Damgaard BM, Malmkvist J, Pedersen LJ, Jensen KH, Thodberg K, Jørgensen E, Juul-Madsen HR. The effects of floor heating on body temperature, water consumption, stress response and immune competence around parturition in loose-housed sows.
Res Vet Sci 2008;
86:136-45. [PMID:
18572210 DOI:
10.1016/j.rvsc.2008.05.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2007] [Revised: 03/27/2008] [Accepted: 05/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to study whether floor heating from 12h after onset of nest building until 48 h after birth of the first piglet had any effect on measures related to body temperature, water consumption, stress response and immune competence in loose-housed sows (n=23). In conclusion, the present results indicate that floor heating for a limited period around parturition did not compromise physiological and immunological parameters, water intake and body temperature in loose-housed sows. The water intake peaked the day before parturition and the body temperature peaked on the day of parturition. A cortisol peak at parturition, a transient rise in the number of leucocytes and neutrophils and a transient reduction in the number of lymphocytes, erythrocytes and in the PCV value were observed. Around and after parturition some non-specific immunological variables seemed to be stimulated while others seemed to be compromised.
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