Abstract
The objective of this work was to determine physiological stress markers, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (N/L) and corticoid concentrations, in gestating sows under different cooling systems. A sprinkling cooling system (SS) and a system based on fan-assisted evaporative cellulose pad (PS) were used. SS showed higher N/L ratio (1.095) than PS (0.850). Corticoid concentrations showed high variability. Corticosteroids are more efficient short-term stress indicators while N/L ratio is a good medium and long-term stress indicator. According to N/L ratio, gestating sows under PS benefit from a higher level of welfare.
Highlights
Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os marcadores fisiológicos de estresse, a razão entre neutrófilos e linfócitos (N/L) e as concentrações de corticoides em porcas gestantes submetidas a diferentes sistemas de refrigeração
Several stress markers were measured in pregnant sows accommodated in thermoregulated housing systems using two usual cooling systems: sprinkling and fan‐assisted evaporative pads
Urine was sampled before the blood to avoid the stress caused by blood sampling, because acute stress responses modifies the corticoid concentration quickly (Mormède et al, 2007), but not the neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio
Summary
Resumo – O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar os marcadores fisiológicos de estresse, a razão entre neutrófilos e linfócitos (N/L) e as concentrações de corticoides em porcas gestantes submetidas a diferentes sistemas de refrigeração. Abstract – The objective of this work was to determine physiological stress markers, neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio (N/L) and corticoid concentrations, in gestating sows under different cooling systems. According to N/L ratio, gestating sows under PS benefit from a higher level of welfare.
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