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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Taylor PS, Schrobback P, Verdon M, Lee C. An effective environmental enrichment framework for the continual improvement of production animal welfare. Anim Welf 2023; 32:e14. [PMID: 38487434 PMCID: PMC10936304 DOI: 10.1017/awf.2023.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Substrates and objects are provided to farm animals on the assumption that they improve animal welfare by enriching the environment, but these often fail to consider the extent to which an environmental enrichment (EE) improves animal welfare, if at all. Furthermore, there are numerous definitions of EE, each with a unique expectation. If expectations of animal welfare improvement are set too high, industry uptake may be thwarted, but if thresholds are set too low it will not result in meaningful improvements to animal welfare. We propose an EE framework based on revised definitions of EE that reflect improvements to various components of animal welfare: (i) pseudo-enrichment; (ii) EE for meeting basic needs; (iii) EE for pleasure; and (iv) EE for positive welfare balance. This framework requires short- and long-term assessments to determine the impact of the EE, although many are lacking in the production animal literature. Redefining EE with a focus on specific animal welfare outcomes will assist producers in identifying the optimal EE for their enterprise. Subsequently, we encourage dialogue between farmers, researchers and industry stakeholders when designing environmental enrichment programmes. This framework is a science-based tool that can be used to inform the development of clear EE assessment protocols and requirements for animal welfare legislation, assurance programmes and industry. This evidence-based framework ensures that the focus is on the outcome of EE programmes rather than the intent. Importantly, this framework has the flexibility to adapt even as baseline environments evolve, ensuring the continual improvement to production animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peta S Taylor
- School of Envrionmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, 2351, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Megan Verdon
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Burnie, TAS, Australia
| | - Caroline Lee
- CSIRO, Agriculture & Food, Locked Bag 1, Armidale, NSW2350, Australia
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Merlot E, Meunier-Salaün MC, Peuteman B, Père MC, Louveau I, Perruchot MH, Prunier A, Gardan-Salmon D, Gondret F, Quesnel H. Improving maternal welfare during gestation has positive outcomes on neonatal survival and modulates offspring immune response in pigs. Physiol Behav 2022; 249:113751. [PMID: 35217067 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Improving the housing of pregnant sows by giving them more space and access to deep straw had positive effects on their welfare, influenced their maternal behavior and improved the survival of their offspring. The present study aimed at determining whether these effects were actually due to environmental enrichment and whether the provision of straw pellets and wood can partly mimic the effects of straw bedding during gestation. Three graded levels of enrichment were used, that were, collective conventional pens on slatted floor (C, n = 26), the same pens with manipulable wood materials and distribution of straw pellets after the meals (CE, n = 30), and larger pens on deep straw litter (E, n = 27). Sows were then housed in identical farrowing crates from 105 days of gestation until weaning. Decreased stereotypies, blood neutrophils, and salivary cortisol, and increased behavioral investigation indicated that health and welfare of sows during gestation were improved in the E environment compared with the C environment. The CE sows responded as C or E sows depending on the trait. Piglet mortality rate in the first 12 h after birth was lower in E and CE litters than in C litters, but enrichment level during gestation had only small effects on lactating sow behavior and milk composition postpartum. On days 2 and 3 of lactation, E sows interrupted less often their nursing sequences than C and CE sows. On day 2, milk from both E and CE sows contained more minerals than that from C sows. In one-day-old piglets, the expression levels of genes encoding toll-like receptors (TLR2, TLR4) and cytokines (interleukin-1, -6 and -10) in whole blood after 20-h culture, were greater in E piglets than in CE or C piglets. In conclusion, housing sows in an enriched environment during gestation improved early neonatal survival, probably via moderate and cumulative positive effects on sow behavior, milk composition, and offspring innate immune response. The gradation in the effects observed in C, CE and E housing environment reinforced the hypothesis of a causal relationship between maternal environmental enrichment, sow welfare and postnatal piglet traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Merlot
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, 35590, Saint Gilles, France.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hélène Quesnel
- PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, 35590, Saint Gilles, France
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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.
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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
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Liu X, Song P, Yan H, Zhang L, Wang L, Zhao F, Gao H, Hou X, Shi L, Li B, Wang L. A Comparison of the Behavior, Physiology, and Offspring Resilience of Gestating Sows When Raised in a Group Housing System and Individual Stalls. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11072076. [PMID: 34359203 PMCID: PMC8300341 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The housing patterns of gestating sows affect their health and welfare. In this study, the differences between behavior and stress hormone levels were assessed when sows were housed in a group housing system compared to individual stalls; in addition, the disease resistance and resilience of their piglets were compared. In our investigation, the group-housed sows showed more exploratory behavior, less vacuum chewing, less sitting behavior, and lower stress hormone levels throughout pregnancy. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection test revealed that the offspring of group-housed sows showed better resistance and resilience to disease. Therefore, the gestating sows raised in a group housing system and their piglets are healthier and have improved welfare. Our results show that a group housing system provides higher welfare standards, with conditions that are more suitable for gestating sows in modern pig production. Abstract Being in a confined environment causes chronic stress in gestating sows, which is detrimental for sow health, welfare and, consequently, offspring physiology. This study assessed the health and welfare of gestating sows housed in a group housing system compared to individual gestation stalls. After pregnancy was confirmed, experimental sows were divided randomly into two groups: the group housing system (GS), with the electronic sow feeding (ESF) system; or individual stall (IS). The behavior of sows housed in the GS or IS was then compared; throughout pregnancy, GS sows displayed more exploratory behavior, less vacuum chewing, and less sitting behavior (p < 0.05). IS sows showed higher stress hormone levels than GS sows. In particular, at 41 days of gestation, the concentration of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and adrenaline (A) in IS sows was significantly higher than that of GS sows, and the A level of IS sows remained significantly higher at 71 days of gestation (p < 0.01). The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) test was carried out in the weaned piglets of the studied sows. Compared with the offspring of gestating sows housed in GS (PG) or IS (PS), PG experienced a shorter period of high temperature and showed a quicker return to the normal state (p < 0.05). Additionally, their lower levels of stress hormone (p < 0.01) suggest that PG did not suffer from as much stress as PS. These findings suggested that gestating sows housed in GS were more able to carry out their natural behaviors and, therefore, had lower levels of stress and improved welfare. In addition, PG also showed better disease resistance and resilience. These results will provide a research basis for the welfare and breeding of gestating sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Pengkang Song
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
| | - Hua Yan
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Longchao Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Ligang Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Fuping Zhao
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Hongmei Gao
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Xinhua Hou
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Lijun Shi
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
| | - Bugao Li
- College of Animal Science, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (L.W.); Tel.: +86-010-6281-8771 (L.W.)
| | - Lixian Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; (X.L.); (P.S.); (H.Y.); (L.Z.); (L.W.); (F.Z.); (H.G.); (X.H.); (L.S.)
- Correspondence: (B.L.); (L.W.); Tel.: +86-010-6281-8771 (L.W.)
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Bahnsen I, Riddersholm KV, de Knegt LV, Bruun TS, Amdi C. The Effect of Different Feeding Systems on Salivary Cortisol Levels during Gestation in Sows on Herd Level. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041074. [PMID: 33918923 PMCID: PMC8070664 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Physiological stress increases the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the secretion of cortisol, which might cross the placenta and affect foetal development. Stress in sows can be affected by management factors such as enrichment, different feed systems of the housing accommodation, and is reflected in the salivary cortisol concentration. It is unclear how stressed the sow must be before there is an impact on foetal growth, but higher levels of cortisol might affect the maturity of piglets at birth as well as their birth weight. Therefore, it could be beneficial to accommodate gestating sows in the least stressful manner, not only for piglet performance but also for sow welfare. Cortisol concentration in sows seems to be influenced by a combination of parity and feed systems, but its connection to those factors, as well as to foetal development, warrants further investigation. Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate herd cortisol levels as an indicator of stress during gestation in three different feeding systems. Twelve commercial Danish herds with 800 to 3050 sows were included, with either free-access feeding stall (Stall), floor feeding (Floor), or electronic sow feeding (ESF; n = 4 herds per system). Saliva samples were collected from 30 sows/herd in the gestation unit for cortisol analysis with an average of 67.2 gestation days for ESF, 72.4 days for Floor, and 68.6 days for Stall. Data on piglet birth weight (PBW) and the percentage of intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) piglets from 452 litters (9652 piglets, 8677 liveborn) from all 12 herds were obtained on the saliva collection days. The cortisol levels in saliva increased throughout gestation (p < 0.01), and lower concentrations were observed among sows belonging to Stall (4.80 nmol/L), compared to Floor (7.03 nmol/L) and ESF (7.87 nmol/L), and that difference was significant as an independent effect in the case of ESF (p < 0.01). There was no difference between Floor and ESF or Stall and Floor (p > 0.05). An interaction was observed between parity and feeding system, with parities 4–5 in ESF herds having lower levels than other parities within the ESF system (p = 0.02).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Bahnsen
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (I.B.); (K.V.R.); (L.V.d.K.)
| | - Kristina V. Riddersholm
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (I.B.); (K.V.R.); (L.V.d.K.)
| | - Leonardo V. de Knegt
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (I.B.); (K.V.R.); (L.V.d.K.)
| | - Thomas S. Bruun
- SEGES Danish Pig Research Centre, Axeltorv 3, 1609 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Charlotte Amdi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Grønnegårdsvej 2, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark; (I.B.); (K.V.R.); (L.V.d.K.)
- Correspondence:
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Quesnel H, Peuteman B, Père MC, Louveau I, Lefaucheur L, Perruchot MH, Prunier A, Meunier-Salaün M, Gardan-Salmon D, Gondret F, Merlot E. Effect of environmental enrichment with wood materials and straw pellets on the metabolic status of sows during gestation. Livest Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2019.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Sow environment during gestation: part I. Influence on maternal physiology and lacteal secretions in relation with neonatal survival. Animal 2019; 13:1432-1439. [DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118002987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Sow environment during gestation: part II. Influence on piglet physiology and tissue maturity at birth. Animal 2018; 13:1440-1447. [PMID: 30442216 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731118003087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Sow environment during gestation can generate maternal stress which could alter foetal development. The effects of two group-housing systems for gestating sows on piglet morphological and physiological traits at birth were investigated. During gestation, sows were reared in a conventional system on a slatted floor (C, 18 sows), demonstrated as being stressful for sows or in an enriched system in larger pens and on deep straw bedding (E, 19 sows). On gestation day 105, sows were transferred into identical individual farrowing crates on a slatted floor. Farrowing was supervised to allow sampling from piglets at birth. In each litter, one male piglet of average birth weight was euthanized immediately after birth to study organ development and tissue traits. Blood samples were collected from 6 or 7 piglets per litter at birth and 2 piglets per litter at 4 days of lactation (DL4). At birth, mean piglet BW did not differ between groups (P > 0.10); however, the percentage of light ( 0.10) between C and E piglets, but the insulin to glucose ratio was greater (P = 0.02) in C than in E piglets. Compared with E piglets, C piglets had a lighter gut at birth (P = 0.01) and their glycogen content in longissimus muscle was lower (P < 0.01). In this muscle, messenger RNA levels of PAX7, a marker of satellite cells and of PPARGC1A, a transcriptional coactivator involved in mitochondriogenesis and mitochondrial energy metabolism, were greater (P < 0.05), whereas the expression level of PRDX6, a gene playing a role in antioxidant pathway, was lower (P = 0.03) in C than in E piglets. Other studied genes involved in myogenesis did not differ between C and E piglets. No system effect was observed on target genes in liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue. On DL4, C piglets exhibited a lower plasma antioxidant capacity than E piglets (P = 0.002). In conclusion, exposure of sows to a stressful environment during gestation had mild negative effects on the maturity of piglets at birth.
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