Relationship of vitality and weight with the temperature of newborn piglets born to sows of different parity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between birth weight and vitality with the thermographic temperatures in piglets born to different parity sows. The study involved 1260 piglets born to 90 sows (Yorkshire-Landrace × Large-White) classified based on parity as primiparous (n = 30), 2nd–5th parity (n = 30), and 6th–7th parity (n = 30). The vitality of piglets was determined using a numerical score based on respiratory latency, heartbeats, skin color, latency to stand up, and meconium staining of the skin. Temperatures were taken at birth (T1), drying (T2), initial ingestion of colostrum (T3) and 24 hr after birth (T4). The piglets were weighed immediately after being removed from the sow for skin drying. Piglets with low vitality born to primiparous sows had lower birth weights (P < 0.05). The piglets born to 2nd–5th parity sows and exhibited low or medium vitality had a lower temperature at T1(1 °C) and T2 (2 °C) compared to the high vitality groups (P < 0.05). The piglets born to 6–7th parity sows and exhibited high vitality increased the temperature by 1.5 °C at T4 compared to those of the low and medium vitality groups. It was concluded that independently of parity, piglets with low birth weights and low vitality scores at birth are unable to increase ocular temperature even after ingesting colostrum.