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Dalmau A, Sánchez-Matamoros A, Molina JM, Xercavins A, Varvaró-Porter A, Muñoz I, Moles X, Baulida B, Fàbrega E, Velarde A, Pallisera J, Puigredon A, Contreras-Jodar A. Intramuscular vs. Intradermic Needle-Free Vaccination in Piglets: Relevance for Animal Welfare Based on an Aversion Learning Test and Vocalizations. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:715260. [PMID: 34458358 PMCID: PMC8385536 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.715260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to compare intramuscular injection with a needle and intradermic needle-free vaccinations against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in piglets at 28 days old by studying behavioral and physiological reactions. A total of 72 piglets divided into 2 sex-balanced batches were assessed. Within each batch, the piglets were divided into three treatments, which were Hipradermic (0.2 ml of UNISTRAIN® PRRS vaccine administered with an intradermic needle-free device), Intramuscular (IM, 2.0 ml of vaccine), and Control (not vaccinated). Before the vaccination, the piglets were trained to cross a 4-m-long raceway to perform an aversion learning test. The day of vaccination, the time taken to cross the raceway was registered for each piglet at different times: prior to the vaccination and 10 min, 2, 24, 48, and 72 h after the vaccination, to measure variations in these times as signs of aversion to the vaccination process. Vocalizations, as potential signs of pain, were recorded as well at the end of this raceway to analyze their frequency (Hz), duration, and level of pressure (dB) at the moment of vaccination. Salivary cortisol, as a sign of the HPA-axis activity, was assessed 10 min after the vaccination. In addition, activity budgets, local reaction to the vaccine, and serological titer were also considered in the study. Ten minutes after the vaccination, the IM piglets took longer (p < 0.001) to cross the raceway than did the Hipradermic and Control piglets. Vocalizations were significantly different between the three treatments: the Control piglets produced vocalizations with the lowest frequency (p < 0.001) and level of pressure (p < 0.001), and IM with the highest, with Hipradermic in a significant intermediate position (p < 0.001). Accordingly, the day of the vaccination, IM and Hipradermic animals were lying on the side of the vaccine administration a greater proportion of time than were the Control piglets (10, 11, and 6%, respectively; p = 0.027). Salivary cortisol was not significantly different between treatments. The serum titer of antibodies against the PRRS was higher (p < 0.001) in both vaccinated treatments in comparison to the Control piglets. It is concluded that the Hipradermic needle-free vaccination may result in a less aversive experience in piglets than did intramuscular vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Dalmau
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Aida Xercavins
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Israel Muñoz
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xènia Moles
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Berta Baulida
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Emma Fàbrega
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Velarde
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim Pallisera
- Animal Welfare Program, Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
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