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Albuquerque A, Garrido N, Charneca R, Egas C, Martin L, Ramos A, Costa F, Marmelo C, Martins JM. Influence of Sex and a High-Fiber Diet on the Gut Microbiome of Alentejano Pigs Raised to Heavy Weights. Vet Sci 2023; 10:641. [PMID: 37999464 PMCID: PMC10675691 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10110641] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of sex and a dietary transition on the gut microbiota of a local Portuguese pig breed. Three groups of male Alentejano pigs (n = 10 each) were raised between ~40 and 160 kg LW. Group C included pigs that were surgically castrated, while the I group included intact ones; both were fed with commercial diets. The third group, IExp, included intact pigs that were fed commercial diets until ~130 kg, then replaced by an experimental diet based on legumes and agro-industrial by-products between ~130 and 160 kg. Fecal samples were collected two weeks before slaughter. The total DNA was extracted and used for 16S metabarcoding on a MiSeq® System. The dietary transition from a commercial diet to the experimental diet substantially increased and shifted the diversity observed. Complex carbohydrate fermenting bacteria, such as Ruminococcus spp. and Sphaerochaeta spp., were significantly more abundant in IExp (q < 0.05). On the other hand, castrated pigs presented a significantly lower abundance of the potential probiotic, Roseburia spp. and Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (q < 0.01), bacteria commonly associated with better gut health and lower body fat composition. Understanding the role of gut microbiota is paramount to ensure a low skatole deposition and consumers' acceptance of pork products from non-castrated male pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Albuquerque
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- Escola Superior Agrária de Elvas, Departamento de Ciência Agrárias e Veterinárias, Edifício Quartel do Trem, Avenida 14 de Janeiro n° 21, 7350-092 Elvas, Portugal
| | - Rui Charneca
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- MED & CHANGE, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT–Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Conceição Egas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal;
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit, Biocant, 3060-197 Cantanhede, Portugal
| | - Luísa Martin
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Amélia Ramos
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Costa
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
| | - Carla Marmelo
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Martins
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3440-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (R.C.); (L.M.); (A.R.); (F.C.); (C.M.)
- MED & CHANGE, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT–Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
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Martins JM, Charneca R, Garrido N, Albuquerque A, Jerónimo E, Guerreiro O, Lage P, Marmelo C, Costa F, Ramos A, Martin L. Influence of Sex on Meat and Fat Quality from Heavy Alentejano Pigs Finished Outdoors on Commercial and High Fiber Diets. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3099. [PMID: 37835705 PMCID: PMC10571643 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193099] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed to examine the effects of sex on meat and fat quality traits from thirty Portuguese Alentejano (AL) pigs reared in outdoor conditions. These pigs were divided into three groups and fed ad libitum. From ~40 to 130 kg LW, castrated (C group) and intact animals (I and IExp) consumed commercial diets. Until slaughter (~160 kg), C and I pigs remained on commercial diets, and IExp changed to a more sustainable experimental diet with locally produced pulses and byproducts. Samples were collected from the Longissimus lumborum (LL), Psoas major (PM), and dorsal subcutaneous fat (DSF). At ~160 kg, the PM muscle of intact pigs presented lower intramuscular fat content than that of C pigs, while total collagen was higher. Additionally, PM myoglobin was lower and lightness (L*) was higher in intact pigs. Regarding DSF, moisture and total protein contents were higher and total lipids were lower in intact than in castrated pigs, while color parameters were not significantly different. Finally, antioxidant capacity measured in the LL muscle showed an overall lower value in intact pigs. However, lipid oxidation values were not significantly different between the experimental groups and only increased with storage time. Outdoor-reared intact AL pigs produced leaner and less saturated pork and fat compared to castrated ones. Despite the lower antioxidant activity observed in the LL muscles of intact pigs, the lipid oxidative stability of cooked meat was not different among the experimental groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Martins
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT—Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (R.C.); (N.G.); (A.A.); (C.M.)
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Rui Charneca
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT—Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (R.C.); (N.G.); (A.A.); (C.M.)
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT—Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (R.C.); (N.G.); (A.A.); (C.M.)
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - André Albuquerque
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT—Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (R.C.); (N.G.); (A.A.); (C.M.)
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Eliana Jerónimo
- Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal; (E.J.); (O.G.); (P.L.)
- MED & CHANGE, Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
| | - Olinda Guerreiro
- Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal; (E.J.); (O.G.); (P.L.)
- MED & CHANGE, Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Lage
- Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), Instituto Politécnico de Beja, 7801-908 Beja, Portugal; (E.J.); (O.G.); (P.L.)
- MED & CHANGE, Centro de Biotecnologia Agrícola e Agro-Alimentar do Alentejo (CEBAL), 7801-908 Beja, Portugal
| | - Carla Marmelo
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT—Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (R.C.); (N.G.); (A.A.); (C.M.)
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Filipa Costa
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Amélia Ramos
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Martin
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal; (F.C.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
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Garrido N, Albuquerque A, Charneca R, Costa F, Marmelo C, Ramos A, Martin L, Martins JM. Transcriptomic Profiling of Subcutaneous Backfat in Castrated and Intact Alentejano Pigs Finished Outdoors with Commercial and Fiber-Rich Diets. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1722. [PMID: 37761862 PMCID: PMC10531178 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In this work, we studied the backfat transcriptome of surgically castrated (C), intact (I) and intact fed an experimental diet (IE) outdoor-reared male Alentejano (AL) pigs. The experimental diet was a high-fiber diet with locally produced legumes and by-products associated with a boar taint reduction effect. At slaughter (~160 kg), backfat samples were collected for total RNA sequencing. Intact pigs presented leaner carcasses, more total collagen, and more unsaturated intramuscular fat content than C animals. A total of 2726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs, |log2 FC|> 0.58, q < 0.05) were identified between C and I with overexpressed genes related to muscular activity (MYH1, ACTA1) or collagen metabolism (COL1A1, COL1A2) in I pigs. Between C and IE, 1639 DEGs of genes involved in lipidic metabolism (LEP, ME1, FABP4, ELOVL6) were overexpressed in C. Finally, only 28 DEGs were determined between I and IE. Clustering results indicated a drastic influence of the testis in the transcriptome of subcutaneous fat of AL pigs, while the diet had a marginal effect. Diet can reduce stress by increasing satiety in animals, and could have induced an increase of skatole degradation due to the higher expression of the CYP2A19 gene in the IE group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Garrido
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - André Albuquerque
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Rui Charneca
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- MED & CHANGE, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Filipa Costa
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
| | - Carla Marmelo
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Amélia Ramos
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Martin
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Manuel Martins
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, Ap. 50, 3441-131 Santa Comba Dão, Portugal; (N.G.); (A.A.); (R.C.); (F.C.); (C.M.); (A.R.); (L.M.)
- MED & CHANGE, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
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Faggion S, Boschi E, Veroneze R, Carnier P, Bonfatti V. Genomic Prediction and Genome-Wide Association Study for Boar Taint Compounds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2450. [PMID: 37570259 PMCID: PMC10417264 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152450] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
With a perspective future ban on surgical castration in Europe, selecting pigs with reduced ability to accumulate boar taint (BT) compounds (androstenone, indole, skatole) in their tissues seems a promising strategy. BT compound concentrations were quantified in the adipose tissue of 1075 boars genotyped at 29,844 SNPs. Traditional and SNP-based breeding values were estimated using pedigree-based BLUP (PBLUP) and genomic BLUP (GBLUP), respectively. Heritabilities for BT compounds were moderate (0.30-0.52). The accuracies of GBLUP and PBLUP were significantly different for androstenone (0.58 and 0.36, respectively), but comparable for indole and skatole (~0.43 and ~0.47, respectively). Several SNP windows, each explaining a small percentage of the variance of BT compound concentrations, were identified in a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 18 candidate genes previously associated with BT (MX1), reproduction traits (TCF21, NME5, PTGFR, KCNQ1, UMODL1), and fat metabolism (CTSD, SYT8, TNNI2, CD81, EGR1, GIPC2, MIGA1, NEGR1, CCSER1, MTMR2, LPL, ERFE) were identified in the post-GWAS analysis. The large number of genes related to fat metabolism might be explained by the relationship between sexual steroid levels and fat deposition and be partially ascribed to the pig line investigated, which is selected for ham quality and not for lean growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Faggion
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Padova, Italy; (E.B.); (P.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Elena Boschi
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Padova, Italy; (E.B.); (P.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Renata Veroneze
- Department of Animal Science, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa 36570-999, Brazil;
| | - Paolo Carnier
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Padova, Italy; (E.B.); (P.C.); (V.B.)
| | - Valentina Bonfatti
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Padova, Italy; (E.B.); (P.C.); (V.B.)
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Faggion S, Carnier P, Bonfatti V. Genetic Correlations between Boar Taint Compound Concentrations in Fat of Purebred Boars and Production and Ham Quality Traits in Crossbred Heavy Pigs. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2445. [PMID: 37570254 PMCID: PMC10417360 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152445] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Selecting pigs with reduced ability to accumulate boar taint (BT) compounds in their tissues is an alternative to male surgical castration. As the majority of slaughter pigs are crossbred, before selecting against BT in purebreds, it is essential to consider possible impacts on commercial traits in crossbreds. This study estimated the genetic correlations between BT compound levels measured in 1115 purebred pigs and carcass and ham quality traits collected in 26,577 crossbred Italian heavy pigs. Genetic correlations were estimated in bivariate Bayesian analyses including one BT trait and one production or ham quality trait at a time. Heritability of androstenone, skatole, and indole was 0.41, 0.49, and 0.37, respectively. A moderate negative correlation between skatole and carcass yield (-0.40), and between all BT compounds and backfat (from -0.26 to -0.55) was observed. Conversely, positive correlations (from 0.11 to 0.54) were found between skatole and ham fat thickness traits. Correlations between BT compounds and iodine number ranged from -0.07 (for androstenone) to -0.64 (for skatole), whereas those with PUFA ranged from -0.13 (for indole) to -0.33 (for skatole). Hence, reducing BT could decrease ham fat thickness and increase unsaturated fatty acids, with potential negative impacts on product quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valentina Bonfatti
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (S.F.); (P.C.)
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Martins JM, Varino R, Charneca R, Albuquerque A, Garrido N, Neves J, Freitas A, Costa F, Marmelo C, Ramos A, Martin L. Outdoor Finishing of Intact Male Portuguese Alentejano Pigs on a Sustainable High-Fiber Diet: Impacts on Blood, Growth, Carcass, Meat Quality and Boar Taint Compounds. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2221. [PMID: 37444019 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132221] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This trial evaluated the effect of sex on the blood, growth, carcass, meat quality, and boar taint compounds in male Alentejano (AL) pigs (n = 30). From ~40 to 130 kg LW, castrated (C) and intact pigs (I and IExp groups) were fed commercial diets ad libitum. Between ~130 and 160 kg (slaughter), C and I pigs continued on commercial diets, while IExp were fed an experimental diet containing locally produced pulses and by-products aimed at reducing boar taint. At ~160 kg, blood urea levels were higher in IExp than C pigs, triacylglycerols were lower in both intact groups, and cortisol was lower in IExp. IExp pigs exhibited faster growth, improved feed conversion ratio, carcass higher commercial yield and leaner meat than C pigs. The loin intramuscular fat in intact pigs was lower, less saturated and more polyunsaturated, while total collagen was higher. Fat androstenone content was higher in intact pigs and skatole content was similar across treatments, although they were below threshold values for consumer detection. Finally, although boar taint compounds were low in intact AL pigs raised outdoors, adding pulses and by-products to the experimental diet did not result in a reduction in fat skatole content compared to pigs fed the commercial diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Martins
- MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT-Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Varino
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - Rui Charneca
- MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT-Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - André Albuquerque
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
- MED & CHANGE, Universidade de Évora, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nicolás Garrido
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
- MED & CHANGE, Universidade de Évora, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - José Neves
- MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT-Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - Amadeu Freitas
- MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Zootecnia, ECT-Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - Filipa Costa
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
| | - Carla Marmelo
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
- MED & CHANGE, Universidade de Évora, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal
| | - Amélia Ramos
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luísa Martin
- ECO-PIG Consortium, Z.I. Catraia, 3440-131 S. Comba Dão, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Agrárias e Tecnologias, Escola Superior Agrária de Coimbra, Bencanta, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal
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Albernaz-Gonçalves R, Olmos Antillón G, Hötzel MJ. Linking Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use in Pig Farming-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:216. [PMID: 35049838 PMCID: PMC8773261 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Preventative measures, such as biosecurity and vaccinations, are essential but not sufficient to ensure high standards of health in pig production systems. Restrictive, barren housing and many widely used management practices that cause pain and stress predispose high-performance pigs reared in intensive systems to disease. In this context, antibiotics are used as part of the infrastructure that sustains health and high levels of production in pig farms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emergency affecting human and animal health, and the use of antibiotics (AMU) in intensive livestock farming is considered an important risk factor for the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria from animals to humans. Tackling the issue of AMR demands profound changes in AMU, e.g., reducing their use for prophylaxis and ending it for growth promotion. In support of such recommendations, we revise the link between animal welfare and AMU and argue that it is crucial to sustainably reduce AMU while ensuring that pigs can live happy lives. In support of such recommendations, we aimed to revise the link between animal welfare and AMU in pigs by analysing stress factors related to housing and management and their impact on pig welfare. In particular, we reviewed critical management practices that increase stress and, therefore, pigs' susceptibility to disease and reduce the quality of life of pigs. We also reviewed some alternatives that can be adopted in pig farms to improve animal welfare and that go beyond the reduction in stress. By minimising environmental and management stressors, pigs can become more immunocompetent and prepared to overcome pathogenic challenges. This outcome can contribute to reducing AMU and the risk of AMR while simultaneously improving the quality of life of pigs and, ultimately, maintaining the pig industry's social license.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Albernaz-Gonçalves
- Campus Santa Rosa do Sul, Instituto Federal Catarinense, Santa Rosa do Sul 88965-000, SC, Brazil;
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rod. Admar Gonzaga 1346, Itacorubi, Florianópolis 88034-001, SC, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Olmos Antillón
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Maria José Hötzel
- Laboratório de Etologia Aplicada e Bem-Estar Animal, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Rod. Admar Gonzaga 1346, Itacorubi, Florianópolis 88034-001, SC, Brazil
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Alternatives to Piglet Castration: From Issues to Solutions. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041041. [PMID: 33917235 PMCID: PMC8067991 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Because castrated male pigs convert feed into meat less efficiently than entire males, they are less efficient regarding the utilization of resources [...].
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