Abstract
Simple SummaryWithin intensive livestock industries, it is important to pursue the continual improvement of animal welfare. The farrowing crate design in most piggeries is currently the best way to optimize piglet welfare and reduce piglet mortality caused by being crushed by the sow. However, some studies have shown that restriction in a farrowing crate exacerbates sow distress at specific times during farrowing at lactation, which may compromise piglet survival. Therefore, there is a need to investigate strategies that may alleviate the stress experienced by the sow due to being confined. A synthetic olfactory agonist, a commercial product that mimics naturally occurring pheromones, previously reduced aggressive interactions in sows. Therefore, this product was investigated to determine its effectiveness at reducing sow stress and improving piglet survival during birth and lactation. We found no effect on the sow’s stress hormone levels between treatments in response to a stressor. However, first-litter sows experienced a decreased farrowing duration, but this did not extend to improvements in piglet pre-weaning survival. This synthetic olfactory agonist does not appear to be a suitable tool to reduce sow distress around birth or improve piglet pre-weaning survival.The aim of the study was to investigate if the application of a synthetic olfactory agonist (SOA) would reduce indicators of stress in sows, in response to a stressor prior to parturition, and if it would improve farrowing house performance of sows and their piglets. Two studies were conducted: an intensive study with 47 sows, either having their first or second litter (Control n = 24; SOA n = 23); and a commercial validation study with 418 sows, either having their first litter or have had multiple litters (Control n = 210; SOA n = 208). Within the intensive study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended in the creep area of the farrowing crate, whereas within the commercial validation study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended over the adjoining creep area of two farrowing crates. Within the intensive study, despite a discernible increase in cortisol concentration in response to a stressor (snout rope test), cortisol response was not different between treatments (p > 0.05). Farrowing duration in first-litter sows exposed to the SOA was decreased (p < 0.001) whilst there was no impact on farrowing duration in second litter sows. Piglets were not attracted by the SOA to increase their utilisation of the creep area and spent more time in proximity to the sow (p < 0.05). Within the commercial validation study, no impacts were seen on piglet production measures (p > 0.05). Largely the use of an SOA within the farrowing house did not impact the sow or her piglets in either the intensive study or commercial validation study. Based on these current results, the use of SOA within the farrowing house is not supported.
Highlights
Sows are housed in farrowing crates to restrict movement to reduce piglet mortality, as the primary cause of piglet death within the first few days of life is attributed to crushing by the sow [1,2]
The cortisol response to the snout response was unaffected by treatment (p = 0.612), with sows in both treatments experiencing a significant increase in cortisol in response to the snout rope test (Figure 2)
The farrowing duration was reduced for first lactation sows who were exposed to the synthetic olfactory agonist (SOA) treatment compared to the Control (2.1 ± 0.08 and 2.6 ± 0.08, respectively, p < 0.001)
Summary
Sows are housed in farrowing crates to restrict movement to reduce piglet mortality, as the primary cause of piglet death within the first few days of life is attributed to crushing by the sow [1,2]. The farrowing crate design restricts natural nesting behaviours and as such, has the potential to cause physiological stress [3,4,5]. Comparing sows in farrowing crates with those able to move around with nesting material, cortisol levels were higher in crated sows prior to farrowing and the duration of farrowing was longer in crated sows [6]. Jarvis et al [9] reported higher levels of cortisol during the pre-farrowing period in crated sows compared with sows able to move freely. There is a need to investigate strategies to prevent the elevation of cortisol levels beyond those involved in the parturition process
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call