Risk factors for intrapartum stillbirth in piglets born from cloprostenol-induced farrowing sows

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study aimed at examining the association between different risk factors and intrapartum stillbirth in piglets born from cloprostenol-induced farrowing sows. This study enrolled 898 piglets born within 77 Landrace x Yorkshire sows subjected to farrowing induction using cloprostenol at day 114 of gestation. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to determine important indicators for intrapartum stillbirth at the piglet level. Investigated risk factors included parity, gestation length, litter size, birth order, piglets’ gender, birth interval, cumulative farrowing duration, birth weight, crown-rump length, body mass index, ponderal index, and birth weight deviation. The stillbirth rate was 5.3%. Intrapartum stillbirth accounted for 79.2% of all stillbirths. Body conformation traits (birth weight, birth weight deviation, body mass index, and ponderal index), birth order, and cumulative farrowing duration were important indicators for intrapartum stillbirth. Birth order (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.13–1.37), birth interval (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.01–1.02), birth weight deviation (OR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.69–0.88), and ponderal index (OR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.91–0.99) were selected in the model that best explained the variation of stillbirth (marginal R2 = 0.31, conditional R2 = 0.54). Results of this study highlight the importance of body size and shape, birth order, and birth interval in prediction of the intrapartum stillbirth of piglets born from cloprostenol-induced farrowing sows.