Blood-glucose levels in newborn piglets and the associations between blood-glucose levels, intrauterine growth restriction and pre-weaning mortality

Trude Staarvik,Camilla Kielland,Sunniva Brynjulvsrud Fremgaarden,Mina Heggelund,Tore Framstad

doi:10.1186/s40813-019-0129-6

Trude Staarvik, Camilla Kielland + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s40813-019-0129-6

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Abstract

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the associations between blood-glucose levels in one-day-old-piglets (ODOP), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre-weaning mortality in a commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway.Material and methodsThe study was carried out in a non-crate commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway and 426 live born piglets from 31 litters were included. Piglets were blood-sampled, ear tagged, weighed and measured within 24 h after birth. Litter size, cross fostering and deaths until weaning were recorded. Blood was collected by vein puncture of Vena subcutanea abdominis and blood-glucose levels were measured using a handheld glucometer. Piglets were given an IUGR-score (1–3) based on head-morphology where a score of 3 is defined as an intrauterine growth restricted piglet.ResultsOf the 426 live born piglets, 391 piglets survived until weaning, resulting in 8.22% pre-weaning mortality. Mean piglet weight in ODOP was 1.59 kg (SD = 0.36), and mean blood-glucose level was 5.48 mmol/l (SD = 1.44). IUGR score 3 piglets had lower blood-glucose levels (Coef. = − 1.7 mmol/l, P < .001) than normal piglets (IUGR score 1). Males had significantly higher blood glucose levels (Coef. = 0.23 mmol/l, P = .044) compared to females. There was a trend that blood-glucose levels in individual piglets were lower in large litters with − 0.07 mmol/l per extra piglet born (P = .054). Piglets with blood-glucose levels in the second quartile had reduced risk of pre-weaning mortality (OR = 0.32, P = .046) compared to piglets with blood-glucose levels in the lower quartile. This is also true for piglets in the third and fourth quartile (OR = 0.13, P = 0.004).ConclusionThis study identified IUGR to be associated with low blood-glucose levels in ODOP. It also found increased pre-weaning mortality in ODOP with low blood-glucose. By identifying IUGR piglets by the shape of their head, piglet producers may reduce pre-weaning mortality by making sure these piglets get enough colostrum, milk or supplement feeding (i.e. energy).

Highlights

The intensification of husbandry leads to more effective animal production
This study identified intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) to be associated with low blood-glucose levels in ODOP
Of piglets born into litters with more than 15 piglets (N = 257 piglets) 8.95% were IUGR-piglets, whereas only 2.4% born into a litter with 15 piglets or less (N = 169 piglets) were IUGR piglets. 35.9% of live-born piglets (N = 153 piglets) were cross-fostered and mean litter size after cross fostering was 14.5 piglets (SD = 1.6)

Summary

Introduction

The intensification of husbandry leads to more effective animal production. This has resulted in hyper-prolific sows with large litter sizes and an increase in piglets weaned per sow. Even though there has been a continuing aim to reduce the pre-weaning mortality, piglet mortality is still a huge, multifactorial welfare problem all over Europe [1]. Reducing piglet mortality will increase the welfare of the piglets and be of economic benefit for the farmer. The two main causes of piglet mortality are trauma and starvation [2,3,4]. According to a review by Muns et al most piglets die during the first 72 h after birth [2], resulting in the most critical period in a piglet’s life

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