Pregnant Sows Research Articles

Aspectos físico-químicos e sedimentoscopia da urina de matrizes suínas na fase de gestação criadas em sistema intensivo

The impact of pig farming on the worldwide economy causes production to be directed at an industrial scale, requiring the control of diseases that affect economic performance. Urinary infection (UI), for example, has a high prevalence in current production systems, causing economic losses due to the predisposition to reproductive failures, leading to an increase in disposal of sows and replacement rates. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) and possible changes in the urine sediment examination of pregnant sows to survey changes compatible with inflammation of the lower urinary tract. The samples were collected, randomly, from 43 sows of commercial genetic lineage, in different stages of gestation, and that belonged to a pig farm located in Guapimirim-RJ. The pig farm’s herd consisted of 200 sows, 90 of which were in the gestation phase. The samples were collected by spontaneous urination, using the first morning urine, before feeding, which happened around 7 am. The presence of UTI was identified in 12 of the 43 sows analyzed, with 21.5% of the herd being evaluated. A prevalence of 27.9% was observed with animals showing compatible UTI changes. This data was considered severe. The urine sediment examination is the best way to diagnose UTI with sedimentcopy being the most conclusive part. Despite this, it is necessary to relate the laboratory data with the zootechnical management used, as well as the environmental conditions.

Discovery of traditional Chinese medicines against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious disease caused by the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). It is characterized by reproductive disorders in pregnant sows and respiratory symptoms in pigs of all ages. Although antiviral drugs, vaccines, and improved management have played a role in the prevention and control of the PRRS, this disease is still prevalent in pig farms. Hence, the prevention, control, and purification of the PRRS have been the main focus. As we all know, traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have played a significant role in the history of ancient medicine. Therefore, exploring effective anti-PRRSV TCMs is an essential way to solve the prevention and treatment of PRRSV. In this study, the active sites of the fifth scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domain of the CD163 receptor was first studied by computer-aided drug design technology. Second, virtual screening of TCMs monomers that may bind to active site was conducted. Third, the crude extracts of TCMs rich in the matching monomer were obtained. Finally, the anti-PRRSV effect of crude extracts of TCMs were verified in vitro. To sum up, it was found that Plantago ovata, Rhus chinensis, and Persicaria orientalis had anti-PRRSV effects in vitro, which laid a theoretical foundation for the research and development of anti-PRRSV TCMs. In addition, this exploration strategy could provide a research template for the discovery of TCMs for human viral diseases.

Inulin and isomalto-oligosaccharide alleviate constipation and improve reproductive performance by modulating motility-related hormones, short-chain fatty acids, and feces microflora in pregnant sows.

Constipation in gestating and lactating sows is common and the inclusion of dietary fiber may help to alleviate this problem. We investigated the effects of inulin (INU) and isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO), two sources of soluble dietary fiber, on gastrointestinal motility-related hormones, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), fecal microflora, and reproductive performance in pregnant sows. On day 64 of gestation, 30 sows were randomly divided into three groups and fed as follows: a basal diet, a basal diet with 0.5% INU, and a basal diet with 0.5% IMO. We found that INU and IMO significantly modulated the levels of gastrointestinal motility-related hormones, as evidenced by an increase in substance P (P < 0.05), and a decrease in the vasoactive intestinal peptide concentrations (P < 0.05), indicating the capacity of INU and IMO to alleviate constipation. Furthermore, IMO enhanced the concentrations of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric acids in the feces (P < 0.05). High-throughput sequencing showed that IMO and INU increased the fecal microflora α- and β-diversity (P < 0.05). Methanobrevibacter was more abundant (P < 0.05), whereas the richness of Turicibacter was lower in the INU and IMO groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, IMO significantly increased litter size (P < 0.05). Overall, our findings indicate that INU and IMO can relieve constipation, optimize intestinal flora, and promote reproductive performance in pregnant sows.

Social Status Differentially Affects Behavioral and Immunological Outcomes of Group-Kept Sows Fed Different Dietary Fiber Using Different Length Feeding Barriers

Social conflict is inevitable among group-housed sows and may contribute to poorer welfare among those sows experiencing more social stress. The degree of individual welfare is associated with social position within the group. Therefore, this study examined the effects of social status on behavior, immune, endocrine, and productivity of group-housed pregnant sows fed a diet supplemented with 30% wheat middlings and 15% soybean hulls (MID-SH) or 30% distillers dried grains with solubles and 30% corn germ meal (DDGS-GM) and in pens with individual feeding places made from short (58.4 cm) or long (203.2 cm) barriers. A 2 × 2 factorial design resulted in 4 experimental treatment groups (n= 9 sows/diet-length-block combination): (1) MID-SHshort; (2) MID-SHlong; (3) DDGS-GMshort; (4) DDGS-GMlong. Groups of sows equally representing all diet-length combinations across 4 blocks (n= 36 sows/block) were subjected to a feeding competition test to identify highest (dominant) and lowest (subordinate) ranked sows within each group resulting in 64 sows (n= 16 sows/treatment;n= 32 sows/social status). Data revealed 2- and 3-way interactive effects on aggressive behavior (P&amp;lt; 0.005), postural (P&amp;lt; 0.01), oral (P&amp;lt; 0.0001), and eating (P&amp;lt; 0.005) behaviors, sow mean body weights and gains (P&amp;lt; 0.05) and litter weaning weights (P&amp;lt; 0.05), especially among subordinates in pens with long barriers. Subordinates in pens with long barriers received 21% less aggression and were 73% less likely to be displaced than subordinates in pens with short ones (P&amp;lt; 0.0001). Dietary treatment also influenced some of these measures among the subordinates in pens with long barriers. For example, subordinates in DDGS-GMlongreceived 64 and 67% less aggression than subordinates in DDGS-GMshortand MID-SHshort(P&amp;lt; 0.005). Eat bouts were greatest among subordinates in MID-SHlong, and sitting and sham-chewing were less. However, those in DDGS-GMlongspent less time standing and laying, and their litters were 15.28 kg heavier (P= 0.01), but overall subordinates fed DDGS-GM diet were lightest and gained less total body weight than those fed MID-SH (P&amp;lt; 0.05). Other measures such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio were elevated among dominants in MID-SHlong(P&amp;lt; 0.05); whereas, cortisol (P= 0.06) was lowest and glucose (P= 0.09) highest for subordinates in DDGS-GMlong.These data imply that subordinates benefited from being housed in pens with long barriers, but the type of dietary fiber consumed differentially influenced behavioral budget and several sow- or litter-related traits among subordinates in pens with long barriers. In contrast, the subordinates in pens with short barriers had poorer welfare regardless of diet. Collectively, these data imply that social status is a crucial factor contributing to variation in individual well-being among group-housed sows and that sows of different social positions within a group may evoke different biological responses in an attempt to cope.

Our Pigs, Ourselves

Our Pigs, Ourselves

Efficacy of Needle-Less Intradermal Vaccination against Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.

To prevent diarrhea in suckling piglets infected by porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) vaccines are administered mainly through intramuscular (IM) or oral routes. We found that growing pigs vaccinated with an inactivated PEDV vaccine via the intradermal (ID) route had higher neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-10) levels than non-vaccinated pigs. In addition, suckling piglets acquired lactogenic immunity from pregnant sows inoculated with an ID PED vaccine. We evaluated the efficacy of vaccination via this route, along with subsequent protection against virulent PEDV. At six days post-challenge, the survival rate of suckling piglets exposed to virulent PEDV was 70% for the ID group and 0% for the mock group (no vaccine). At necropsy, villi length in the duodenum and ileum of piglets with lactogenic immunity provided by ID-vaccinated sows proved to be significant (p < 0.05) when compared with those in piglets from mock group sows. Thus, vaccination using an inactivated PED vaccine via the ID route provides partial protection against infection by virulent PEDV.

High fiber diet reduces stereotypic behavior of gilts but does not affect offspring performance

Pregnant sows are often subjected to food restriction, which can compromise their welfare and performance, as well as the performance of their offspring. High fiber diets (HFD) can mitigate the feeling of hunger and, consequently, improve welfare and performance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of feeding pregnant gilts with high a fiber diet on performance measures of sows. Additionally, the behavior and welfare of the sows were assessed. Twenty-eight pregnant gilts were fed either HFD (N = 16) or low fiber diet (LFD; N = 12). We evaluated behavior, salivary cortisol concentration, performance, and feeding motivation. We found an interaction between treatment and feeding time for duration (P = 0.0041) and frequency (P = 0.0128) of sham-chewing stereotypy. Sows that received LFD performed the behavior for longer and more often before feeding than after feeding. These results indicate that HFD was beneficial in reducing stereotypic behavior in sows, prior to feeding time, but did not improve performance measures.

Starch supplementation improves the reproductive performance of sows in different glucose tolerance status.

This study was to evaluate the effects of glucose tolerance status, maternal starch supplementation and soybean substitution in diets on the performance of dams and their offspring. Eighty-eight pregnant sows (Landrace × Large White) were selected from an initial total of 120 sows, based on blood glucose test values, and assigned to 4 experimental treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The factors were glucose tolerance status (glucose intolerant [GIT] vs. normal glucose tolerant [NGT]) or dietary treatments (corn starch diet [CS] vs. soybean substitution diet [SS]). A higher area under the curve (AUC) for post-meal glucose was observed (P < 0.05) in the GIT group than in the NGT group on d 109 of gestation. The CS group had a lower value of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance than the SS group (P < 0.05) on d 109 of gestation. Corn starch supplementation for sows decreased the stillbirth rate (P < 0.05), regardless of the sows' glucose tolerance status. The villus height of the jejunum and the villus height to crypt depth ratio of the ileum were greater in normal birth weight piglets from the CS group than from the SS group (P < 0.01), and so was the activity of sucrase in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01). Compared with the SS group, the CS group showed a reduction in pre-weaning mortality rate, an increase in the number of high-birth-weight piglets, and a decrease in the number of low-birth-weight piglets (P < 0.05) under GIT status. In conclusion, sows fed CS decreased stillbirth rate and improved insulin resistance, as well as improving the intestinal morphology and digestive enzyme activities of their progeny, regardless of glucose tolerance status. Additionally, the CS group improved birth weight distribution and decreased pre-weaning mortality rate of piglets under GIT status.

Immunization against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and vaccine development

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is a major disease of pigs that inflicts heavy losses on the global pig industry. The etiologic agent is the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), which is assigned to the genus Alphacoronavirus in the family Coronaviridae. This review consists of five parts, the first of which provides a brief introduction to PEDV and its epidemiology. Part two outlines the passive immunity in new born piglets and the important role of colostrum, while the third part summarizes the characteristics of the immune systems of pregnant sows, discusses the concept of the "gut-mammary gland-secretory IgA(sIgA) axis" and the possible underpinning mechanisms, and proposes issues to be addressed when designing a PEDV live vaccine. The final two parts summarizes the advances in the R&D of PEDV vaccines and prospects future perspectives on prevention and control of PEDV, respectively.

Experience in the use of probiotic drug in pig breeding

The results of research on the use of the probiotic drug “Profort” in the diet of young pigs have been presented in the article. The research was carried out under the conditions of LLC “Agrofirma Ariant” on the crossbreds of young pigs. The purpose of the research was to study the eff ectiveness of the effect of the probiotic drug “Profort” in intensive pig rearing on the reproductive traits of sows and the productive traits of piglets. In order to conduct the scientific and economic experiment at the first stage, 2 groups of pregnant sows were formed in each with 10 heads. The feeding and housing of the experimental animals were the same. In addition to the main diet the sows of the experimental group were fed the probiotic additive “Profort” at the dose of 500 g/t of feed for 30 days before and 30 days after farrowing. At the second stage the resulting young animals were divided into 3 groups. In addition to the main diet the young animals of the 1st experimental group have been received the probiotic drug “Profort” from 7 to 105 days together with compound feed. Piglets of the 2nd experimental group have been received the probiotic additive from 7 to 30 days. It has been found during of studies that as a result of the use of probiotic additive the prolificacy of sows in the experimental group was higher – 10,6 compared to 10,4 heads in the control group. The livability of piglets for weaning in the experimental group was 97,9 % compared to 93,9 % in the control group. The absolute gain in live weight of piglets from 30 to 105 days in the experimental groups was 34,94–36,98 kg, which was higher than in the control group by 7,9–14,2 %. In the blood of piglets of the experimental groups, the increase in the level of red blood cells, total protein, calcium and phosphorus has been noted.

Dietary Inulin Regulated Gut Microbiota and Improved Neonatal Health in a Pregnant Sow Model

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between maternal dietary fiber intake and piglet health. Multiparous sows were randomly assigned to two groups and fed diets without inulin (control group, n = 20) or 1.6% inulin (1.6IN group, n = 20). The results indicate that 1.6IN prevented the prolonged farrowing duration of sows (P < 0.05) and shortened the average piglet birth interval (P < 0.1). In addition, 1.6IN decreased the percentage of the piglet born weak and the percentage of the piglet with hyperthermia after birth (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the 1.6IN group had a lower concentration of urea nitrogen in the colostrum, and also prevented diarrhea, increased litter gain, survival rate, and average daily gain for suckling piglets (P < 0.05). Furthermore, 1.6IN decreased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Cyanobacteria, and Streptococcus; increased the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, Desulfovibrio, Paludibacter, CF231, and Prevotella. Overall, this study showed that maternal fiber nutrition during pregnancy regulated the health of offspring, and the response of the maternal intestinal microbes played an important role in intervening in the phenotype of sows and neonatal piglets.

Effect of dam parity on the reproductive performance of Nigeria indigenous sows and progeny survivability rates in Enugu State, South Eastern Nigeria

The effects of parity on the reproductive performance of Nigerian indigenous sow breed, progeny survivability and mortality in a commercial breeding farm in Enugu State Nigeria were investigated in this study. One hundred apparently healthy third trimester pregnant sows were randomly assigned to four treatment groups of twenty five sows per group in a completely randomized design (CRD) according to their reproductive parities as groups I, II, III and IV representing the first (P1), second (P2), third (P3) and fourth (P4) parities respectively. This study lasted for two years. The mean number of piglets born alive (NBA) of P1 (6.00±0.71 Head) and P2 (6.00±0.71 Head) were significantly decreased when compared to P4 (8.50±0.65 Head) but showed no significant difference when compared to P3 (7.50±0.50 Head). Second parity sows recorded the highest number of piglets’ deaths after birth while P1 and P3 litters recorded the lowest deaths after birth. Mean pre-weaning survival of progenies was highest in P3 (91.43±5.09 %) and lowest in P2 (84.38±11.83 %) while mean piglet mortality was highest in P2 (15.63±11.83 %) but lowest in P3 (8.57±5.09 %). It can be concluded from this research work that PIII sows provided adequate requirements necessary for their litter nourishment, growth and survival more than the other parities. Therefore progeny growth performance was best at third parity of reproduction.

Vaginal bacterial diversity from healthy gilts and pregnant sows subjected to natural mating or artificial insemination.

The profitability of commercial pig farms largely depends on the reproductive performance of gilts and sows. The aim of this study was to identify differences in the composition and diversity of vaginal microbiota between gilts (G) and pregnant (P) sows, both artificially inseminated (AI) and natural mating (NM). Samples were collected by scraping the vaginal mucosa of G (n = 10) and P (NM, n = 10 and AI, n = 7) sows. Samples were analysed by culture-dependent techniques and 16S-rRNA gene High-Throughput-Sequencing. The profiles of the cultured microbiota showed two distinctive clusters, one of them grouped four samples of P sows from the AI group. The vaginal microbiota from P had lower richness than G sows (Mann-Whitney/Kruskal-Wallis test, p < 0.01), but all vaginal samples had a similar diversity. The PERMANOVA analyses revealed significant differences (p < 0.01) between the microbial communities' structures from G and P sows. The bacteria phyla with the highest relative abundances were Proteobacteria (33.1%), followed by Firmicutes (32%), Cyanobacteria (13.3%) and Actinobacteria (13.2%). The relative abundance for phyla, families and genera was estimated and Proteobacteria was significantly higher (p = 0.038) in P than in G sows; Firmicutes was significantly lower in AI than G and NM sows. A “core microbiota” included Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas. The results presented highlight the differences in the bacterial composition between G and P sows, as well as the changes in the microbial populations associated with the breeding method.

Administration of All-Trans Retinoic Acid to Pregnant Sows Alters Gut Bacterial Community of Neonatal Piglets With Different Hoxa1 Genotypes.

Administration of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to pregnant sows improves developmental defects of Hoxa1–/– fetal pigs, and this study aimed to explore the influence of maternal ATRA administration during pregnancy on gut microbiota of neonatal piglets. Samples of jejunal and ileal meconium of neonatal piglets before suckling were collected including 5 Hoxa1–/– and 20 non-Hoxa1–/– (Hoxa1+/+ and Hoxa1+/−) neonatal piglets from the control group and 5 Hoxa1–/– and 7 non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets from the experimental group. Results indicated that Hoxa1 mutation shaped the bacterial composition of the jejunum and ileum of neonatal piglets and Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets had significantly higher diversity and species richness, higher relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes, lower relative abundances of phylum Firmicutes and genus Lactobacillus, and lower ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes than non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets. After maternal ATRA administration, Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets had significantly higher diversity and species richness, higher relative abundances of two bacterial phyla (Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria), and lower relative abundances of phylum Firmicutes and genus Lactobacillus in the jejunum than non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets. Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets delivered by sows with maternal ATRA administration had lower diversity and species richness and higher relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes in the jejunum than Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets born by sows with no maternal ATRA administration. Non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets delivered by sows with maternal ATRA administration had higher diversity and species richness and significantly lower relative abundances of phyla Firmicutes and Actinobacteria and genus Lactobacillus in the ileum than non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets born by sows with no maternal ATRA administration. Hoxa1 mutation decreased the expression of bacterial genes involved in ABC transporters, purine metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and increased the expression of bacterial genes involved in two-component system, starch and sucrose metabolism, and arginine and proline metabolism. Maternal ATRA administration decreased the expression of bacterial genes involved in arginine and proline metabolism, peptidoglycan biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis. Hoxa1 mutation resulted in bacterial dysbiosis of the small intestine of Hoaxa1–/– neonatal piglets, and maternal ATRA administration restored the bacterial dysbiosis of Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets and altered the bacterial composition of the small intestine of non-Hoxa1–/– neonatal piglets.

Effect of gestation dietary methionine-to-lysine ratio on methionine metabolism and antioxidant ability of high-prolific sows.

The uptake and metabolism of methionine (Met) are critical for epigenetic regulation, redox homeostasis, and embryo development. Our previous study showed that appropriate supplementation of dietary Met promoted the birth weight and placental angiogenesis of high-prolific sows. To further explore the metabolic effect of Met on pregnant sows, we have evaluated the influence of dietary Met level on Met metabolism, and the relationship between metabolites of Met and reproductive performance, antioxidant ability, and placental angiogenesis throughout the gestation of high-prolific sows. Sixty sows (the 3rd parity, Large White) were randomly divided into 5 groups that were fed diets with standardized ileal digestible (SID) methionine-to-lysine (Met:Lys) ratios of 0.27 (control), 0.32, 0.37, 0.42, and 0.47 from the mating day (gestational d 0, G0d) until the farrowing day. HPLC-MS/MS analysis was used to simultaneously evaluate the metabolites related to Met, e.g. S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), homocysteine (Hcy), cysteine (Cys), and glutathione (GSH). The concentration of SAM and SAH in plasma had significant fluctuations, especially in late pregnancy. Increasing dietary Met supplementation significantly improved the plasma SAM and methylation potential (SAM-to-SAH ratio) at d 114 of pregnancy (G114d). Moreover, a positive association of the plasma SAM concentration at G114d was observed with the litter weight of born alive (P < 0.05; R2 = 0.58). Furthermore, Hcy concentration in plasma was at the lowest level for 0.37 ratio group at G114d. However, it significantly increased during late pregnancy. Moreover, there were negative correlations between plasma Hcy concentration at G114d (P < 0.05) and the placental vascular density in the fold and stroma (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) in the placenta tissue of 0.37 ratio group increased significantly (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings indicate that dietary Met:Lys ratio (0.37 to 0.57) in the pregnant diet dose not influence the antioxidant ability of the high-prolific sows; however, the improvement of fetal development and placental angiogenesis of high-prolific sows by supplementation of Met are closely associated to the key Met-related metabolite of SAM and Hcy, respectively.

Hyper-Aerotolerant Campylobacter coli From Swine May Pose a Potential Threat to Public Health Based on Its Quinolone Resistance, Virulence Potential, and Genetic Relatedness.

Campylobacter, a major foodborne pathogen, is susceptible to oxygen. Recently, aerotolerant Campylobacter with enhanced tolerance to aerobic stress has become a major concern in food safety. However, the aerotolerance of Campylobacter coli from pigs has not been studied extensively. Here, we sought to investigate the prevalence of C. coli across multiple swine groups in farms, including weaning, growing, and fattening pigs in production stages and pregnant sows. Additionally, we analyzed C. coli aerotolerance, quinolone resistance, virulence potential, and multilocus sequence typing (MLST) genotypes. Finally, we compared the characteristics of C. coli according to the aerotolerance levels. In total, we obtained 124 (66.3%) C. coli isolates from 187 swine fecal samples across six swine farms. The pathogen was prevalent in weaning (45.5%), growing (68.3%), and fattening (75.4%) pigs, and pregnant sows (66.7%). Hyper-aerotolerant HAT C. coli (13.7% of 124 isolates) was present in all swine groups, with the highest proportion in the pregnant sows (27.3%). All HAT isolates possessed diverse virulence-related genes such as flaA, cadF, pldA, ceuE, and cdtA. All C. coli isolates were resistant to quinolones, and 12 (10%) presented high-level ciprofloxacin resistance (MIC ≥ 32 μg/mL). The proportion of C. coli isolates with a high-level ciprofloxacin resistance was the highest in HAT C. coli (18.8%). Furthermore, six MLST sequence types (STs) (ST827, ST830, ST854, ST1016, ST1068, and ST1096) of swine-derived C. coli were in common with human-derived C. coli (PubMLST). The proportion of C. coli belonging to such shared STs at each aerotolerance level was the highest in HAT C. coli (HAT vs. oxygen-sensitive; OR = 3.13). In conclusion, quinolone resistance of C. coli may be distributed throughout in all swine groups in farms. HAT C. coli is likely to remain in pig farms and re-infect other pigs in the farms. Furthermore, swine-derived HAT C. coli could be transmitted to humans easily through the food chain owing to its aerotolerance, and it could pose a threat to public health owing to its high-level ciprofloxacin resistance and virulence. This study highlights the need to develop management practices that prevent the transmission of swine-derived HAT C. coli to humans.

Effects of increasing dietary rye levels on physicochemical characteristics of digesta and its impact on stomach emptying as well as the formation of 'doughballs' in stomachs of young pigs.

Despite quite similar contents of starch and crude fibre of wheat and rye, the unique non-starch-polysaccharide fraction of rye (e.g. high levels of arabinoxylans and fructans) might have an impact on physicochemical properties of the digesta in pigs. Forty pigs (age: 46.8±5.28days; bodyweight: 16.1±4.13kg) were divided into four treatment groups. During four weeks, the pigs received diets consisting of wheat and/or rye, barley, soy, potato protein and a mineral supplement. The sum of wheat and rye was 69% in all diets, whereby the compound feed of each group was characterized by a different ratio (%) of wheat/rye (69/0; 46/23; 23/46; 0/69, respectively). In the stomach, 'doughballs' occurred more frequently with increasing dietary rye levels (9/10; 69% rye). With higher DM content and extract-viscosity of gastric digesta, the stomach emptying tended to be retarded in rye groups. Compared to the control group (69% wheat), maximum dietary rye levels (69%) resulted in significantly higher concentrations of lactic acid in digesta of the stomach and small intestine. With increasing lactic acid concentrations, the pH tended to be lower in small intestinal digesta. With an intensified formation of lactic acid, effects against Gram-negative bacteria, for example Salmonella, can be expected. Moreover, because of higher viscosity and the retarded stomach emptying, there could be advantages of including rye in compound feeds when a longer lasting satiety is intended, for example when feeding pregnant sows (regularly fed restrictively).

Effects of cooling systems on physiological responses and intestinal microflora in early gestating sows exposed to high-temperature stress.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of cooling systems on reproductive performance, body temperature, blood metabolites, and the intestinal microbiome in early gestating sows exposed to high ambient temperature. In total, 39 pregnant sows (Landrace × Yorkshire; 2 parities) were randomly assigned to and maintained in the following three treatment groups (13 sows per group) over days 0 to 35 of pregnancy: (i) air cooling (AC; 26.87 ± 1.23°C), (ii) water-drip cooling (WC; 28.81 ± 0.91°C), and (iii) a lack of cooling with heat stress (HS; 30.72 ± 0.70°C). Backfat thickness was measured before and after HS. Feces were collected on day 0 and 35 d of the trial for microbiome analysis, whereas blood was taken at day 35 of pregnancy and analyzed. Reproductive performance and physiological responses were identified at day 35. Respiration rate along with rectal and skin temperatures were lower (p < 0.05) in the AC group than in the HS and WC groups. Serum blood urea nitrogen values were increased (p < 0.05) in the WC group compared with those measured in the AC and HS groups. Triiodothyronine was found at greater levels (p < 0.05) in the AC than in the HS group. Reproductive performance was not affected by the cooling systems. At the phylum level, fecal pathogenic Spirochaete and Euryarchaeota were found in higher numbers (p < 0.05) in all groups after HS. Similarly, at the genus level, the amount of Treponema was greater (p < 0.05) in all groups after HS. In conclusion, our results suggest that AC or WC can ameliorate or mitigate the adverse effects of HS on the physiological parameters of pregnant sows reared under high temperatures.

Influence of feed factors on the dynamics of sow metabolism

The article presents the results of studies on the effect of increased fiber levels in combination with the probiotic Profort in SK-1 mixed feed on the formation of metabolism in the body of pregnant sows, in SK-2 mixed feed on the formation of microbiocenosis and nonspecific immunity in lactating sows in the conditions of the pig complex LLC "Agronika" of the Kursk region. The tested mixed feed SK-1 has an optimal structure of feed ingredients, which corresponds to the physiological state of deepfat sows. At the same time, the fiber content increases to 8.0%, the crude protein content is 176.3 g / kg at the exchange energy level of 10 MJ/kg. The SK-2 compound feed for lactating sows contains 12.87 MJ / kg, crude protein-18.3%, crude fat-4.86%, crude fiber-4.93%. The studies found that the blood serum of the experimental group of pregnant sows significantly (P &lt; 0.05) higher glucose and total protein, the tendency of growth of gamma-globulins indicates an increase in the immunological reactivity of the sow body. There is a tendency to increase a-globulins and b-globulins. Indicators of enzyme activity in-dicate the intensity of metabolic processes in the body of deep-fat sows. The indi-cator of alkaline phosphatase, in the experimental group, tends to increase by 2.8 times, the decrease in the indicator of the amylase enzyme in the experimental group by 1.2 times. Increased lipase activity in the experimental group by 2.2 times. In studies of the facies environment of lactating sows, a positive trend of re-ducing the conditionally pathogenic microflora was established, while an increase in Bifidobacterium to 107 CFU/g was found, with a decrease in E. from 60 to 105 CFU / g, which indicates a positive dynamics of microbiocenosis due to an increase in normal microflora. Th ratio/Ts in the blood of sows of the experimental group increased due to an increase in the number of T-helpers by 73.8% , while reducing T-suppressors by 85.9 %. An increase in the blood content of animals of the second group of G-class immunoglobulins indicates a decrease in the antigenic load on the body.

Influence of probiotic on the meat productivity and indicators of the control slaughter of pigs

One of the triggers for increasing the meat productivity of pigs and improving the quality of meat is the use of probiotic feed additives in the diets of young pigs and pregnant sows. The purpose of the research was to study the increase in meat productivity of pigs when using the probiotic drug Bifidum Bug in the diet. Scientific and economic experiment on the young pigs of Duroc breed was carried out on the basis of OOO “Agrofirma Ariant” in the Emanzhelinsky area in the Chelyabinsk region in the period 2020–2022. Data on the use of the probiotic Bifidum Bug in the diet of fattening pigs are presented. Probiotic feed additive was given to animals in the amount of 0,1 mg/kg of live weight daily. As a result of the control slaughter of animals of the control and experimental groups of 3 animals from each group, the following data were obtained: the slaughter yield in pigs of the 1st control group was 63,4 %, while in pigs of the 2nd and 3rd experimental groups it was higher – 68,8 and 68,3 %, respectively. The highest ratio of edible parts of the carcass to inedible was observed in pigs in the 2nd experimental group 8,6:1, to a lesser extent in the 3rd experimental group 8,3:1, while in the 1st control group it was 8,1:1. The chemical composition of the muscle tissue of pigs in the experimental groups in the final as a result, it affected the energy value of meat. So, in the 1st control group the energy value of 100 g of meat was 182,2 kcal or 763,4 kJ, in the 2nd experimental group 189,4 and 793,6, respectively, and in the 3rd experimental group it was 186,1 kcal and 779,9 kJ.