1
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Rahman MT, Brown-Brandl TM, Rohrer GA, Sharma SR, Manthena V, Shi Y. Statistical and machine learning approaches to describe factors affecting preweaning mortality of piglets. Transl Anim Sci 2023; 7:txad117. [PMID: 38034395 PMCID: PMC10684129 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txad117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
High preweaning mortality (PWM) rates for piglets are a significant concern for the worldwide pork industries, causing economic loss and well-being issues. This study focused on identifying the factors affecting PWM, overlays, and predicting PWM using historical production data with statistical and machine learning models. Data were collected from 1,982 litters from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Nebraska, over the years 2016 to 2021. Sows were housed in a farrowing building with three rooms, each with 20 farrowing crates, and taken care of by well-trained animal caretakers. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the various sow, litter, environment, and piglet parameters on PWM. Then, different models (beta-regression and machine learning model: a random forest [RF]) were evaluated. Finally, the RF model was used to predict PWM and overlays for all listed contributing factors. On average, the mean birth weight was 1.44 kg, and the mean mortality was 16.1% where 5.55% was for stillbirths and 6.20% was contributed by overlays. No significant effect was found for seasonal and location variations on PWM. Significant differences were observed in the effects of litter lines on PWM (P < 0.05). Landrace-sired litters had a PWM of 16.26% (±0.13), whereas Yorkshire-sired litters had 15.91% (±0.13). PWM increased with higher parity orders (P < 0.05) due to larger litter sizes. The RF model provided the best fit for PWM prediction with a root mean squared errors of 2.28 and a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.89 between observed and predicted values. Features' importance from the RF model indicated that, PWM increased with the increase of litter size (mean decrease accuracy (MDA) = 93.17), decrease in mean birth weight (MDA = 22.72), increase in health diagnosis (MDA = 15.34), longer gestation length (MDA = 11.77), and at older parity (MDA = 10.86). However, in this study, the location of the farrowing crate, seasonal differences, and litter line turned out to be the least important predictors for PWM. For overlays, parity order was the highest importance predictor (MDA = 7.68) followed by litter size and mean birth weight. Considering the challenges to reducing the PWM in the larger litters produced in modern swine industry and the limited studies exploring multiple major contributing factors, this study provides valuable insights for breeding and production management, as well as further investigations on postural transitions and behavior analysis of sows during the lactation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Towfiqur Rahman
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
| | - Tami M Brown-Brandl
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
| | - Gary A Rohrer
- USDA-ARS, US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - Sudhendu R Sharma
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
| | - Vamsi Manthena
- Department of Statistics, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
| | - Yeyin Shi
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
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2
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Van Ginneken C, Ayuso M, Van Bockstal L, Van Cruchten S. Preweaning performance in intrauterine growth-restricted piglets: Characteristics and interventions. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:697-707. [PMID: 35652465 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23614] [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: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is frequently observed in pig production, especially when using highly prolific sows. IUGR piglets are born with low body weight and shape indicative of differences in organ growth. Insufficient uteroplacental nutrient transfer to the fetuses is the leading cause of growth restriction in the pig. Supplementing the sow's gestation diet with arginine and/or glutamine improves placenta growth and functionality and consequently is able to reduce IUGR incidence. IUGR piglets are at higher risk of dying preweaning and face higher morbidity than their normal-weight littermates. A high level of surveillance during farrowing and individual nutrient supplementation can reduce the mortality rates. Still, these do not reverse the long-term consequences of IUGR, which are induced by persistent structural deficits in different organs. Dietary interventions peri-weaning can optimize performance but these are less effective in combating the metabolic changes that occurred in IUGR, which affect reproductive performance later in life. IUGR piglets share many similarities with IUGR infants, such as a poorer outcome of males. Using the IUGR piglet as an animal model to further explore the structural and molecular basis of the long-term consequences of IUGR and the potential sex bias could aid in fully understanding the impact of prenatal undernutrition and finding solutions for both species and sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris Van Ginneken
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Miriam Ayuso
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieselotte Van Bockstal
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Steven Van Cruchten
- Comparative Perinatal Development (CoPeD), Faculty of Pharmaceutical, Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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3
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Bruun TS, Pedersen TF, Thorup F, Strathe AV. Selecting the optimal strategies when using nurse sows for supernumerous piglets. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:546-560. [PMID: 37210733 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23688] [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: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Hyper-prolific sows frequently do not have a sufficient number of functional teats for their piglets to nurse which has led to the use of nurse sows to manage these surplus piglets. This review discusses strategies for using nurse sows and factors that influence preweaning survival and weight gain of their litters, as well as those that affect their subsequent rebreeding performance. Rearing piglets using a nurse sow can be as successful as piglets reared with their biological mother and is thus a powerful management tool to decrease preweaning piglet mortality. Selecting a young sow as nurse sow is beneficial for piglet survival; however, piglets nursing first parity sows often have a lower daily weight gain than piglets nursing multiparous sows. A litter of uniform surplus piglets is preferably handled using the two-step nurse sow strategy. A consequence of nonuniform litters will most likely be an increased mortality and decreased weaning weight among the smallest piglets within a litter. The subsequent fertility of nurse sows is not compromised. There is an increased risk of lactational oestrus when using nurse sows leading to an increased weaning-to-oestrus interval; however, litter size in nurse sows is identical or even moderately higher in the subsequent parity compared with nonnurse sows.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Anja Varmløse Strathe
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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4
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Rodríguez M, Díaz-Amor G, Morales J, Koketsu Y, Piñeiro C. Feed intake patterns of modern genetics lactating sows: characterization and effect of the reproductive parameters. Porcine Health Manag 2023; 9:6. [PMID: 36717954 PMCID: PMC9887795 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-022-00300-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowing the feed intake pattern during lactation of modern genetic sows is crucial because it allows to anticipate possible problems and maximize their performance. On the other side, electronic feeders permit real-time data to be available for a more accurate evaluation of sow eating behavior. This work aimed to characterize the feed intake patterns of lactating highly prolific sows and determine their effect on reproductive performance. A database of 1,058 registers of feed intake collected from a commercial farm was used to identify five consistent sets of clusters (feeding curves) using machine learning. In the second step, the five feeding curves were characterized into five patterns by high, medium and low feed intake during 0-6 d and 7-28 d of lactation: 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM, 4-MM and 5-LL. RESULTS The mean daily feed intake of all the sows was 6.2 kg (0.06 SEM) across the 5 patterns. As the pattern numbers increased from 1-HH, 2-MH, 3-HM and 4-MM to 5-LL, their mean daily feed intake decreased from 7.6 to 6.9, 6.4, 5.8 and 4.3 (0.06 SEM) kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Sows with Pattern 1-HH tended to have shorter weaning-to-first service interval (P = 0.06) and had a higher farrowing rate than those with Pattern 5-LL (P < 0.01). Furthermore, contrast analysis showed that sows with Patterns 1-HH and 2-MH tended to have more piglets weaned (P = 0.05) and lower preweaning mortality (P = 0.07) than those with Patterns 3-HM and 4-MM. Also, sows with Patterns 1-HH and 3-HM had fewer stillborn piglets and a lower percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies than those with Patterns 2-MH and 4-MM (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This study indicates the importance of reaching Pattern 1-HH by rapidly increasing feed intake during early lactation and high feed intake during late lactation, which is associated with high weaning performance and subsequent reproductive performance of the sows. Also, the current study suggests that Pattern 1-HH is linked to good farrowing with a low percentage of stillborn piglets and mummies. Finally, it is critical for producers to timely identify a problem of sows' eating behavior and to make a prompt decision to intervene.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Rodríguez
- PigCHAMP Pro Europa S.L, C/Dámaso Alonso 14, 40006 Segovia, Spain
| | | | - Joaquín Morales
- PigCHAMP Pro Europa S.L, C/Dámaso Alonso 14, 40006 Segovia, Spain
| | - Yuzo Koketsu
- grid.411764.10000 0001 2106 7990School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Higashi-mita 1-1-1, Tama-ku, 214- 8571 Kawasaki, Kanagawa Japan
| | - Carlos Piñeiro
- PigCHAMP Pro Europa S.L, C/Dámaso Alonso 14, 40006 Segovia, Spain
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5
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Wensley MR, Woodworth JC, Tokach MD, Goodband RD, DeRouchey JM, Gebhardt JT. Effect of early vs. late maturing sire lines and creep feeding on the cortisol response, intestinal permeability, and growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. J Anim Sci 2023; 101:skad169. [PMID: 37226536 PMCID: PMC10259252 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skad169] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
A total of 21 litters (11 early and 10 late maturing Duroc × DNA 241) resulting in 241 pigs were used in 170 d trial to determine the effect of sire lines selected for either early or late maturing growth rates and creep feeding on the cortisol concentration, intestinal permeability, and growth performance of nursery and finishing pigs. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial with main effect of Duroc sire line (early or late maturing) and creep feeding (with or without). Creep feed was provided for 14 d prior to weaning. After weaning (approximately 21 d of age; initially 6.4 kg), no interactions were observed for blood cortisol. However, blood cortisol levels were increased (P = 0.011) in late maturing pigs compared to early maturing pigs. A lower percentage (P < 0.001) of early maturing pigs lost weight 3 d post-weaning compared to late maturing pigs. Likewise, early maturing pigs had improved (P < 0.001) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) during the first 3 d in the nursery and also had increased ADFI (P < 0.001) from days 2 to 14 in the nursery. Creep feeding had no effect on initial nursery performance. On day 7, after a 2-h fast, a subsample of pigs was administered an oral gavage of lactulose and mannitol dissolved in distilled water. No differences by sire line, creep feeding, or their interactions were observed in lactulose:mannitol ratio. For overall nursery growth performance, an interaction was observed for ADG (P = 0.007) and ADFI (P < 0.001), with creep feed providing a benefit in late maturing pigs, but not in early maturing pigs. Early maturing pigs had poorer gain-to-feed ratio (G:F) (P < 0.001) than late maturing pigs. For overall finishing performance, an interaction was observed for ADG (P = 0.037) and ADFI (P = 0.007), with creep feed providing a benefit in late maturing pigs, but not in early maturing pigs. This resulted in an interaction for final body weight (P = 0.005), with late maturing pigs that did not receive creep feed having decreased market weights (P ≤ 0.003) compared to the other treatments. In summary, early maturing pigs had decreased cortisol concentration at weaning and improved ADG and ADFI until approximately 100 kg, at which point late maturing pigs began to exhibit greater ADG. Late maturing pigs had improved G:F from 46 d of age until market. Interestingly, creep feeding late maturing pigs resulted in increased day 170 weight compared with providing no creep feed, whereas creep feed did not impact early maturing pigs (sire line × creep feed interaction, P < 0.005).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madie R Wensley
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Jason C Woodworth
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Mike D Tokach
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Robert D Goodband
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Joel M DeRouchey
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Jordan T Gebhardt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
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6
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Development of a new grading system to assess the foster performance of lactating sows. Animal 2022; 16:100655. [DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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7
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Canibe N, Højberg O, Kongsted H, Vodolazska D, Lauridsen C, Nielsen TS, Schönherz AA. Review on Preventive Measures to Reduce Post-Weaning Diarrhoea in Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2585. [PMID: 36230326 PMCID: PMC9558551 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In many countries, medical levels of zinc (typically as zinc oxide) are added to piglet diets in the first two weeks post-weaning to prevent the development of post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD). However, high levels of zinc constitute an environmental polluting agent, and may contribute to the development and/or maintenance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among bacteria. Consequently, the EU banned administering medical levels of zinc in pig diets as of June 2022. However, this may result in an increased use of antibiotic therapeutics to combat PWD and thereby an increased risk of further AMR development. The search for alternative measures against PWD with a minimum use of antibiotics and in the absence of medical levels of zinc has therefore been intensified over recent years, and feed-related measures, including feed ingredients, feed additives, and feeding strategies, are being intensively investigated. Furthermore, management strategies have been developed and are undoubtedly relevant; however, these will not be addressed in this review. Here, feed measures (and vaccines) are addressed, these being probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, proteobiotics, plants and plant extracts (in particular essential oils and tannins), macroalgae (particularly macroalgae-derived polysaccharides), dietary fibre, antimicrobial peptides, specific amino acids, dietary fatty acids, milk replacers, milk components, creep feed, vaccines, bacteriophages, and single-domain antibodies (nanobodies). The list covers measures with a rather long history and others that require significant development before their eventual use can be extended. To assess the potential of feed-related measures in combating PWD, the literature reviewed here has focused on studies reporting parameters of PWD (i.e., faeces score and/or faeces dry matter content during the first two weeks post-weaning). Although the impact on PWD (or related parameters) of the investigated measures may often be inconsistent, many studies do report positive effects. However, several studies have shown that control pigs do not suffer from diarrhoea, making it difficult to evaluate the biological and practical relevance of these improvements. From the reviewed literature, it is not possible to rank the efficacy of the various measures, and the efficacy most probably depends on a range of factors related to animal genetics and health status, additive doses used, composition of the feed, etc. We conclude that a combination of various measures is probably most recommendable in most situations. However, in this respect, it should be considered that combining strategies may lead to additive (e.g., synbiotics), synergistic (e.g., plant materials), or antagonistic (e.g., algae compounds) effects, requiring detailed knowledge on the modes of action in order to design effective strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuria Canibe
- Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Blichers Allé 20, 8830 Tjele, Denmark
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8
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Sands JM, Rodrigues LA, Wellington MO, Panisson JC, Columbus DA. Pre- and post-weaning performance of piglets offered different types of creep feed. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2021-0038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We determined the impact of creep feed provision and type on pre- and post-weaning growth performance of piglets. At 2 wk post farrow, litters (n = 50) were given no creep feed or provided a simple creep feed, a complex creep feed, or both until weaning at ∼28 d. Creep feed, regardless of type, resulted in increased growth (P < 0.05) of piglets in the final week pre-weaning and immediate week post-weaning, which was not maintained at the end of the nursery period. Piglets showed no preference for creep feed type (P > 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade M. Sands
- Prairie Swine Centre, Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Lucas A. Rodrigues
- Prairie Swine Centre, Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Michael O. Wellington
- Prairie Swine Centre, Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Josiane C. Panisson
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
| | - Daniel A. Columbus
- Prairie Swine Centre, Inc., Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N9, Canada
- Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A8, Canada
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9
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Wang L, Zhang S, Johnston LJ, Levesque CL, Yin J, Dong B. A systematic review and meta-analysis of dietary fat effects on reproductive performance of sows and growth performance of piglets. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:12. [PMID: 35130973 PMCID: PMC8822652 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-021-00662-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Effects of added fat in sow diets on the sows’ reproductive performance and offspring growth performance are influenced by multiple factors such as genetics, nutrition, parity, ambient temperatures, and farm management. Individual studies cannot cover all these factors. With the view to address this challenge, we searched all studies that were published from 1986 to 2020, and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on the fat effect. In total, 19 papers were collected and analyzed. Fat supplementation in sow diets during late gestation and lactation decreased average daily feed intake (ADFI, P < 0.05) and tended to increase average daily energy intake (ADEI, P = 0.11). It had no impact on litter weights at birth (P = 0.40) or weaning (P = 0.46). It increased total numbers of piglets at birth (P = 0.07), but had no effect on liveborn per litter (P = 0.90) or survival rate (P = 0.48) of piglets to weaning. Fat supplementation had no significant effect on sow body weight loss (P = 0.67) or backfat thickness changes (P = 0.66), but sows fed diets with added fat had increased milk fat concentration (P = 0.03) and shorter wean to estrus intervals (WEI, P = 0.01). In specific circumstances, fat supplementation tended to improve growth performance of piglets with low litter weights at birth (P = 0.14), or when the sows lost large amounts of body weight during lactation (P = 0.11). The level of supplemented fat was 10% and higher would decrease liveborn per litter at neutral temperature (P = 0.10). The meta-analysis revealed that fat supplementation to sows diet during late gestation and lactation can be beneficial for sow reproductive performance and litter growth performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lee J Johnston
- West Central Research and Outreach Center, University of Minnesota, Morris, MN, 56267, USA
| | - Crystal L Levesque
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA
| | - Jingdong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Bing Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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10
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Vande Pol KD, Bautista RO, Harper H, Shull CM, Brown CB, Ellis M. Effect of rearing cross-fostered piglets in litters of either uniform or mixed birth weights on preweaning growth and mortality. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab030. [PMID: 34841203 PMCID: PMC8611808 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-fostering is a practice commonly used in the swine industry to equalize litter
sizes, however, there is limited understanding of the optimum cross-fostering methods that
will maximize piglet preweaning growth and survival. This study evaluated the effects of
within-litter variation in birth weight after cross-fostering on piglet preweaning
mortality (PWM) and weaning weight (WW) using litters of 15 piglets. A hierarchical
incomplete block design was used (blocking factors: day of farrowing and sow parity, body
condition score, and number of functional teats) with a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of
treatments: 1) Birth Weight Category (BWC): Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or
Heavy (1.5 to 2.0 kg); 2) Litter Composition: UNIFORM (all 15 piglets in each litter of
the same BWC), or MIXED (five piglets in each litter from each BWC, i.e., five Light, five
Medium, and five Heavy piglets). At 24 h after birth, piglets were weighed and randomly
allotted to litter composition treatments from within BWC. The experimental unit was five
piglets of the same BWC; there were three experimental units within each Litter
Composition treatment litter. There were 17 blocks, each of six litters (one UNIFORM
litter of each BWC; three MIXED litters) and 51 replicates (three replicates per block of
six litters) for a total of 102 cross-fostered litters and 1,530 piglets. Piglets were
weaned at 19.7 ± 0.46 d of age; WW and PWM were measured. PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS
were used to analyze PWM and WW, respectively. Models included BWC, Litter Composition,
the interaction, and replicate within the block. There were BWC by Litter Composition
treatment interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM and WW. Preweaning mortality
was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Light piglets in MIXED than UNIFORM litters.
In contrast, for Heavy piglets, PWM was greater (P ≤ 0.05) and WW was
lower (P ≤ 0.05) in UNIFORM than MIXED litters. Medium piglets had
similar (P > 0.05) PWM and WW in UNIFORM and MIXED litters. The
results of this study, which involved large litter sizes typical of current commercial
production, suggested that for piglet survival to weaning, using cross-fostering to form
litters of piglets of similar birth weight was beneficial for light piglets, detrimental
for heavy piglets, and neutral for medium piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D Vande Pol
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Raphael O Bautista
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Heath Harper
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Ellis
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
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11
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Nowland TL, Kirkwood RN, Pluske JR. Review: Can early-life establishment of the piglet intestinal microbiota influence production outcomes? Animal 2021; 16 Suppl 2:100368. [PMID: 34649827 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract microbiota is involved in the development and function of many body processes. Studies demonstrate that early-life microbial colonisation is the most important time for shaping intestinal and immune development, with perturbations to the microbiota during this time having long-lasting negative implications for the host. Piglets face many early-life events that shape the acquisition and development of their intestinal microbiota. The pork industry has a unique advantage in that the producer has a degree of control over what piglets are exposed to, providing conditions that allow for optimum piglet growth and development. An influx of publications within this area has occurred in recent times and with this, interest surrounding its application in pork production has increased. However, it can be difficult to distinguish which research is of most relevance to industry in terms of delivering repeatable and reliable production outcomes. In this review, we describe the literature surrounding research within pigs, predominantly during the preweaning period that has either provided solutions to industry problems or is generating information targeted at addressing relevant industry issues, with the focus being on studies demonstrating causation where possible. This review will provide a basis for the development of new studies targeted at understanding how to better support initial intestinal microbiota colonisation in order to improve piglet health and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- T L Nowland
- Livestock Sciences, South Australian Research and Development Institute, PPPI Building, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia.
| | - R N Kirkwood
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
| | - J R Pluske
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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12
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Vande Pol KD, Bautista RO, Harper H, Shull CM, Brown CB, Ellis M. Effect of within-litter birth weight variation after cross-fostering on piglet preweaning growth and mortality. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab039. [PMID: 34723136 PMCID: PMC8552483 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cross-fostering is commonly used in commercial swine production to equalize litter sizes and/or adjust piglet birth weights within litters. However, there is limited published information on optimum cross-fostering procedures. This study evaluated the effects of within-litter birth weight variation after cross-fostering (using litters of 14 piglets) on piglet preweaning mortality (PWM) and weaning weight (WW). An RCBD was used (blocking factors were day of farrowing and sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number) with an incomplete factorial arrangement of the following two treatments: 1) birth weight category (BWC): light (<1.0 kg), medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or heavy (1.5 to 2.0 kg); 2) litter composition: uniform, all piglets in the litter of the same BWC [uniform light (14 light piglets); uniform medium (14 medium piglets); uniform heavy (14 heavy piglets)]; mixed, piglets in the litter of two or more BWC [L+M (seven light and seven medium piglets); M+H (seven medium and seven heavy piglets); L+M+H (three light, six medium, and five heavy piglets)]. Piglets were weighed at 24 h after birth and randomly allotted to litter composition treatment from within BWC; all piglets were cross-fostered. There were 47 blocks of six litters (total 282 litters and 3,948 piglets). Weaning weights were collected at 18.7 ± 0.64 d of age; all PWM was recorded. Individual piglet WW and PWM data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and PROC GLIMMIX of SAS, respectively; models included fixed effects of BWC, litter composition, and the interaction, and random effects of sow within the block. There was litter composition by BWC interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for WW and PWM. Within each BWC, WW generally increased and PWM generally decreased as littermate weight decreased. For example, WW was greatest (P ≤ 0.05) for light piglets in uniform light litters, for medium piglets in L+M litters, and for heavy piglets in L+M+H litters. Preweaning mortality was lowest (P ≤ 0.05) for medium piglets in L+M litters, and for heavy piglets in L+M+H litters; however, litter composition had no effect (P > 0.05) on PWM of light piglets. In conclusion, increasing the average birth weight of littermates after cross-fostering generally decreased WW and increased PWM for piglets of all birth weight categories. This implies that the optimum approach to cross-fostering that maximizes piglet preweaning growth and survival is likely to vary depending on the birth weight distribution of the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine D Vande Pol
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Rafael O Bautista
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | - Heath Harper
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
| | | | | | - Michael Ellis
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of
Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, USA
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Oliveira ES, Nascimento ELL, Lima HKS, Neves JS, Damasceno JG, Silva JC, Oliveira NC, Nascimento PH, Oliveira RA, Araújo VO, Vieira MFA, Monteiro BM, Schinckel AP, Garbossa CAP. Influence of creep feeder position on the behavior and performance of preweaning piglets and sows in a hot climate environment. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2021; 93:e20200248. [PMID: 33978067 DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202120200248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of creep feeding for preweaning piglets is important to improve the performance of the piglets. The objective of this experiment was evaluate the effect of using or altering the position of piglet's creep feeder during lactation on piglet's performance and on behavior of piglets and sows kept in a hot climate environment. Forty-five sows and their litters at 10 days of lactation were randomly distributed into three treatments: front feeder (FF) - near the side of the sow's head; back feeder (BF) - near the side of the rump of the sow; and no feeder (NF). All piglets were weighed individually to evaluate the average weight, weight gain and coefficient of variation of the weight. Behavior assessments of the piglets and sows were recorded in 3 period. At 15 and 21 d, piglets of the FF treatment were heavier (P ≤ 0.0001) than piglets of the other treatments. At 10-21d piglets of FF treatment had 76.2% less belly nosing behavior than the NF piglets (P=0.015). The treatments had no impact on behavior of the sows. The creep feeders positioned in the front of the farrowing crate increased piglet growth rate and decreased frequency of belly nosing behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewerson S Oliveira
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Elaine L L Nascimento
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Hellen K S Lima
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Jacqueline S Neves
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Jamilly G Damasceno
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Juliana C Silva
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Natália C Oliveira
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Pedro H Nascimento
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Rafael A Oliveira
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Vitor O Araújo
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Maria F A Vieira
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Bruno M Monteiro
- Universidade Federal Rural do Amazonas, Campus Paragominas, PA-256, s/n, Nova Conquista, 68627-451 Paragominas, PA, Brazil
| | - Allan P Schinckel
- Purdue University, Animal Science Department, 270 South Russell street, West Lafayette, 47907-204, Purdue, IN, USA
| | - Cesar A P Garbossa
- Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Departamento de Nutrição e Produção Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Av. Duque de Caxias Norte, 225, Jardim Elite, 13635-900 Pirassununga, SP, Brazil
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14
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Zhang X, Wang M, He T, Long S, Guo Y, Chen Z. Effect of Different Cross-Fostering Strategies on Growth Performance, Stress Status and Immunoglobulin of Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:499. [PMID: 33672945 PMCID: PMC7918224 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of different cross-fostering strategies on the growth performance, stress and immunity of piglets was investigated in this study. In the first experiment, a total of 20 litters (i.e., 20 sows) and 120 piglets were classified into one of six treatments in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. The treatments consisted of piglets without or with cross-fostering and different birth weights (low birth weight, LBW; intermediate birth weight, IBW; high birth weight, HBW). The weaning weight (WW) and average daily gain (ADG) of LBW piglets and IBW piglets were not significantly different between the not cross-fostered (NC-F) group and the cross-fostered (C-F) group. There was a higher (p < 0.05) ADG in the control piglets compared with the cross-fostered piglets. This effect on ADG was only seen in the HBW piglets. In the second experiment, six sows with a similar body condition and farrowed on the same day were selected. Three female piglets with a birth weight of 0.6-0.85 kg were selected from each litter as experimental piglets. Eighteen piglets were grouped into three treatments: (1) not cross-fostered (NC-F1), (2) cross-fostered at 36-48 h after birth (C-F1), (3) cross-fostered at day 7 after birth (C-F2). The growth performance of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets was higher than C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05), and the suckling positions of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets on days 8, 12, 16 and 20 were more forward than the C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05). Plasma cortisol (COR) concentrations of NC-F1 and C-F1 piglets were lower than C-F2 piglets (p < 0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between BW at day 21 and plasma COR concentration. In conclusion, cross-fostering within 24 h of birth has adverse influences on the ADG of HBW piglets, while it has no negative effect on the ADG of LBW and IBW piglets. Moreover, for IBW piglets, late cross-fostering (i.e., on day 7 after farrowing) has negative impacts on the growth performance and teat order of piglets, and it increases the cortisol level of piglets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Zhaohui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (X.Z.); (M.W.); (T.H.); (S.L.); (Y.G.)
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15
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Wensley MR, Tokach MD, Woodworth JC, Goodband RD, Gebhardt JT, DeRouchey JM, McKilligan D. Maintaining continuity of nutrient intake after weaning. I. Review of pre-weaning strategies. Transl Anim Sci 2021; 5:txab021. [PMID: 33750992 PMCID: PMC7963027 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txab021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Weaning is a crucial phase of swine production marked by a multitude of biological and environmental stressors, which have a significant impact on immediate postweaning behavior and feed intake (FI). During this time, the piglet's gastrointestinal (GI) system is also undergoing extensive epithelial, immune, and nervous system development. In this review, our objective is to describe the different preweaning strategies that can be used to minimize nutrient intake disruption and improve FI in the immediate postweaning period. Reducing nutrient disruption postweaning can be accomplished through the implementation of management and nutritional strategies. Research consistently demonstrates that weaning older, more developmentally mature pigs helps prevent many of the adverse GI effects associated with weaning stress. Providing creep feed to pigs during lactation is another reliable strategy that has been shown to increase immediate postweaning FI by acclimating pigs to solid feed prior to weaning. Likewise, socialization by allowing pigs to mix before weaning improves social skills, minimizing mixing stress, and aggression-related injury immediately postweaning. Supplemental milk replacer has also been shown to elicit a positive response in preweaning growth performance, which may help to reduce preweaning mortality. While socialization and milk replacer are acknowledged to ease the weaning transition, these strategies have not been widely adopted due to labor and application challenges. Additionally, the cost of milk replacer and logistics of retrofitting farrowing houses to accommodate litter socialization have limited adaptation. Further exploration of maternal nutrition strategies, particularly fetal imprinting, is needed to better understand the implications of perinatal learning. Other areas for future research include, combining environmental enrichment with feeding strategies, such as large destructible pellets or play feeders, as well as determining at what time point producers should start socializing pigs before weaning. While more research is needed to develop strategic preweaning management programs, many of the strategies presented in this review provide opportunities for producers to minimize nutrient intake disruption by preventing feed neophobia, reducing stress, and easing the wean pig transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madie R Wensley
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Mike D Tokach
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Jason C Woodworth
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Robert D Goodband
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Jordan T Gebhardt
- Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
| | - Joel M DeRouchey
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, College of Agriculture, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
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16
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Using Nutritional Strategies to Shape the Gastro-Intestinal Tracts of Suckling and Weaned Piglets. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11020402. [PMID: 33562533 PMCID: PMC7914898 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This is a comprehensive review on the use of nutritional strategies to shape the functioning of the gastro-intestinal tract in suckling and weaned piglets. The progressive development of a piglet's gut and the associated microbiota and immune system offers a unique window of opportunity for supporting gut health through dietary modulation. This is particularly relevant for large litters, for which sow colostrum and milk are insufficient. The authors have therefore proposed the use of supplemental milk and creep feed with a dual purpose. In addition to providing nutrients to piglets, supplemental milk can also serve as a gut modulator in early life by incorporating functional ingredients with potential long-term benefits. To prepare piglets for weaning, it is important to stimulate the intake of solid feed before weaning, in addition to stimulating the number of piglets eating. The use of functional ingredients in creep feed and a transition diet around the time of weaning helps to habituate piglets to solid feed in general, while also preparing the gut for the digestion and fermentation of specific ingredients. In the first days after weaning (i.e., the acute phase), it is important to maintain high levels of feed intake and focus on nutritional strategies that support good gastric (barrier) function and that avoid overloading the impaired digestion and fermentation capacity of the piglets. In the subsequent maturation phase, the ratio of lysine to energy can be increased gradually in order to stimulate piglet growth. This is because the digestive and fermentation capacity of the piglets is more mature at this stage, thus allowing the inclusion of more fermentable fibres. Taken together, the nutritional strategies addressed in this review provide a structured approach to preparing piglets for success during weaning and the period that follows. The implementation of this approach and the insights to be developed through future research can help to achieve some of the most important goals in pig production: reducing piglet mortality, morbidity and antimicrobial use.
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17
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Hideshima CS, Alberton GC, Fernandes SR, Donin DG, Gonsalves RN, Backes AP, Mentges FDM, Silva AJDS, Farias Júnior ASD. Influence of biological and management factors on piglets in the maternity phase. CIÊNCIA ANIMAL BRASILEIRA 2021. [DOI: 10.1590/1809-6891v22e-67396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract The goal of this study was to assess the effects of uniformization management, birth order (BO), birth weight (BiW) and their interactions on the performance of piglets in the maternity phase. Sows (n = 25) and their litters (n = 388 piglets) were distributed into two treatments, namely: UNIF - uniformization of piglets between different litters right after birth; and BIOM - piglets kept up to 12 hours after birth with their biological mothers. In both treatments, the effect of BO was assessed in three groups characterised by BO of 1-6, 7-12, and ≥13. The effect of BiW was assessed in four groups defined as ‘very light’, ‘light’, ‘medium’, and ‘heavy’. The design was completely randomised in a 2×3×4 factorial scheme, totalling 24 treatments with 16 piglets/treatment, on average. Weight gain from birth to 72 hours after birth (WG72h) was greater in the BIOM treatment. The colostrum intake (CI) was lower in piglets with BO ≥13. In general, piglet performance increased in response to the increase in BiW. There was interaction between uniformization management and BiW with respect to CI related to body weight (CIBW), which was greater in very light piglets in the UNIF treatment (27.48% BW), and lower in heavy piglets in the BIOM treatment (16.82% BW). It was possible to obtain satisfactory piglet performance by keeping the litters with their biological mothers until 12 hours after birth. The CI expressed on an absolute basis (g) was greater; however, CI expressed on relative basis with respect to body weight (% BW) was lower in heavy piglets.
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18
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Hawe SJ, Scollan N, Gordon A, Muns R, Magowan E. Impact of feeding low and average birthweight pigs on a weight basis post-weaning on growth performance and body composition. Livest Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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19
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Kobek-Kjeldager C, Moustsen VA, Theil PK, Pedersen LJ. Effect of large litter size and within-litter differences in piglet weight on the use of milk replacer in litters from hyper-prolific sows under two housing conditions. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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20
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Kobek-Kjeldager C, Moustsen VA, Theil PK, Pedersen LJ. Effect of litter size, milk replacer and housing on behaviour and welfare related to sibling competition in litters from hyper-prolific sows. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2020.105032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Camp Montoro J, Manzanilla EG, Solà-Oriol D, Muns R, Gasa J, Clear O, Calderón Díaz JA. Predicting Productive Performance in Grow-Finisher Pigs Using Birth and Weaning Body Weight. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E1017. [PMID: 32545432 PMCID: PMC7341257 DOI: 10.3390/ani10061017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to (1) investigate the effect of birth and weaning body weight (BW) on performance indicators of grow-finisher pigs and (2) estimate birth and weaning BW cut-off values in order to identify slow growing pigs (SGP). Pigs (n = 144) were classified as SMALL (0.9 ± 0.13 kg) or BIG (1.4 ± 0.20 kg) at birth and re-classified as SMALL (5.4 ± 1.6 kg) or BIG (6.3 ± 1.91 kg) at weaning. Individual BW was recorded bi-weekly, and feed intake was recorded on a daily basis. Average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and days to target slaughter weight (TSW) were calculated. SMALL-SMALL pigs had lower ADG (p < 0.05) requiring 167.1 days (i.e., 14.2 extra days) to TSW (p < 0.05) compared with BIG pigs at birth and/or weaning. However, FCR was similar between groups (p > 0.05). Pigs weaned at <3.7 kg BW would likely be SGP. Pigs born at ≥1.1 kg BW or weaned at ≥6.4 kg BW are more likely to reach TSW at 22 weeks of age. The results suggest that birth BW might not be the best predictor for subsequent performance, as some small-born pigs were able to catch up with their bigger counterparts. The cut-off values identified could be used to design specific management and nutritional strategies for SGP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Camp Montoro
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Cork P61 C996, Ireland; (E.G.M.); (O.C.); (J.A.C.D.)
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (D.S.-O.); (J.G.)
| | - Edgar Garcia Manzanilla
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Cork P61 C996, Ireland; (E.G.M.); (O.C.); (J.A.C.D.)
- UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
| | - David Solà-Oriol
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (D.S.-O.); (J.G.)
| | - Ramon Muns
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Large Park, Hillsborough, Co Down BT 26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK;
| | - Josep Gasa
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; (D.S.-O.); (J.G.)
| | - Oliver Clear
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Cork P61 C996, Ireland; (E.G.M.); (O.C.); (J.A.C.D.)
| | - Julia Adriana Calderón Díaz
- Pig Development Department, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Cork P61 C996, Ireland; (E.G.M.); (O.C.); (J.A.C.D.)
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Gaukroger CH, Stewart CJ, Edwards SA, Walshaw J, Adams IP, Kyriazakis I. Changes in Faecal Microbiota Profiles Associated With Performance and Birthweight of Piglets. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:917. [PMID: 32595608 PMCID: PMC7300224 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The gastrointestinal tract microbiota interacts with the host to modulate metabolic phenotype. This interaction could provide insights into why some low birthweight pigs can exhibit compensatory growth whilst others remain stunted. This study aimed to identify microbiota markers associated with birthweight [low birthweight (n = 13) or normal birthweight pigs (n = 13)] and performance ["good" or "poor" average daily gain (ADG) class]. Furthermore, the study determined whether the taxonomic markers were longitudinal, or time point specific in their ability to identify low birthweight pigs who could exhibit compensatory growth. Faecal samples were collected and liveweight recorded at 10 different time points from birth to 56 days of age. No consistent associations between birthweight, performance and gut microbiota were found across all time points. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) effect of birthweight on microbiota richness at 21, 27, 32 and 56 days of age. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in genera abundance according to birthweight and performance were also identified. Low birthweight pigs had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-005, but a significantly (P < 0.05) higher abundance of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 on days 21 and 32, respectively. Piglets classified as having a "good" ADG class had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher abundance of Lactobacillus, unclassified Prevotellaceae and Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 on days 4, 8 and 14, respectively. Furthermore, Ruminococcaceae UCG-005 was significantly more abundant at 14 days of age in normal birthweight pigs with a "good" ADG class compared to those classified as "poor." The results of this study indicate that there are time point-specific differences in the microbiota associated with birthweight and performance, corresponding to the period in which solid feed intake first occurs. Identifying early-life microbiota markers associated with performance emphasises the importance of the neonatal phase when considering intervention strategies aimed at promoting performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare H Gaukroger
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Stewart
- Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra A Edwards
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ian P Adams
- Fera Science Limited, York, United Kingdom.,Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Ilias Kyriazakis
- School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
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23
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Huting AMS, Wellock I, Tuer S, Kyriazakis I. Weaning age and post-weaning nursery feeding regime are important in improving the performance of lightweight pigs. J Anim Sci 2020; 97:4834-4844. [PMID: 31679028 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim was to investigate the effect of weaning age, weaning weight, and nursery feeding regime on post-weaning performance. The focus was on pigs weaned light, as they may be better off when weaned at a later age and/or offered a specialist nursery feeding regime. Piglets (n = 1,448) from one farrowing batch of 110 sows that farrowed over 2 wk were individually weighed and their morphometric measurements were taken at birth. Pigs were weaned on the same day, but variation in birth date resulted in variable weaning ages (mean age day 34.1, SD = 2.5). The youngest 50% at weaning were classified Y and the oldest 50% as O; within an age class, the lightest 50% were classified L, the heaviest 50% as H, and housed accordingly. Pigs were individually weighed at weaning, 7 and 15 wk post-weaning. At weaning, Y were 6 d younger and 1.4 kg lighter than O pigs, whereas L were 3.2 kg lighter than H pigs. Pigs were randomly allocated to a 3-stage superior (SUP) or control (CON) nursery feeding regime, with SUP pigs having a 65% greater allowance (on a kg/pig basis) of the first and second stage feeds than the CON. Pigs weaned Y had a higher mortality rate from weaning to 7 wk post-weaning than pigs weaned O (9.14% vs. 4.98%; P = 0.046). As expected, age and weight significantly (P < 0.001) affected performance to both 7 and 15 wk post-weaning: at 15-wk pigs weaned Y were 5.5 kg lighter than pigs weaned O; pigs weaned L were 9.0 kg lighter than H pigs. It was estimated that pigs weaned YL needed ~4 d more (P = 0.018) to reach 60 kg BW than pigs weaned OL. Feed intake was not affected by feeding regime, age and weight, or their interactions. Performance was not affected by feeding regime (P > 0.05), but was affected by the weight × feeding regime interaction (P = 0.044) to 7 wk post-weaning: L pigs on SUP were 1.2 kg heavier than L pigs on the CON regime; this was not the case for the H pigs. Performance up to 7 wk post-weaning was positively associated with birth weight to cranial circumference ratio and weaning weight (P < 0.05) for both YL and OL pigs; for the latter, additional performance predictors were weaning age (P = 0.044) and feeding (P = 0.027). Improved growth for L pigs up to 7 wk post-weaning could be obtained by a greater allowance of the nursery diets. However, weaning at a later age benefitted the performance of L pigs to a common BW, suggesting that this might be a strategy with longer term benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M S Huting
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.,Primary Diets, ABAgri, Melmerby, Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
| | - Ian Wellock
- Primary Diets, ABAgri, Melmerby, Ripon, North Yorkshire, UK
| | - Steve Tuer
- Stephen Tuer Farms Ltd, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, UK
| | - Ilias Kyriazakis
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Sow behaviour and piglet weight gain after late cross-fostering in farrowing crates and pens. Animal 2020; 14:1923-1933. [PMID: 32241314 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731120000580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining best practices for managing free farrowing systems is crucial for uptake. Cross-fostering, the exchange of piglets between litters, is routinely performed amongst crate-housed sows. However, cross-fostering can increase fighting amongst the litter and may be more challenging within free farrowing systems as sows have more freedom to respond to cross-fostered piglets. This study compared the effect of either cross-fostering (FOS), or a control of sham-fostering (CON), of four focal piglets per litter on Day 6 postpartum in crates (CRATE) and free farrowing pens (PEN). The post-treatment behavioural responses of sows were recorded (Day 6 = 60 min; Day 7 = 300 min; n = 48), as were the average daily gain (ADG; g/day), total weight gain (TWG; kg) and body lesion scores of focal piglets and their littermates throughout lactation (Day 6, Day 8, Day 11 and Day 26; n = 539) and the post-weaning period (Day 29, Day 32 and Day 60; n = 108). On Day 6, though post-reunion latency to nursing did not differ, latency to successful nursing was longer amongst FOS than CON litters (P < 0.001), more so amongst CRATE FOS than PEN FOS (P < 0.01). On Day 7, PEN FOS sows had fewer successful nursing bouts (P < 0.05) and exhibited decreased lateral (P < 0.01) and increased ventral lying frequencies (P < 0.01) compared to all other housing and treatment combinations. Focal piglet ADG was lower for FOS than CON in the CRATE during Day 6 to Day 8 (P < 0.01) and lower in the PEN during Day 6 to Day 8 (P < 0.001), Day 8 to Day 11 (P < 0.01) and Day 11 to Day 26 (P < 0.05). The TWG of pre-weaned focal piglets (Day 6 to Day 26) was higher amongst CON than FOS litters (P = 0.01). Post-weaning, piglet ADG was higher for PEN than CRATE during Day 26 to Day 29 (P < 0.01) and higher for FOS than CON during Day 26 to Day 29 (P < 0.05), Day 29 to Day 32 (P < 0.001) and Day 32 to Day 60 (P < 0.01); thus, TWG was higher for FOS than CON during the weaner (P = 0.001) and the combined lactation and weaner periods (P = 0.09). In conclusion, sow behaviour was disrupted by cross-fostering in the crates and pens and continued to be disturbed on the following day amongst penned sows. FOS piglets exhibited reduced ADG after cross-fostering, which extended throughout lactation in the pens. However, the increased post-weaning weight gain of FOS piglets meant that their TWG was higher than CON piglets, irrespective of the farrowing system used.
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Differential Effects of Breed and Nursing on Early-Life Colonic Microbiota and Immune Status as Revealed in a Cross-Fostering Piglet Model. Appl Environ Microbiol 2019; 85:AEM.02510-18. [PMID: 30824438 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02510-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nursing mother and breed can differently regulate early-life microbiota succession in pigs. However, it remains unclear whether they affect gastrointestinal microbiota and immune status, which are critical for early-life gut health. Here, an interspecific cross-fostering piglet model was employed by fostering neonatal Yorkshire and Meishan piglets to the same or another breed of sows. Jejunal and colonic microbiotas and mucosal immune parameters were analyzed at postnatal days 14 (preweaning) and 49 (postweaning). Nursing mother affected 10 genera in the colon and 3 minor genera in the jejunum. At day 14, Meishan sow-nursed piglets had lower Streptococcus suis and higher Cloacibacillus counts in the colonic digesta and larger amounts of interleukin 10 and Foxp3-positive cells in the colonic mucosa than did Yorkshire sow-nursed piglets. At day 49, nursing mother had no significant effects on cytokine expression. Breed effects were observed; Meishan piglets had lower relative abundances of Prevotella and lower gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) than those of Yorkshire piglets at days 14 and 49. Collectively, nursing mother mainly affected preweaning colonic microbiota and immune status, while breed effects persisted after weaning. Piglets nursed by Meishan sows had different microbiota compositions and inflammatory cytokine profiles in the colon compared with those of piglets nursed by Yorkshire sows. These results highlight the different role of nursing mother and breed in affecting early gut microenvironment.IMPORTANCE Early-life gut microbiota and immune status are pivotal for postnatal growth. By using an interspecific cross-fostering piglet model, we find that change in nursing mother transiently reshapes preweaning colon microbiota and immune status, while breed shows persistent effects both pre- and postweaning. Piglets nursed by Meishan sows had lower Streptococcus suis counts and higher anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. These results highlight the significance of nursing mother in regulating early-life gut health.
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Huting AMS, Sakkas P, Kyriazakis I. Sows in mid parity are best foster mothers for the pre- and post-weaning performance of both light and heavy piglets1. J Anim Sci 2019; 97:1656-1670. [PMID: 30753520 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skz062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
To improve the performance of lightweight piglets during suckling, producers are advised to create uniform litters using young sows. However, fostering piglets to primiparous sows may confer penalties due to their lower milk yield and milk immunoglobulin concentrations compared with multiparous sows. The objective was to determine the effect of foster sow parity (primiparous (F), second (S), and mid parity (M: parity 3 to 5)) on the performance from birth to day 68 of piglets born light (L: ≤1.25 kg) or heavy (H: 1.50-2.00 kg) and on creep feed consumption. Piglets (n = 507) considered L or H were cross-fostered, creating litters of 13 similar-sized piglets/litter and were randomly fostered to one of the foster parities. All litters were offered creep feed with a green dye to discern between consumers and nonconsumers, and the medication administered was recorded. Medication administrated pre- and postweaning did not differ (P > 0.05) across the different experimental groups. A significantly (P ≤ 0.025) lower number of H piglets were removed as a result of preweaning weight loss from F and S, rather than M litters. The interaction between birth weight and foster parity only affected piglet BW at day 10 (P = 0.020); foster parity did not influence BW of L piglets, but influenced that of H piglets. H piglets in F and M litters (3.82 and 3.80 kg) were significantly lighter (P ≤ 0.013) than H piglets in S litters (4.15 kg). As expected, L piglets performed worse pre- and postweaning than H piglets; they were 4.50 kg lighter at day 68. Foster parity significantly affected BW: F piglets were weaned lighter (P = 0.004) than S and M piglets (7.52 vs. 8.02 kg). Postweaning (day 68) however, F piglets achieved similar BW as S piglets (29.7 vs. 29.9 kg), whereas M piglets performed best (31.2 kg, P ≤ 0.079). Significantly fewer (almost none) of the L than the H piglets consumed creep feed (P < 0.001); significantly (P = 0.007) more F and M piglets were considered consumers than S piglets. The results suggest that irrespectively of birth weight, piglets tend to perform better when in M litters, being weaned heavy and having a high creep feed intake; however, more piglets are removed from such litters preweaning. Although S litters were weaned heavy, they were unable to maintain this BW advantage postweaning, due to their low creep feed intake and F litters remained small throughout. Long-term performance monitoring to slaughter is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M S Huting
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Panagiotis Sakkas
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | - Ilias Kyriazakis
- Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
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Huting AMS, Sakkas P, Wellock I, Almond K, Kyriazakis I. Once small always small? To what extent morphometric characteristics and post-weaning starter regime affect pig lifetime growth performance. Porcine Health Manag 2018; 4:21. [PMID: 30062042 PMCID: PMC6055348 DOI: 10.1186/s40813-018-0098-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to determine the effect of piglet morphometric characteristics and starter regime on postnatal growth. Some piglets born light are able to grow faster than others, and identifying which piglets are more at risk to remain light and at which stages of growth is essential. A nutrient enriched starter regime may allow lightweight pigs to improve their post-weaning growth. A total 1487 newly born piglets from 137 litters originating from 8 consecutive farrowing batches were followed from birth (BiW) to weaning (WW, d28) and finishing (d99). At birth morphometric measurements were taken, including body mass index (BMI), ponderal index (PI) and BiW:cranial circumferences (BiW:CC). At weaning pigs were randomly allocated to one of two experimental regimes: either a nutrient enriched regime with a 20% higher essential amino acids (EAA): energy ratio (HIGH) or a standard regime (CTRL). Piglets were retrospectively allocated to 4 different weight classes (C) using percentiles at birth, weaning and finishing, with C1 representing the lightest and C4 the heaviest class. A series of novel statistical models were used to determine which factors were able to predict performance. Results For BiW C1 piglets, BMI (P = 0.003) and BiW relative to birth litter (P = 0.026) were positively associated with pre-weaning performance, whereas BiW:CC (P = 0.011) and WW (P = 0.001) were positively associated with post-weaning growth. Post-weaning the best predictors of piglets weaned light (WW C1) were PI (P = 0.037), BiW:CC (P < 0.001) and WW (P < 0.001). Starter regime did not influence (P > 0.05) post-weaning performance. Conclusion Our results show that not all light pigs are the same and that their performance is under the influence of body shape rather than BiW. Therefore, pig producers should discriminate between light pigs based on birth characteristics to improve the effectiveness of intervention strategies at the different stages of growth. Irrespective of weight class piglets did not benefit from the EAA enriched regime applied. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40813-018-0098-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M S Huting
- 1Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - P Sakkas
- 1Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
| | - I Wellock
- Primary Diets, ABAgri, Melmerby, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5HP UK
| | - K Almond
- Primary Diets, ABAgri, Melmerby, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 5HP UK
| | - I Kyriazakis
- 1Agriculture, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RU UK
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López-Vergé S, Gasa J, Farré M, Coma J, Bonet J, Solà-Oriol D. Potential risk factors related to pig body weight variability from birth to slaughter in commercial conditions. Transl Anim Sci 2018; 2:383-395. [PMID: 32704721 PMCID: PMC7200415 DOI: 10.1093/tas/txy082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this observational study is to identify risk factors associated with body weight (BW) variability in three data sets (DS) in commercial conditions. A total of 1,009 (DS1), 460 (DS2), and 1304 (DS3) male and female crossbreed pigs (Pietrain × [Landrace × Large White]), respectively, were included in each trial. Pigs were periodically weighed until slaughter. Then, variables such as length of gestation, length of lactation, parity, litter size, sex, birth BW, and ADG were considered. Pigs remaining on the farm after two loads to the slaughterhouse were defined as last group of animals sent to slaughterhouse (LGS). Descriptive statistics of variability were calculated, and a risk analysis approach was used to look for the factors related to LGS. A multiple logistic regression was performed to identify all variables that were significant (P < 0.05). The risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), and population attributable risk (PAR) were calculated for all of the significant variables after transforming all of them into binary factors using the 25th percentile as the cut-off point. Results showed that the major part of the variability (as CV) comes from birth (20% to 25%) and increased only a little during lactation and 14-d post weaning. From this point onwards, CV tended to decrease, as pigs got closer to the marketing weight (down 11.5% to 12.7%). Regarding the indicators selected, RR, OR, and PAR presented similar trends in the three DS studied. Therefore, for the variables finally included, these indicators had their minimum values at the start of the cycle and then gradually increased at the end. Those results, based on an epidemiological approach, suggest that the closer to the end of the cycle the greater the probability for a light piglet of being/becoming LGS. It might be explained by the shorter available time to efficiently implement preventive measures aimed to improve the performance of delayed pigs and, thus, reducing variability.Those results, based on an epidemiological approach, make sense as the probability for a light piglet to be a LGS increases the closer to the end of the cycle, due to the short time to implement preventive measures and increase the performance of delayed pigs and reduce variability. The differential PAR associated with both, the nursery and the growing period, was 1.7% and 1.5% for DS1, 5.1% and 3.1% for DS2, and 3.7% and 2.8% for DS3. For the lactation period, the results were 4.3% for DS2 and 4.5% for DS3. Results suggest that the most critical periods, in relation to retardation of growth in swine, are lactation and nursery. Implementing measures that maintain risk factors under or above thresholds, especially in the initial phases of growth, will reduce the percentage of LGS pigs and positively affect the overall homogeneity of the batch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergi López-Vergé
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Josep Gasa
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Mercè Farré
- Department of Mathematics, Area of Statistics and Operations Research, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | | | | | - David Solà-Oriol
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Animal Nutrition and Welfare Service, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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Alexopoulos JG, Lines DS, Hallett S, Plush KJ. A Review of Success Factors for Piglet Fostering in Lactation. Animals (Basel) 2018. [PMID: 29522470 PMCID: PMC5867526 DOI: 10.3390/ani8030038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary An understanding of behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for piglet survival and growth will assist in developing the best recommendations in which to manage piglet movements in the farrowing house. This review has identified six key principles that should underpin successful piglet fostering. These fostering principles will improve productivity and welfare of sows and piglets in commercial pig production. Abstract Piglet movement from one sow to another, or fostering, is required in modern pig farming but there is little available literature on the most effective strategy. In this review, we focus on the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for piglet survival and growth, and have identified six key principles. (1) Colostrum provides piglets with warmth, energy and immunity. It is most accessible during the first 12 h from the birth sow, therefore no piglet should be moved before this; (2) To ensure even intake of birth sow colostrum, techniques such as split suckling prior to piglet movement should be implemented; (3) Udder assessment for functional teats should occur at farrowing, with number of fostered piglets not exceeding teat number; (4) Primiparous sows should receive as many piglets as the udder allows to maximise mammary stimulation, although older parities should be assessed for rearing ability; (5) Piglet fostering should occur between 12 and 24 h and movement kept to a minimum to prevent transfer of disease; Litter outliers should be moved and relocated to a litter of similar size; (6) Piglet movement after 24 h should be minimised. When required, strategies such as nurse usage should be employed. These principles will result in improved farrowing house performance by increasing the litter weight weaned per sow.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David S Lines
- SunPork Farms, PO Box 92, Wasleys 5400, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Suzanne Hallett
- SunPork Farms, PO Box 92, Wasleys 5400, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Kate J Plush
- SunPork Farms, PO Box 92, Wasleys 5400, South Australia, Australia.
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