289 Serum Trace Minerals in Late Gestation Sows at Variable Risk for Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Abstract

Abstract Within the last decade, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) resulting in sow mortality has become an increasing concern for the U.S. swine industry, contributing approximately 21% of all sow deaths. While little is known regarding the etiology preceding POP in sows, many have proposed an association with vitamin and trace minerals abundance to POP incidence. We tested the hypothesis that sows differing in POP risk would have differences in serum trace minerals and vitamins. A perineal scoring (PS) system (PS1 - presumed low risk; PS2 - presumed moderate risk; and PS3 - presumed high risk) to assess risk for POP during late gestation was used to score 213 individual sows. Blood was collected from sows of two different farms during late gestation (days 105–115) that scored a PS3 (n = 20) and a parity matched sow scored as PS 1 (n = 16). Subsequently, 1.5, 0.8, and 23.1% of sows scored as PS1, PS2, or PS3, respectively, experienced POP. Serum was analyzed at the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab for trace mineral content (Calcium, Copper, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Phosphorus, Selenium, and Zinc). Additionally, vitamin E was evaluated in serum via GC-MS. Differences (P < 0.05) in copper, potassium, molybdenum, phosphorus, and selenium was observed between farms. Further a PS x Farm interaction (P = 0.06) was observed for serum copper abundance which across all farms was 12% less (P < 0.04) in PS3 compared to PS1 sows. No impact on serum vitamin E was observed between PS sows. These data demonstrate sows with greater POP risk may have potential differences in serum factors although these data also underscore the importance of measuring vitamin and mineral quantities in a tissue specific manner. This project was supported by the National Pork Board and the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research.