Abstract
Eighty barrows were used in two experiments to determine the relationship between feed intake or dietary energy concentration and mean body surface temperature (MBST) and mean body surface radiant heat loss (MBSL) as measured using infrared thermographic images. In Exp. 1, feed intake level was varied. As expected, pigs with higher feed intake grew faster. The faster growing pigs had higher MBST and MBSL. In Exp. 2, pigs (initially 130 lb) were allotted to one of four dietary energy levels (1,250 ME/lb, 1,360 ME/lb, 1,475 ME/lb, 1,590 ME/lb). Increasing dietary ME levels increased ADG, G/F, ME intake, MBST, and MBSL. These experiments indicate that infrared thermography can detect MBST and MBSL changes in growing pigs caused by changes in dietary intake or energy level.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 2000
Highlights
Recent research has indicated that infrared thermography can reliably identify pigs exhibiting a febrile condition following Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection
Eighty barrows were used in two experiments to determine the relationship between feed intake or dietary energy concentration and mean body surface temperature (MBST) and mean body surface radiant heat loss (MBSL) as measured using infrared thermographic images
Increasing dietary ME levels increased ADG, G/F, ME intake, MBST, and MBSL. These experiments indicate that infrared thermography can detect MBST and MBSL changes in growing pigs caused by changes in dietary intake or energy level.; Swine Day, Manhattan, KS, November 16, 2000
Summary
Recent research has indicated that infrared thermography can reliably identify pigs exhibiting a febrile condition following Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection. Because adaptive responses to disease or stress typically involve feed intake reductions, it is unknown if the elevated MBST associated with the febrile condition would mask the relative reduction in MBST associated with this feed intake reduction when compared to healthy pigs with full feed consumption. Different growth rates, changes in feed intake, and dietary nutrient content affect metabolic heat production in healthy pigs. Because of these differences, it may be possible to detect associated differences in MBST and MBSL and relate them to growth performance. Our objective was to measure the changes in MBST and MBSL associated with growth performance in healthy pigs subjected to changes in feed intake or dietary nutrient profile
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