillborn pups in all four categories had higher weights than their liveborn littermates. C3 and C4 had the highest mean weights (419.86 and 433.79 g, respectively) and mortality rates (C3 = 20.58%, C4 = 24.58%). Results suggest that if the weight of the bitch is >16.1 kg in eutocic births, there is a higher risk of intrapartum physiological alterations and death. The results of this study allowed us to identify that the weight of dams before birth determines the weight of the puppies at birth.

An investigation into uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire versus German Saddleback)

Litter size in modern so called hyperprolific pig (Sus scrofa Linnaeus) breeds such as of crossbred Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire (LY/YL) sows increased remarkably over recent years, however, commonly associated with reduced piglet birth weight and higher within litter birth weight variability likely due to a limited uterine capacity. Since investigation into this issue is patchy, the aim of this study was to investigate uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics in two sow lines with different prolificacy, that is crossbred Danish genetic (Danish Landrace x Danish Yorkshire; DG; n = 14) and purebred German Saddleback (GS) sows (n = 12). Parameters recorded were litter size, piglet birth weight and vitality, placental weight and surface area as well as placental vascularization. Litters of DG were on average larger than of GS (p < .001). Piglets of DG weighed on average less than GS (p < .001) and were less vital (p < .001-.142). Increasing litter size was associated with reduced piglet birth weight and increased within litter birth weight variability in GS, but not in DG. DG had on average a lower placental weight (p < .001) and smaller placentae (p < .001) than GS, but the placenta was on average more efficient than of GS (based on the quotient of piglet and corresponding placental weight; p < .001). Vascularization of placentae was on average not or only slightly different between breeds (p < .05 - .982). Remarkably, however, vascularization of the lateral and apical chorionic epithelium of the chorionic ridges as the immediate foetal/maternal interface was on average slightly higher in DG than GS (p < .05-.111). Results thus demonstrate that uterine capacity based on litter and placental characteristics is higher in DG than GS sows.

Caffeine administered to pregnant sows improves piglet vitality, gas exchange and body weight gain

Intra-partum asphyxia is the most common non-infectious etiology limiting the performance of neonate piglets. Previous studies indicate caffeine (orally and subcutaneously) reverses the effects of intra-partum asphyxia in neonate piglets. In this study, there was investigation of whether use of a novel therapeutic protocol for administering caffeine subcutaneously to pregnant sows would improve the newborn piglets' vitality, physio-metabolic profiles and body weight gain. Sows were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10 each). Caffeine or NaCl 0.9% was administered 2 days pre-farrowing. Physio-metabolic profiles were measured using blood from the anterior vena cava. The vitality of piglets was evaluated immediately after birth. Piglets (n = 180) were weighed at birth and on days 7, 14 and 21 of lactation. Caffeine positively affected the vitality of the piglets, as indicated by greater vitality scores than that for the control group (8.72 ± 0.12 compared with 7.28 ± 0.16, P < 0.001). Metabolic values were similar between groups, but pO₂ values were greater in the piglets with greater vitality scores treated with caffeine (19.10 ± 0.82 compared with 14.49 ± 1.42, P < 0.01), indicating increased respiratory rates. Body weight gain at day 21 was greater in the piglets treated with caffeine that had greater vitality scores than the control piglets having greater vitality scores (6.87 ± 0.18 compared with 6.52 ± 0.25 kg, P < 0.05). Caffeine administration before birth improves the vitality and respiratory capacity of piglets, increasing their adaptation to extra-uterine environment.

Neurophysiological development of newborn pigs: effect of the sow

The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of sow parity on neonatal piglet health and vitality at birth. We evaluated 1505 neonate piglets, which were born of York–Landrace sows with the following parity distribution: primiparous (n = 202), second (n = 207), third (n = 211), fourth (n = 222), fifth (n = 225), sixth (n = 218) and seventh parity (n = 220). Piglets born to primiparous and seventh-parity sows had the lowest and highest birthweights respectively, and showed the most marked imbalances in blood gas exchanges, acid–base balance and energy profiles, as well as the highest percentage of severe meconium staining of the skin and the lowest vitality scores (P &lt; 0.05). In contrast, the neonates from the fourth-parity sows had the highest vitality scores, required less time to reach the mother’s teat, and had the highest percentage of adhered umbilical cords and newborns with dyspnoea, apnoea and abnormal heartbeat (P &lt; 0.05). The results of this study suggest that during eutocic farrowings, the sow’s parity number has the following effects on newborn piglets: reduced vigour and longer latencies to begin breathing, stand and take the teat. These effects are due to the presence of imbalances in gas exchanges, the acid–base balance and energy profiles that occurred when the mother was a primiparous or older sow. These signs indicate that the newborn piglet survived a process of intrapartum asphyxia.

Modeling Zika Virus-Associated Birth Defects in Nonhuman Primates

In utero infection with Zika virus (ZIKV) during pregnancy can lead to the development of birth defects and postnatal deficits. A nonhuman primate (NHP) model of congenital ZIKV infection can help fill the gaps in knowledge where tissue studies are required to define viral pathogenesis and identify targets for therapeutic intervention. This model system has already identified critical features of ZIKV pathogenesis in congenital infection. Before translating these NHP studies to human clinical trials, we must understand the similarities and differences between human and NHP fetal immune system development, neural development, and infant assessment tools. Because of the overall similarity between fetal and infant development in humans and NHPs, this NHP model can complement human clinical trials by defining immune correlates of protection and evaluating therapeutic interventions.

Genetic selection against intrauterine growth retardation in piglets: a problem at the piglet level with a solution at the sow level

Background

In polytocous livestock species, litter size and offspring weight act antagonistically; in modern pig breeds, selection for increased litter size has resulted in lower mean birth weights, an increased number of small piglets and an increased number of those affected by varying degrees of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). IUGR poses life-long challenges, both mental, with morphological brain changes and altered cognition, and physical, such as immaturity of organs, reduced colostrum intake and weight gain. In pigs, head morphology of newborn piglets is a good phenotypic marker for identifying such compromised piglets. Growth retardation could be considered as a property of the dam, in part due to either uterine capacity or insufficiency. A novel approach to this issue is to consider the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter as an indirect measure of uterine capacity. However, uterine capacity or sufficiency cannot be equated solely to litter size and thus is a trait difficult to measure on farm.

Results

A total of 21,159 Landrace × Large White or Landrace × White Duroc piglets (born over 52 weeks) with recorded head morphology and birth weights were followed from birth until death or weaning. At the piglet level, the estimated heritability for IUGR (as defined by head morphology) was low at 0.01 ± 0.01. Piglet direct genetic effects of birth weight (h² = 0.07 ± 0.02) were strongly negatively correlated with head morphology (− 0.93), in that IUGR-affected piglets tended to have lower birth weights. At the sow level, analysis of the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter gave a heritability of 0.20 ± 0.06, with high and negative genetic correlations of the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets with average offspring birth weight (− 0.90) and with the proportion of piglets surviving until 24 h (− 0.80).

Conclusions

This suggests that the proportion of IUGR-affected piglets in a litter is a suitable indirect measure of uterine capacity for inclusion in breeding programmes that aim at reducing IUGR in piglets and improving piglet survival.

Physiological and metabolic responses in newborn piglets associated with the birth order

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of birth order on the physiological and metabolic responses of the newborn piglet the first hours after birth. A total of 281 randomly selected newborn piglets were included, classified according to birth order in 12 groups (L1-L12). The expulsion interval, neonatal vitality, latency in connecting to the maternal teat and physiological profile were recorded for each piglet. The number of piglets born alive and dead was also recorded. The blood gases, electrolytes and glucose levels of the neonates were obtained by means of an automatic blood gas and electrolyte analyzer. Groups L1, L2, L11, and L12 had the least score on the vitality scale, the longest expulsion intervals, and longest latency to connect with the maternal teat, as well as greater physiological alterations (hyperglycemia, hyperlactatemia and hypercapnia) compared to groups L4 to L9. Likewise, type-II stillbirths only occurred in the first and last quarter of the birth order of the litter. In conclusion, piglets born in the first and last quarter of the birth order of the litter had a greater risk of having physiological and behavioral alterations during farrowing.