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Kiernan DP, O’Doherty JV, Sweeney T. The Effect of Maternal Probiotic or Synbiotic Supplementation on Sow and Offspring Gastrointestinal Microbiota, Health, and Performance. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2996. [PMID: 37835602 PMCID: PMC10571980 DOI: 10.3390/ani13192996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens has prompted the reduction in antibiotic and antimicrobial use in commercial pig production. This has led to increased research efforts to identify alternative dietary interventions to support the health and development of the pig. The crucial role of the GIT microbiota in animal health and performance is becoming increasingly evident. Hence, promoting an improved GIT microbiota, particularly the pioneer microbiota in the young pig, is a fundamental focus. Recent research has indicated that the sow's GIT microbiota is a significant contributor to the development of the offspring's microbiota. Thus, dietary manipulation of the sow's microbiota with probiotics or synbiotics, before farrowing and during lactation, is a compelling area of exploration. This review aims to identify the potential health benefits of maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation to both the sow and her offspring and to explore their possible modes of action. Finally, the results of maternal sow probiotic and synbiotic supplementation studies are collated and summarized. Maternal probiotic or synbiotic supplementation offers an effective strategy to modulate the sow's microbiota and thereby enhance the formation of a health-promoting pioneer microbiota in the offspring. In addition, this strategy can potentially reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the sow and her offspring, enhance the immune potential of the milk, the immune system development in the offspring, and the sow's feed intake during lactation. Although many studies have used probiotics in the maternal sow diet, the most effective probiotic or probiotic blends remain unclear. To this extent, further direct comparative investigations using different probiotics are warranted to advance the current understanding in this area. Moreover, the number of investigations supplementing synbiotics in the maternal sow diet is limited and is an area where further exploration is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dillon P. Kiernan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 C1P1 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - John V. O’Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, D04 C1P1 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, D04 C1P1 Dublin, Ireland;
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Ugidos IF, González-Rodríguez P, Santos-Galdiano M, Font-Belmonte E, Anuncibay-Soto B, Pérez-Rodríguez D, Gonzalo-Orden JM, Fernández-López A. Neuroprotective effects of meloxicam on transient brain ischemia in rats: the two faces of anti-inflammatory treatments. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:1961-1967. [PMID: 36926720 PMCID: PMC10233777 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.367846] [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: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The inflammatory response plays an important role in neuroprotection and regeneration after ischemic insult. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been a matter of debate as to whether they have beneficial or detrimental effects. In this context, the effects of the anti-inflammatory agent meloxicam have been scarcely documented after stroke, but its ability to inhibit both cyclooxygenase isoforms (1 and 2) could be a promising strategy to modulate post-ischemic inflammation. This study analyzed the effect of meloxicam in a transient focal cerebral ischemia model in rats, measuring its neuroprotective effect after 48 hours and 7 days of reperfusion and the effects of the treatment on the glial scar and regenerative events such as the generation of new progenitors in the subventricular zone and axonal sprouting at the edge of the damaged area. We show that meloxicam's neuroprotective effects remained after 7 days of reperfusion even if its administration was restricted to the two first days after ischemia. Moreover, meloxicam treatment modulated glial scar reactivity, which matched with an increase in axonal sprouting. However, this treatment decreased the formation of neuronal progenitor cells. This study discusses the dual role of anti-inflammatory treatments after stroke and encourages the careful analysis of both the neuroprotective and the regenerative effects in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Fernández Ugidos
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Paloma González-Rodríguez
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - María Santos-Galdiano
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
- Neural Therapies SL. Edif. Institutos de Investigación. Planta baja. Local B43. Campus de Vegazana s/n. León. Spain
| | - Enrique Font-Belmonte
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Berta Anuncibay-Soto
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - Diego Pérez-Rodríguez
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
| | - José Manuel Gonzalo-Orden
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
- Department of Medicina, Cirugía y Anatomía Veterinaria, University of León, León, Spain
| | - Arsenio Fernández-López
- Área de Biología Celular, Instituto de Biomedicina, Campus de Vegazana s/n, Universidad de León, León, Spain
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Pascottini OB, Aurich C, England G, Grahofer A. General and comparative aspects of endometritis in domestic species: A review. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58 Suppl 2:49-71. [PMID: 37191856 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Endometritis is a leading cause of sub- and infertility in domestic animal species. The healthy uterus is colonized by commensal bacteria, viruses and yeast/fungi that represent the nonpathogenic microbiota. A shift in the number or type of organisms accompanied by immune dysfunction, however, may trigger uterine infection and inflammation. Metritis is associated with inflammation of all uterine layers (endometrium, myometrium and perimetrium), whereas endometritis is a more superficial inflammation involving solely the endometrium. Endometritis generally occurs at two time points in domestic animal species, postpartum and postmating. Postpartum endometritis may chronically persist, either as a low-grade disease that often manifests as a vaginal discharge but not a systemic illness (in some species termed clinical endometritis) or sometimes subclinical where features are only detected by endometrial sampling. Contamination of the uterus at the time of mating occurs by direct deposition of semen (ejaculated or artificially inseminated) into the uterus. Improper drainage of the ejaculatory fluid or an inadequate immune response may result in persistent mating-induced endometritis. Both postpartum and postmating endometritis interferes with fertility by creating a suboptimal environment for embryo development and placentation, and chronic endometritis may have an impact on sperm survival and fertilization ability. In the postpartum animal, there may also be changes in milk production and maternal behaviour, which can affect offspring health and survival. Preventive strategies for endometritis largely depend on monitoring their known risk factors, which are sometimes specific with regard to the species. Effective, nonantibiotic therapy for endometritis is not available to date. Overall, extensive research has been performed in cattle and horses to unravel key aspects of endometritis, but in sows and bitches, the available literature is scant. Thus, the need and opportunity to investigate the condition vary considerably among domestic species and necessitate their comparative assessment. This article reviews general and comparative aspects of the diagnosis and classification, pathogenesis, preventive strategies and therapeutics of endometritis in domestic species with a specific focus on cows, mares, sows and bitches.
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Affiliation(s)
- O Bogado Pascottini
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - C Aurich
- Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer, Department for Small Animals and Horses, Vetmeduni Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - G England
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Leicestershire, UK
| | - A Grahofer
- Clinic for Swine, Department for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Schoos A, Muro BBD, Carnevale RF, Chantziaras I, Biebaut E, Janssens GPJ, Maes D. Relationship between piglets' survivability and farrowing kinetics in hyper-prolific sows. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:37. [PMID: 37641115 PMCID: PMC10464185 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-023-00332-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prolonged farrowing and more piglets born with low birth weight are undesirable consequences of genetic selection for increased litter size. The objective of the present observational study was to evaluate the relationship between piglets' survivability and farrowing kinetics in hyperprolific sows. A total of 58 sows of different parities and 1190 piglets were included. The entire farrowing process was monitored and the following parameters were recorded: inter-piglet birth interval, birth order, total born, live born, dead born, and mummified piglets, obstetric intervention, weight at birth and 24h, colostrum yield and intake. RESULTS The sows included in this study had on average 20.6 ± 0.6 total piglets born, of which 16.4 ± 0.6 were live born, 3.3 ± 0.4 were stillborn and 0.9 ± 0.2 were mummified piglets. The average farrowing duration and average birth interval were 411.3 ± 31.6 and 20.6 ± 1.7 min, respectively. Farrowing duration was positively associated (p < 0.05) with parity, number of stillborn and mummified piglets. Piglet mortality 24h after birth was negatively affected (p < 0.01) by birth weight and positively affected (p < 0.01) by cumulative birth interval. The last tercile of piglets born (birth order ≥ 17) had the highest (p < 0.01) inter-piglet birth interval (IPBI) (43.4 ± 4.17 min) compared to piglets born in the first (birth order between 2 and 7) (26.5 ± 3.8 min) and second (birth order between 8 and 16) terciles (21.9 ± 3.8 min). Cumulative birth interval, birth weight, occurrence of stillborn piglets and manual intervention were positively associated (p < 0.05) with IPBI. Piglet birth weight was also positively associated (p < 0.01) to individual colostrum intake. Piglets ingesting more colostrum had lower (p < 0.01) mortality from 24h after birth until weaning. Sow's parity and cumulative birth interval were positively associated with the presence of stillborn piglets (p = 0.02 and p < 0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION Reducing farrowing duration may be crucial to decrease stillbirth rate and neonatal mortality in hyperprolific sows. Moreover, special care must be provided to the lighter piglets within a litter to increase their colostrum intake and minimize piglet's mortality throughout lactation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Schoos
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bruno Bracco Donatelli Muro
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Campus Pirassununga, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafaella Fernandes Carnevale
- Department of Nutrition and Animal Production, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), Campus Pirassununga, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ilias Chantziaras
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Evelien Biebaut
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Geert Paul Jules Janssens
- Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dominiek Maes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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Björkman S, Kauffold J, Kaiser MØ. Reproductive health of the sow during puerperium. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:561-579. [PMID: 36054784 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The modern hyperprolific sow is susceptible to metabolic disease and chronic inflammation. The most sensitive phase is parturition, when the sow experiences systemic inflammation and stress, and major changes in metabolism and endocrinology. Resolution of inflammation and stress needs to happen quickly to ensure good reproductive health during puerperium. If the sow fails to adapt to these changes, puerperal disease may occur. The economically most important puerperal disease complex is the postpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PPDS). Other puerperal diseases include infections of the urogenital tract. Diagnosis of PPDS and urogenital disease on-farm is challenging but several diagnostic methods, including clinical examination, behavioral observations, ultrasonography and biomarkers are available. Ultrasonography is an excellent tool for monitoring the health of the urogenital tract, the mammary gland, and uterine involution and guide further diagnostic interventions. Biomarkers such as Chromogranin A, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 represent promising tools to monitor general health and the systemic state of inflammation and oxidative stress of the sow. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, dopamine antagonists, and oxytocin are promising to address the symptoms of PPDS. Reducing of stress, improving nutrition and intestinal health, and supporting animal welfare-friendly husbandry help in the prevention of PPDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Björkman
- Department of Production Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johannes Kauffold
- Clinic for Ruminants and Swine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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Arnaud EA, Gardiner GE, Lawlor PG. Selected Nutrition and Management Strategies in Suckling Pigs to Improve Post-Weaning Outcomes. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1998. [PMID: 37370508 PMCID: PMC10294848 DOI: 10.3390/ani13121998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Weaning is a critical period in a pig's life. Piglets are confronted with abrupt changes to their physical and social environment, as well as management and nutritional changes. Weaning has always been associated with a growth check and is frequently accompanied by post-weaning diarrhoea in piglets. However, rapid increases in litter size in the last decade have increased within-litter piglet weight variation, with piglets now generally lighter at weaning, making the challenges associated with weaning even greater. Many interventions can be employed during the suckling period to ease the weaning transition for piglets. Pre-weaning strategies such as supervised farrowing (assistance with suckling and oxytocin provision), the provision of pain relief to sows around farrowing, split-suckling, early oral supplementation with glucose, bovine colostrum, faecal microbiota transplantation, feed additives and solid and liquid creep feeding (milk and liquid feed) have all been investigated. The objective of these strategies is to stimulate earlier maturation of the digestive tract, improve immunity, reduce latency to the first feed post-weaning and increase early post-weaning feed intake and growth. This review focuses in particular on: (1) pain relief provision to sows around farrowing, (2)split-suckling of piglets, (3) pre-weaning provision of supplementary milk and/or liquid feed, (4) other strategies to stimulate earlier enzyme production (e.g., enzyme supplementation), (5) other nutritional strategies to promote improved gut structure and function (e.g., L-glutamine supplementation), and (6) other strategies to modulate gut microbiota (e.g., probiotics and prebiotics). Correctly implementing these strategies can, not only increase post-weaning growth and reduce mortality, but also maximise lifetime growth in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa A. Arnaud
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 County Cork, Ireland;
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland;
| | - Gillian E. Gardiner
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, Waterford Campus, South East Technological University, X91 K0EK Waterford, Ireland;
| | - Peadar G. Lawlor
- Teagasc Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 County Cork, Ireland;
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Arnaud EA, Gardiner GE, Halpin KM, Ribas C, O’ Doherty JV, Sweeney T, Lawlor PG. Postpartum meloxicam administration to sows but not split-suckling increases piglet growth and reduces clinical incidence of disease in suckling piglets. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad275. [PMID: 37591793 PMCID: PMC10465266 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad275] [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: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Each suckling pig should receive ≥200 g of colostrum within the first 24 h of life, but with increased litter size this is now difficult to achieve. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of split-suckling and postpartum meloxicam provision to sows as a means of ensuring adequate colostrum intake, on growth and health in pigs pre- and postweaning. One hundred and four sows (Large White × Landrace) and their litters, averaging 16.3 piglets born alive, were assigned to one of four treatments in a two-by-two factorial arrangement. Factors were provision of meloxicam (yes/no; Mel/N-Mel) and split-suckling (yes/no; Split/N-Split). Meloxicam was administered intramuscularly at 0.4 mg/kg body weight to sows on release of the placenta (~2 h postpartum). Split-suckling commenced 4 h after birth of the first piglet, with the six heaviest piglets removed from the sow for 1 h to allow the lightest piglets to suckle. This was repeated after 1.5 h. Pigs were weighed at birth and at days 1, 6, 14, and 27 after birth and at days 6, 14, 21, 28, 47, and 129 postweaning. Carcass data were collected at slaughter. Medication usage was recorded from birth to slaughter. There was a split-suckling by meloxicam interaction effect at days 1 to 6 (P < 0.001) and days 6 to 14 (P < 0.001) after birth. Meloxicam administration had no effect on average daily gain (ADG) when split-suckling was applied; however, when split-suckling was not applied, postpartum meloxicam administration increased ADG. There was a meloxicam × split-suckling interaction for ADG from weaning to day 6 postweaning (P = 0.03). Meloxicam increased ADG when split-suckling was applied but not in its absence. Carcass weight was increased by meloxicam (P = 0.01) but was not affected by split-suckling (P > 0.05). Meloxicam use in sows reduced the number of clinical cases of disease (P = 0.04) in suckling pigs which tended to reduce the volume of antibiotics (P = 0.08) and anti-inflammatories (P = 0.08) administered. Split-suckling had no effect on medication usage in sows and piglets during lactation but increased their use from weaning to slaughter. In conclusion, postpartum administration of meloxicam to sows is an easily implemented strategy. It reduced clinical cases of disease, increased ADG in pigs during the first two weeks of life and early postweaning and increased carcass weight at slaughter. However, no split-suckling benefit was observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa A Arnaud
- TeagascPig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, P61C996, Ireland
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, X91K0EK, Ireland
| | - Gillian E Gardiner
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, X91K0EK, Ireland
| | - Keely M Halpin
- TeagascPig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, P61C996, Ireland
- Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Science, South East Technological University, Waterford, X91K0EK, Ireland
| | - Clément Ribas
- TeagascPig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, P61C996, Ireland
| | - John V O’ Doherty
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04V1W8, Ireland
| | - Torres Sweeney
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04V1W8, Ireland
| | - Peadar G Lawlor
- TeagascPig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, County Cork, P61C996, Ireland
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