Abstract
Genetic trends in maternal abilities were studied in French Large White sows. Two lines representing old-type and modern-type pigs were obtained by inseminating modern sows with semen from boars born in 1977 or 1998. Successive generations were produced by inter-se mating. The maternal performance of sows from the second generation was compared in farrowing crates. Video analysis was performed for the 1st h after the onset of 43 and 36 farrowing events, and for the 6 first hours for 23 and 21 events, in old-type and modern-type sows, respectively. Genetic trends were estimated as twice the difference in estimates between the 2 lines. The contribution of behavior to the probability of stillbirth and piglet death in the first 2 days was estimated as the percentage of deviance reduction (DR) due to the addition of behavior traits as factors in the mortality model. Sow activity decreased strongly from the 1st to the 2nd h in both lines (P < 0.001). In the first 6 h, old-type sows sat (1st parity), stood (2nd parity) and rooted (both parities) for longer than modern-type sows, which were less active, especially in 2nd parity. In modern-type sows, stillbirth was associated positively with lying laterally in the first 6 h (4.6% DR) and negatively in the 1st h (9.1% DR). First-parity old-type sows were more attentive to piglets (P = 0.003) than modern-type sows which responded more to nose contacts at 2nd parity (P = 0.01). Maternal reactivity of modern-type sows was associated with a higher risk of piglet death (4.6% DR). Respiratory distress at birth tended to be higher in modern-type piglets than in old-type piglets (P < 0.10) and was associated with a higher risk of piglet death in both lines (2.7–3.1% DR). Mobility at birth was lower in modern-type than old-type piglets (P < 0.0001). Genetic trends show that sow and piglet behaviors at farrowing have changed. Our results indicate reduced welfare in parturient modern-type sows and their newborn piglets.
Highlights
Productive lean sows are affected by undesirable correlated effects of genetic selection, including modifications of behavior that affect both their own welfare as well as that of their progeny (Rauw et al, 1998; Rauw, 2007; Canario et al, 2013)
FARROWING PROCESS AND PIGLET MORTALITY The distribution for time of onset of farrowing in old-type and modern-type sows is shown on Figure 2
Even though modern-type piglets were heavier at birth (+260 g on average compared with old-type piglets), we found no distinct trend in farrowing kinetics between old-type and modern-type first-parity sows and a non-significant average increase of 0.8 h of farrowing in second-parity sows with a risk of stillbirth that increased strongly with the time elapsed from the onset of farrowing in modern-type piglets (Canario et al, 2007a)
Summary
Productive lean sows are affected by undesirable correlated effects of genetic selection, including modifications of behavior that affect both their own welfare as well as that of their progeny (Rauw et al, 1998; Rauw, 2007; Canario et al, 2013). Sows face acute stressors when they endure a sudden change in their environment, such as the critical period of farrowing, especially in primiparous females. Thodberg (2001) suggested that good sow maternal behavior involved limited activity in the peripartum period, but that farrowing should be preceded by a period of nest-building activity (e.g., Thodberg et al, 1999; Damm et al, 2005). At farrowing, such activity can continue lying laterally and changing posture only infrequently is preferable to reduce the risks of stillbirth and crushing new-born piglets. The development of proper motherprogeny bonding requires postural changes so that the sow can interact with the piglets (Jarvis et al, 1999; Pedersen et al, 2003)
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