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Tummaruk P, De Rensis F, Kirkwood RN. Managing prolific sows in tropical environments. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:533-545. [PMID: 36495558 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23661] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Litter size in modern sows has been dramatically improved in recent decades by genetic selection for highly prolific sows. In a tropical environment, the average total number of pigs born and number born alive are reported to be as high as 17.2 and 15.1 piglets per litter, respectively. Therefore, the new production target in many herds aims to achieve 30-40 pigs weaned per sow per year. Despite the improvements in litter size, the mean preweaning piglet mortality rate remains high, at between 10% and 20%, in major pig-producing countries. A sufficient daily feed intake by lactating sows is important for high milk production as sow milk yield is the limiting factor for piglet growth rate. Heat stress, which can occur when the ambient temperatures rise above 25°C, is one of the major problems that decreases daily feed intake and compromises milk yield. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage high feed intakes to achieve high milk yields. However, even with high nutrient intakes, productivity can be constrained by intestinal barrier function, limiting digestive ability, and allowing potential pathogens and/or toxins to become systemic. This is more likely greater under tropical conditions because of heat stress, exacerbating sow fertility problems. Underpinning sow herd performance, including responses to environmental challenges, is the selection of appropriate gilts, for example, selection and management for early puberty, thus presumably selecting the more fertile gilts and the correct management of lactation to improve the number of weaned piglets are some of the key factors for future reproductive efficiency of the farm under tropical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Fabio De Rensis
- Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Roy N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Du M, Zhang J, Wei Z, Li L, Liu X, Liu M, Wang X, Guan Y. Season and temperature do not affect cumulative live birth rate and time to live birth in in vitro fertilization. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1156299. [PMID: 37424872 PMCID: PMC10325717 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1156299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To explore whether season and temperature on oocyte retrieval day affect the cumulative live birth rate and time to live birth. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 14420 oocyte retrieval cycles from October 2015 to September 2019. According to the date of oocyte retrieval, the patients were divided into four groups (Spring(n=3634);Summer(n=4414); Autumn(n=3706); Winter(n=2666)). The primary outcome measures were cumulative live birth rate and time to live birth. The secondary outcome measures included the number of oocytes retrieved, number of 2PN, number of available embryos and number of high-quality embryos. Results The number of oocytes retrieved was similar among the groups. Other outcomes, including the number of 2PN (P=0.02), number of available embryos (p=0.04), and number of high-quality embryos (p<0.01) were different among the groups. The quality of embryos in summer was relatively poor. There were no differences between the four groups in terms of cumulative live birth rate (P=0.17) or time to live birth (P=0.08). After adjusting for confounding factors by binary logistic regression, temperature (P=0.80), season (P=0.47) and duration of sunshine(P=0.46) had no effect on cumulative live births. Only maternal age (P<0.01) and basal FSH (P<0.01) had an effect on cumulative live births. Cox regression analysis suggested no effect of season(P=0.18) and temperature(P=0.89) on time to live birth. Maternal age did have an effect on time to live birth (P<0.01). Conclusion Although season has an effect on the embryo, there was no evidence that season or temperature affect the cumulative live birth rate or time to live birth. It is not necessary to select a specific season when preparing for IVF.
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Dumniem N, Boonprakob R, Parsons TD, Tummaruk P. Pen Versus Crate: A Comparative Study on the Effects of Different Farrowing Systems on Farrowing Performance, Colostrum Yield and Piglet Preweaning Mortality in Sows under Tropical Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13020233. [PMID: 36670773 PMCID: PMC9855041 DOI: 10.3390/ani13020233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study was performed to determine the farrowing performance of sows, newborn piglet characteristics, colostrum yield, milk yield and piglet preweaning mortality in a free-farrowing pen compared to a conventional farrowing crate system in a tropical environment. A total of 92 sows and 1344 piglets were included in the study. The sows were allocated by parity into two farrowing systems, either a free-farrowing pen (n = 54 sows and 805 piglets) or a crate (n = 38 sows and 539 piglets). Backfat thickness and loin muscle depth of sows at 109.0 ± 3.0 days of gestation were measured. Reproductive performance data including total number of piglets born (TB), number of piglets born alive (BA), percentage of stillborn piglets (SB) and percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter, farrowing duration, piglet expulsion interval, time from onset of farrowing to the last placental expulsion, piglet preweaning mortality rate, percentage of piglets crushed by sows and number of piglets at weaning were analysed. In addition, piglet colostrum intake, colostrum yield, Brix index and milk yield of sows were evaluated. On average, TB, BA, farrowing duration, colostrum yield and milk yield during 3 to 10 and 10 to 17 days of lactation were 14.7 ± 2.8, 12.8 ± 3.1, 213.2 ± 142.2 min, 5.3 ± 1.4 kg, 8.6 ± 1.5 kg, and 10.4 ± 2.2 kg, respectively. Sows kept in the free-farrowing pen tended to produce more colostrum than crated sows (5.5 ± 0.2 vs. 4.9 ± 0.2 kg, p = 0.080). Piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system (437.0 ± 6.9 and 411.7 ± 8.3 g, p = 0.019). However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate (26.8 ± 2.9 vs. 17.0 ± 3.8, p = 0.045) and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows (13.1 ± 2.1 vs. 5.8 ± 2.7, p = 0.037) in the free-farrowing pen were higher than those in the crate system. Interestingly, in the free-farrowing pen, piglet preweaning mortality rate in sows with high backfat thickness was higher than that in sows with moderate (37.8 ± 5.1% vs. 21.6 ± 3.6%, p = 0.011) and low (21.0 ± 6.2%, p = 0.038) backfat thickness. Moreover, the incidence of crushing in sows with high backfat thickness was higher in the free-farrowing pen than in the crate system (17.6 ± 3.6 vs. 4.0 ± 5.7, p = 0.049), but this difference was not detected for sows with moderate and low backfat thickness (p > 0.05). Milk yield of sows during 3 to 10 days (8.6 ± 0.2 vs. 8.6 ± 2.3, p > 0.05) and 10 to 17 days (10.2 ± 0.3 vs. 10.4 ± 0.4, p > 0.05) did not differ between the two farrowing systems. In conclusion, piglets born in the free-farrowing pen had a higher colostrum intake than those in the crate system. However, the piglet preweaning mortality rate and the proportion of piglets crushed by sows in the free-farrowing pen were higher than in the crate system. Interestingly, a high proportion of piglet preweaning mortality in the free-farrowing system was detected only in sows with high backfat thickness before farrowing but not in those with low and moderate backfat thickness. Therefore, additional management in sows with high backfat thickness (>24 mm) before farrowing should be considered to avoid the crushing of piglets by sows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natchanon Dumniem
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Rafa Boonprakob
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Thomas D. Parsons
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, Philadelphia, PA 19348-1692, USA
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Although lactation and suckling suppresses fertility in most mammals, some feline breeders have reported spontaneous oestrus during lactation, causing distress to kittens. This led the Official French Feline Pedigree Registry (Livre Officiel des Origines Félines - LOOF) to send a questionnaire to cat breeders requesting data on their last three litters. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of lactational oestrus, its impact on litters and potential associations with litter size, age, parity, breed and seasonality. METHODS Answers from 108 breeders were collected, providing data on 238 litters in 23 different breeds. Data were also collected on successive litters from multiparous queens (n = 20) and were analysed separately from the 195 independent births. RESULTS Of the 195 independent births with complete data sets, 96 (49%) queens came into oestrus during lactation, 37 (38%) of which were associated with loss of maternal interest (n = 20), milk quality variation (n = 2), clotted milk (n = 3), reduced milk quantity (n = 13), which in kittens led to reduced weight (n = 6), diarrhoea (n = 9), vomiting (n = 4), nausea (n = 2) or death (n = 4), and bottle feeding (n = 2), early weaning (n = 4) or modified litter behaviour (n = 1). A significant association was found between small litter size (one or two kittens) and the onset of lactational oestrus (P = 0.007) and between births occurring in February, March and April and lactational oestrus (P = 0.005); there was no association with age or breed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Breeders perceived a relationship in 38% of cases of lactational oestrus with maternal disinterest, clotted milk, reduced milk yield and in kittens, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhoea or even death. An association between small litter size and lactational oestrus was found, as well as with births occurring between February and April. Breeders presenting with at-risk females should be warned. Conservative and preventive measures such as contraceptive options are discussed as a possible therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Furthner
- Vetmidi Veterinary Clinic, Etoy, Switzerland
- Official French Feline Pedigree Registry (Livre Officiel des Origines Félines – LOOF), Paris, France
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Satoh M, Fukuzawa Y, Ogawa S, Okamura T. Estimation of off-farm temperatures and temperature-humidity index from meteorological observation records. Anim Sci J 2023; 94:e13902. [PMID: 38100629 DOI: 10.1111/asj.13902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to devise an optimal method for estimating air temperatures outside pig farms to be able to evaluate the genetic performance of pigs. Using daily temperature data from Japan Meteorological Agency meteorological stations, we investigated the optimal number of observation weather stations (number of records), and methods of estimating outside temperature when temperature records are missing. We also considered the possibility of using relative humidity data. Our results showed that it is possible to use records from the three nearest weather stations to estimate off-farm ambient temperatures. We also concluded that estimates of outside temperatures when records are missing can be made by using data from at least one weather station that holds a full set of data. The correlation coefficients between the true THI (temperature-humidity index) and the estimated THI and the average daily temperature were almost the same, indicating that the daily average temperature can be used instead of estimated THI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Satoh
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yo Fukuzawa
- Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Ogawa
- Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science, NARO, Tsukuba, Japan
- Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Adi YK, Boonprakob R, Kirkwood RN, Tummaruk P. Factors Associated with Farrowing Duration in Hyperprolific Sows in a Free Farrowing System under Tropical Conditions. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12212943. [PMID: 36359066 PMCID: PMC9653905 DOI: 10.3390/ani12212943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing selection for increased litter size has had significant impacts on sow husbandry practice. The present study investigated factors associated with farrowing duration and the proportion of sows that had prolonged farrowing in modern hyperprolific sows kept in a free farrowing system in a tropical environment. Farrowing data from 2493 Landrace x Yorkshire cross-bred sows in a commercial swine herd in Thailand were included in the study. The time of farrowing, parity number, litter size, and the birth status of each piglet were recorded. Farrowing duration was analysed using multiple analyses of variance. Total number of piglets born per litter (TB), parity, and time onset of farrowing were included in the statistical models. On average, TB, piglets born alive, and farrowing duration were 13.7, 12.1, and 221.0 min, respectively. Of these sows, 26.4% had TB ≥ 16 and 21.7% had a prolonged farrowing duration (≥300 min). Farrowing duration was positively correlated with TB (r = 0.141, p < 0.001), percentage of stillborn (SB) piglets per litter (r = 0.259, p < 0.001), percentage of mummified foetuses (MF) per litter (r = 0.049, p = 0.015), piglet birth weight (r = 0.068, p < 0.001), and litter birth weight (r = 0.041, p = 0.043). The proportion of SB per litter was higher and piglet birth weight lower in litters that had ≥16 TB than those with 8−12 TB (p < 0.05). The farrowing duration of sows with parity numbers 5−7 (247.7 ± 5.1 min) and 8−10 (237.1 ± 5.1 min) was longer than that of sows with parity numbers 1 (188.3 ± 5.2 min) and 2−4 (214.3 ± 3.9 min) (p < 0.05). Sows that had started farrowing during working hours had longer farrowing durations (229.3 ± 3.6 min) than those that had started farrowing during non-working hours (217.6 ± 3.4 min, p = 0.017). In multiparous sows, the duration of farrowing was positively correlated with the maximum temperature (r = 0.056, p = 0.012) and the maximum temperature−humidity index (r = 0.059, p = 0.008) in the 7 days before farrowing. The present data confirm that TB, sow parity, and time of onset of farrowing are significant risk factors for a prolonged farrowing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosua Kristian Adi
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta 55281, Indonesia
| | - Rafa Boonprakob
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Roy N. Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - Padet Tummaruk
- Centre of Excellence in Swine Reproduction, Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-819271066
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Piñán J, Alegre B, Kirkwood RN, Soriano-Úbeda C, Maj M, Domínguez JC, Manjarín R, Martínez-Pastor F. Effect of Season and Parity on Reproduction Performance of Iberian Sows Bred with Duroc Semen. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:3275. [PMID: 34828007 PMCID: PMC8614353 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Iberian pig is an autochthonous breed from the Iberian Peninsula highly valued for its meat. The sows are often bred as Iberian × Duroc crossings for increased efficiency. Since sow parity and season affect the reproductive performance, we evaluated two-year records from a commercial farrow-to-finish farm (live, stillborn, and mummified piglets after artificial insemination, AI). A total of 1293 Iberian sows were inseminated with semen from 57 boars (3024 AI). The effects of parity (gilts, 1, 2-4, 5-10, and >10 farrowings) and season were analyzed by linear mixed-effects models (LME). The data were fitted to cosinor models to investigate seasonal effects within parity groups. The effects of maximum daily temperature (MDT) and day length change (DLC) during spermatogenesis, pre-AI, and post-AI periods were analyzed with LME. The 2-4 group was the optimal one for parity. A seasonal effect was evident between spring-summer (lower fertility/prolificacy) and autumn-winter (higher). Cosinor showed that the seasonal drop in reproductive performance occurs earlier in Iberian sows than in other breeds, more evident in gilts. MDT negatively affected performance in all periods and DLC in spermatogenesis and pre-AI. These results are relevant for the improvement of Iberian sows' intensive farming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Piñán
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.P.); (B.A.); (C.S.-Ú.); (J.C.D.); (F.M.-P.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy (Animal Medicine and Surgery), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Beatriz Alegre
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.P.); (B.A.); (C.S.-Ú.); (J.C.D.); (F.M.-P.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy (Animal Medicine and Surgery), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Roy N. Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5317, Australia;
| | - Cristina Soriano-Úbeda
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.P.); (B.A.); (C.S.-Ú.); (J.C.D.); (F.M.-P.)
| | - Magdalena Maj
- Department of Biological Sciences, California Polytechnic State University, One Grand Ave., Bldg. 10, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA;
| | - Juan Carlos Domínguez
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.P.); (B.A.); (C.S.-Ú.); (J.C.D.); (F.M.-P.)
- Department of Animal Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy (Animal Medicine and Surgery), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Manjarín
- Animal Science Department, California Polytechnic State University, One Grand Ave., Bldg. 10, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407, USA
| | - Felipe Martínez-Pastor
- Institute of Animal Health and Cattle Development (INDEGSAL), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.P.); (B.A.); (C.S.-Ú.); (J.C.D.); (F.M.-P.)
- Department of Molecular Biology (Cell Biology), Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain
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