Pregnant Sows Research Articles

The in-utero experience of piglets born from sows with lameness shapes their life trajectory

Experiences during gestation can alter the mother’s behavior and physiology, thereby potentially affecting the behavioral and physiological development of the offspring. In livestock, one common challenge for pregnant animals is lameness: a multifactorial condition that causes pain, stress, resulting in poor welfare outcomes. Since maternal pain can affect offspring development, we aimed to quantify the behavioral response in 142 piglets born from sows with different degrees of lameness during pregnancy. Gait scores of 22 pregnant group-housed sows were assessed six times at 2-week intervals. Lameness scores varied from 0 (no lameness) to 5 (most severe lameness score). Saliva samples and behavior were assessed in the sows throughout pregnancy. Sows were moved to individual farrowing pens and placental tissue was collected for glucocorticoid assessment. At 28 days of age, piglets were weaned, weighed, and regrouped by body size and sex. Skin lesions were counted for each piglet on days 28, 29, and 30 after birth. During open field and novel object tests on day 30, the vocalization and activity levels were evaluated. Piglet data were grouped by the lameness score of the sows as G1 (without lameness), G2 (moderate lameness), and G3 (severe lameness). Data analysis included ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis tests and pairwise comparisons which were performed using Tukey and Kramer (Nemenyi) test with Tukey-Dist approximation for independent samples. G2 piglets were heavier than G3 at weaning. G1 piglets had fewer skin lesions at days 28 and 29 than G2 piglets. Moreover, G1 piglets vocalized more than G2 when they were subjected to the combined open field and novel object test. We did not identify differences among sows showing different lameness scores in the concentration of placental or salivary glucocorticoids. Lameness in pregnant sows altered the offspring’s weight gain, number of skin lesions and vocalizations, together showing evidence that lameness in sows affect offspring performance and behavior.

Comparative effectiveness of iron-containing drugs for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in piglets

Prevention of iron deficiency anemia in piglets is an important preventive measure to ensure the health of pigs, as mortality from this pathology is quite high, and animals that recover from treatment do not realize their own potential productivity. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of iron (IV) clatrochelate in combination with cyanocobalamin for the prevention of iron deficiency anemia in piglets compared to the traditional scheme of prevention of this disease. To achieve this goal, 2 groups of newborn piglets-analogues were formed during their retention with suckling sows – control and experimental, 15 animals in each. The experiment lasted 30 days. Piglets in the experimental group were selected from sows given 10 ml of 10 % iron (IV) clatrochelate solution and cyanocobalamin solution twice intramuscularly during pregnancy. Piglets of the control group according to the traditional scheme of prevention of iron deficiency anemia on the second day of life were administered iron dextran drug (at the rate of 200 mg of iron (III) per injection). The results of the study show that the body weight of piglets from 1 to 9 days of their life who are born from sows which used iron (IV) clatrochelate and cyanocobalamin during pregnancy was less (P < 0.001) than the body weight of piglets which used iron dextran on the 2nd day after birth; did not differ on the 12 day of life, but on the 30 day was higher than the body weight of piglets in the control group 1.15 times (P < 0.001). The level of protein in the serum of piglets of the experimental group from birth to 30 day of life was probably higher compared to the control, which indicates that iron (IV) clatrochelate stimulates protein synthesis in the body. Therefore, double injection of 10 % solution of iron (IV) clatrochelate in a dose of 10 ml in combination with injections of cyanocobalamin at a dose of 500 mcg of active substance to pregnant sows pregnant sows 14 and 7 days before the expected farrowing provides a preventive effect of iron deficiency anemia in piglets born to them.

E2-CD154 vaccine candidate is safe and immunogenic in pregnant sows, and the maternal derived neutralizing antibodies protect piglets from classical swine fever virus challenge

E2-CD154 subunit vaccine candidate is safe and protects swine from Classical Swine Fever (CSF). However, its safety and immunogenicity in pregnant sows, and the capacity of maternal derived neutralizing antibodies (MDNA) to protect the offspring is yet to be demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of E2-CD154 in pregnant sows, and the capacity of MDNA to protect the offspring. Seventeen pregnant sows were vaccinated twice with E2-CD154 in either the first or the second third of pregnancy. Pregnancy and litter parameters were compared with a control group of non-vaccinated sows. Neutralizing antibodies (NAb) were monitored. The time course of MDNA was assessed in a group of six piglets born to an E2-CD154 immunized sow, and the animals were challenged with CSFV at day 63 after birth. No local or systemic adverse effects were found. Neither abortions, nor congenital malformations, nor stillbirths were observed. All sows develop high NAb titers after the first immunization. Piglets born to an E2-CD154 vaccinated sow still showed MDNA titers of 1:100 at day 63 after birth. Five animals were negative for virus isolation after challenge, and showed neither signs of CSF, nor macroscopic lesions in the organs. The other piglet was positive for CSFV isolation, and macroscopic lesions were observed in the spleen, although no clinical signs of CSF other than fever were detected. E2-CD154 vaccine candidate was safe and immunogenic in pregnant sows, and the passive immunity transmitted to the offspring was still protective by day 63 after birth.

Hematological Changes Associated with Pregnancy in Domestic Sows (Suis domesticus)

Background: Pregnancy involves complex biological interaction and communication between the developing conceptus and maternal uterus, which may alter the blood cellular elements. The present investigation evaluated the hematological changes associated with pregnancy in domestic sows. Methods: Blood samples were collected by auricular venipuncture from twenty sexually mature domestic sows from four pig farms. Hematological analyses were carried out on the blood samples following standard procedures. Result: The mean packed cell volume (PCV), the red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and absolute lymphocyte count were higher during pregnancy and lower following parturition, whereas, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was lower during pregnancy and declined further following parturition. The mean total white blood cell (TWBC) count and the absolute neutrophil count were higher during pregnancy and further elevated postpartum while the absolute monocyte count was lower during pregnancy and elevated postpartum. The absolute eosinophil count was significantly (p less than 0.05) lower in the pregnant sows (0.35 ± 0.13) and postpartum sows (0.21 ± 0.15) than in the non-pregnant sows (1.06 ± 0.27). These hematological alterations could assist in monitoring the physiological and health status of the dam, fetuses and pregnancy diagnosis.

Correlation between antibody response against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in sows and their offspring under field conditions.

Background and Aim:Thai pig farmers have suffered huge financial losses from porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) since 2007. PED, caused by the PED virus (PEDV), leads to severe diarrhea, vomiting, and subsequent dehydration in suckling piglets. Lactogenic immunity derived from colostrum and milk is very important because immunoglobulins (Ig) cannot cross the placenta in pregnant sows. The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological correlation of the sample-to-positive (S/P) ratios of IgA and IgG against PEDV between colostrum, sow serum, and their piglet serum.Materials and Methods:A total of 43 sows were divided into three groups according to the experience of PEDV infection: Negative sow group (n=7) and treatment group (n=36, sows previously infected with PEDV). The treatment group was subdivided into two groups: Sows immunized with live-attenuated PEDV vaccine (n=15) and sows immunized with feedback (n=21) at 3 weeks before farrowing. The 7-day-old piglets (n=425) were obtained from negative sows (n=89), vaccinated sows (n=150), and feedback sows (n=275). Colostrum, sow serum, and their piglet serum were collected and analyzed for S/P ratios of their IgA and IgG levels against PEDV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:The piglets from sows immunized with live-attenuated PEDV vaccine had a higher S/P ratio of IgG against PEDV (p<0.001), whereas the piglets from the feedback group had a higher S/P ratio of IgA against PEDV (p<0.001) compared with piglets from the negative sows. In addition, the S/P ratios of PEDV-specific IgA and IgG between sow serum and colostrum showed a positive correlation (Pearson’s coefficient r=0.61 and 0.75, respectively). Both S/P ratios of PEDV-specific IgA and IgG in sow serum and colostrum had a positive correlation to those in piglet serum.Conclusion:Overall, this study suggested that pregnant sows immunized with the live-attenuated vaccine against PEDV and feedback may provide maternal immunity against PEDV to their offspring.

Maternal Supplementation of Clofibrate Stimulates Intestinal Fatty Acid Oxidation in Newborn Suckling Piglets

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effects of maternal feeding of clofibrate, a pharmaceutical PPARα agonist, on the development of intestinal fatty acid metabolism in offspring using the pig as a model. Methods A total of 27 pregnant sows were randomly assigned into three treatment groups. Each group was fed a standard diet (3265 kcal ME/kg) supplemented with either 0, 0.25% or 0.5% clofibrate (w/w) from d 107 of gestation to d 7 of lactation. A piglet from each litter was sampled on 1, 7, 14 and 19 d of age. Fatty acid oxidation was examined in homogenates of ileum mucosa using 1 mM [1–14C] oleic acid as a substrate in the absence or presence of in vitro supplemented L-carnitine (1 mM), malonate (10 mM) or carnitine + malonate. Results The metabolism of [1–14C] oleic acid was modified by the maternal clofibrate, and the effects varied with the dose of clofibrate and postnatal age (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The 14C accumulation in 14CO2 increased by 2.4 fold at d7 (vs d1), but showed no difference after d7. Maternal clofibrate stimulated the 14CO2 accumulation from d1 to d19, but the stimulation decreased with postnatal age. The 14C accumulation in acid soluble products (14C-ASP) was reduced by 8.4 fold at d7 (vs d1), and no difference was observed after d7. Maternal clofibrate increased 14C-ASP at d1, and the effect was greater as maternal clofibrate was incremented from 0.25 to 0.5%. The 14C accumulation in esterified products (14C-ESP) was greater at d7 than d1, 14 and 19. Maternal clofibrate reduced the 14C-ESP and, again the reduction was stronger with increasing clofibrate dose. In vitro supplementation of carnitine increased 14CO2 by 60% and 14C-ASP by 120%, but reduced 14C-ESP by 39% compared to control incubations. Supplementation of malonate reduced 14CO2 by 95% and 14C-ESP by 44%, but no effect on 14C-ASP was detected. Conclusions Maternal dietary supplementation of clofibrate increases intestinal fatty acid oxidation in suckling offspring, but the increase is attenuated after one week. Inhibition of the TCA cycle reduces CO2 production without affecting ASP. The availability of carnitine could be a key element to maintain a high rate of intestinal fatty acid oxidation during the neonatal period. Funding Sources Supported by Program of Animal Nutrition, Growth and Lactation [grant no. 2015–67015-23245/project accession no. 1005855] from the USDA NIFA.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ПРЕПАРАТА «ФЕРОРСЕЛ» В СВИНОВОДСТВЕ

It is experimentally proved that the use of the drug "Ferorsel", containing a complex of iron succinate with organic selenium and the development of optimal modes of use show a positive trend in the treatment and prevention of anemia in piglets, as well as in increasing the resistance of the body of sick animals. Thus, the use of this drug in pregnant sows contributed to the normal course of pregnancy and the prevention of alimentary iron deficiency anemia in suckling pigs. Further use of the drug throughout the lactation period contributed to the normalization of hematopoiesis, iron metabolism in the body and improvement of the productive qualities of sows, as well as an increase in the level of bactericidal, lysozyme activity of blood serum and phagocytic activity of neutrophils.

Replacement of Metaphylactic Antimicrobial Therapy by Oral Administration of Ligilactobacillus salivarius MP100 in a Pig Farm.

Antibiotic use in swine production contributes to the emergence and spread of resistant bacteria, which poses a threat on human health. Therefore, alternative approaches must be developed. The objective of this work was the characterization of the probiotic properties of a Ligilactobacillus salivarius strain isolated from sow's milk and its application as an inoculated fermented feed to pregnant sows and piglets. The study was carried in a farm in which metaphylactic use of antimicrobials (including zinc oxide) was eliminated at the time of starting the probiotic intervention, which lasted for 2 years. Feces from 8-week-old piglets were collected before and after the treatment and microbiological and biochemical analyses were performed. The procedure led to an increase in the concentrations of clostridia and lactobacilli-related bacteria. Parallel, an increase in the concentration of butyrate, propionate and acetate was observed and a notable reduction in the presence of antibiotic resistant lactobacilli became apparent. In conclusion, replacement of antimicrobials by a microbiota-friendly approach was feasible and led to positive microbiological and biochemical changes in the enteric environment.

122 A Mechanistic Model of Growth and Amino Acid Deposition in the Pregnant Sow: Model Development, Evaluation, and Application

Abstract A mechanistic model was developed with the objective to characterize weight gain and essential amino acid (EAA) deposition in the different tissue pools that make up the pregnant sow: placenta, allantoic fluid, amniotic fluid, fetus, uterus, mammary gland, and maternal body were considered. The data used in this modelling approach were obtained from published scientific articles reporting weights, crude protein (CP), and EAA composition in the previously mentioned tissues; studies reporting not less than 5 datapoints across gestation were considered. A total of 12 scientific articles published between 1977 and 2020 were selected for the development of the model and the model was validated using 11 separate scientific papers. The model consists of three connected sub-models: protein deposition (Pd) model, weight gain model, and EAA deposition model. Weight gain, Pd, and EAA deposition curves were developed with nonparametric statistics using splines regression. The validation of the model showed a strong agreement between observed and predicted growth (r2 = 0.92, root mean square error = 3%). The proposed model also offered descriptive insights into the weight gain and Pd during gestation. The model suggests that the definition of time-dependent Pd is more accurately described as an increase in fluid deposition during mid-gestation coinciding with a reduction in Pd. In addition, due to differences in CP composition between pregnancy-related tissues and maternal body, Pd by itself may not be the best measurement criteria for the estimation of EAA requirement in pregnant sows. The proposed model also captures the negative maternal Pd that occurs in late gestation and indicates that litter size influences maternal tissue mobilization more than parity. The model predicts that the EAA requirements in early and mid-gestation are 75, 55 and 50% lower for primiparous sows than parity 2, 3 and 4+ sows, respectively, which suggest the potential benefits of parity segregated feeding.

288 Plasma Concentrations of Cortisol During the Periparturient Period in Gilts

Abstract An increase in plasma concentrations of cortisol is one signal that begins parturition and uterine contractions in pregnant sows; however, it is not known whether a critical level of cortisol is necessary or the role that it may play in the duration of parturition. The objective of the study was to characterize plasma concentrations of during the periparturient period and assess its relationship with initiation of parturition, litter size, and farrowing duration. Blood was collected via indwelling catheters from 5 primiparous gilts twice daily (0700 and 1900 h) from d113 of gestation until the birth of the first piglet, after which blood was collected every 15 minutes until farrowing was considered complete. Time of birth of each piglet was recorded. Farrowing duration was defined as the time between birth of the first and last piglets. Plasma concentrations of cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay. Litter size was 12, 12, 18, 17, and 14 piglets and farrowing duration was 72 minutes, 4.1, 6.7, 5.8, and 4 hours, respectively. Quadratic and linear regressions were performed using the RStats package in RStudio (version 1.2.5025). Serum concentrations of cortisol were 3.37 ± 1.55 and 5.73 ± 2.18 ng/mL prior to parturition and at the birth of the first piglet, respectively. There was a positive quadratic relationship (P ≤ 0.07) between time of birth of each piglet and plasma cortisol levels; peak cortisol was 14.45 ± 3.20 ng/mL. There was a positive correlation between initial cortisol level and average piglet birth weight (P = 0.0124) but no relationship with total litter weight (P &amp;gt; 0.05). Determination of the periparturient changes in cortisol may be useful in designing farrowing induction protocols.

Effect of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic state, endocrine profiles, body composition and reproductive performance of sows

Objective: To assess the effect of flaxseed supplementation on metabolic profile, endocrine concentrations, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), body composition variables, and reproductive performance of sows. Methods: All the 21 crossbred Large White Yorkshire sows were considered in the study period starting at day 1 of current farrowing when the feeding of specific supplemental ration was started until the day of subsequent farrowing (days 150-155) and were equally allocated into three groups. Group 1 served as the control group and followed their normal feeding schedule. Group 2 and group 3, in addition to their normal feeding schedule, were supplemented with flaxseed at a rate of 0.5% and 1.0% of the dry matter, respectively. Blood samples were collected 15 days prior to farrowing, on the day of farrowing (day 0), at weekly intervals until day 28 of lactation and at monthly intervals during gestation to harvest the plasma. Plasma was used to assess the metabolic and endocrine status of sows. Body weight of each sow and individual birth weight of all piglets born were measured. Results: Flaxseed supplementation led to decrease in plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the supplemented groups than in the control group (P&lt;0.05). Plasma estradiol-17β level was higher in group 2 than that in group 1 and 3 on day 90 of the gestation period (P&lt;0.05). The mean plasma level of insulin-like growth factor 1 was higher in group 3 than that in group 1 and 2 both in late lactation (day 28) as well as in early gestation (day 30) (P&lt;0.05). Plasma NEFA and weight gain were greater in sows of group 2 and 3 compared to those fed with the normal control diets (P&lt;0.05). The proportion of pregnant sows relative to sows bred was 100.0% in group 2 and 3 and 85.7% in the control group. Piglet mortality was lower in group 2 and 3 compared to group 1 (P&gt;0.05). Conclusions: Flaxseed improves endocrine profiles, NEFA concentrations and body weight, resulting in better pregnancy rate and litter size.

Maternal cysteine intake influenced oxidative status and lipid-related gut microbiota and plasma metabolomics in male suckling piglets

Cysteine (Cys), a nutritionally semi-essential amino acid, can regulate oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. Since maternal nutrient intake has an impact on offspring, this study aimed to investigate the effect of maternal Cys intake on male suckling piglets. Twenty-four sows in late pregnancy (85–90 days of gestation) were randomly allotted to three groups and fed diets containing 0.3 %, 0.4 % and 0.5 % Cys. The pregnant sows were fed twice daily (06:00 and 14:00) but the feed supply was withheld near delivery. After delivery, the sows were fed the same diet as before, and the amount of feed supply was gradually increased. During lactation, the piglets were not provided with supplemental feed. On day 21 after partitioning, eight piglets per group (one male piglet per little) and a total of 24 piglets were sampled. The birth weight and weaning weight of the piglets in each litter were recorded. Blood samples and intestinal digesta samples of the piglets were collected. The results showed that the birth weight and weaning weight of the piglets were not affected by the treatment. For the plasma metabolomics analysis, 16 differential metabolites were identified among the groups and were involved in the metabolism of proteins (methionyl-histidine, lysyl-leucine), amino acids (L-homocysteine sulfonic acid, selenomethionine) and nucleic acids (5′-deoxyadenosine, 5-methyldeoxycytidine). In addition, compared with 0.3 % Cys, increased maternal Cys intake (0.4 % and 0.5 % Cys) led to lower serum malondialdehyde levels and plasma levels of estradiol and mevalonate and increased plasma methionyl-histidine levels in the male piglets. Intestinal microbial analysis showed an increase in the phylum Bacteroidetes, and a decrease in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the colon of the male piglets in the 0.4 % and 0.5 % Cys groups compared with the 0.3 % Cys group. A positive correlation between the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and plasma metabolites (mevalonate and estradiol) was observed; these changes were associated with the inhibition of fat synthesis. Taken together, increased maternal Cys intake during late gestation and lactation reduces oxidative stress and influences the lipid-related plasma metabolomics and intestinal microbiota in male piglets.

Challenge of Naïve and Vaccinated Pigs with a Vaccine-Derived Recombinant Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus 1 Strain (Horsens Strain).

In July 2019, a vaccine-derived recombinant Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 1 strain (PRRSV-1) (Horsens strain) infected more than 40 Danish sow herds, resulting in severe losses. In the present study, the pathogenicity of the recombinant Horsens strain was assessed and compared to a reference PRRSV-1 strain using a well-characterized experimental model in young SPF pigs. Furthermore, the efficacies of three different PRRSV-1 MLV vaccines to protect pigs against challenge with the recombinant strain were assessed. Following challenge, the unvaccinated pigs challenged with the Horsens strain had significant increased viral load in serum compared to all other groups. No macroscopic changes were observed at necropsy, but tissue from the lungs and tonsils from almost all pigs were PRRSV-positive. The viral load in serum was lower in all vaccinated groups compared to the unvaccinated group challenged with the Horsens strain, and only small differences were seen among the vaccinated groups. The findings in the present study, combined with two other recent reports, indicate that this recombinant “Horsens” strain indeed is capable of inducing infection in growing pigs as well as in pregnant sows that is comparable to or even exceeding those induced by typical PRRSV-1, subtype 1 strains. However, absence of notable clinical signs and lack of significant macroscopic changes indicate that this strain is less virulent than previously characterized highly virulent PRRSV-1 strains.

A Novel E2 Glycoprotein Subunit Marker Vaccine Produced in Plant Is Able to Prevent Classical Swine Fever Virus Vertical Transmission after Double Vaccination.

The efficacy of a novel subunit vaccine candidate, based in the CSFV E2 glycoprotein produced in plants to prevent classical swine fever virus (CSFV) vertical transmission, was evaluated. A Nicotiana benthamiana tissue culture system was used to obtain a stable production of the E2-glycoprotein fused to the porcine Fc region of IgG. Ten pregnant sows were divided into three groups: Groups 1 and 2 (four sows each) were vaccinated with either 100 μg/dose or 300 μg/dose of the subunit vaccine at 64 days of pregnancy. Group 3 (two sows) was injected with PBS. Groups 1 and 2 were boosted with the same vaccine dose. At 10 days post second vaccination, the sows in Groups 2 and 3 were challenged with a highly virulent CSFV strain. The vaccinated sows remained clinically healthy and seroconverted rapidly, showing efficient neutralizing antibodies. The fetuses from vaccinated sows did not show gross lesions, and all analyzed tissue samples tested negative for CSFV replication. However, fetuses of non-vaccinated sows had high CSFV replication in tested tissue samples. The results suggested that in vaccinated sows, the plant produced E2 marker vaccine induced the protective immunogenicity at challenge, leading to protection from vertical transmission to fetuses.

HEYVANLARIN QORUNMASI SAHƏSİNDƏ Aİ QANUNVERİCİLİYİ VƏ ONUN HƏLL ETMƏDİYİ MƏSƏLƏLƏR

The European Union (EU) has since 1974 established a wide range of legislative provisions concerning animal welfare. Under the EU treaties, animals are recognised as sentient beings, and in consequence, the EU and the Member States must pay due regard to the welfare requirements of animals when preparing and implementing EU policies in for example, agriculture or internal market. Today EU legislation on the welfare of farm animals covers with specific provisions the farming of poultry, calves and pigs as well as, for all species, transport and slaughter operations. This legislation is one of the most advanced in the world. In particular the EU has banned traditional cages for laying hens and requires group housing for pregnant sows.

Effect of Maternal Betaine Supplementation on Growth, Plane of Nutrition, Blood Biochemical Profile and Antioxidant Status of Progeny Pigs

Background: Dietary supplementation of methyl donors like vitamins B9, B12, choline and betaine have been reported to reduce oxidative stress not only in sows but can also reduce oxidative stress in offspring through epigenetic modulation of DNA. However, cell proliferation and fetal development and oxidative stress associated with it is not uniform during the whole length of gestation. Hence this experiment was conducted to study the effects of maternal betaine supplementation on growth, plane of nutrition and antioxidant profile of progeny pigs.Methods: Eighteen crossbred (Landrace X Desi) sows were randomly distributed into three groups of six each in an experiment based on completely randomized design (CRD). The sows in control (T0) were fed standard ration to meet their requirements. Supplementary betaine at 3 g/kg DM were provided either during late pregnancy (d 76 onwards till parturition) only or throughout the length of gestation to the sows of groups T1 and T2, respectively. The samples of feed offered, residue and faeces were analyzed for proximate principles following the standard procedures. Blood samples from the progeny piglets were collected and antioxidant status of the piglets assessed by the measurement of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) by using standard kits.Result: The serum concentration of SOD was comparable (p greater than 0.05) among the groups, whereas serum concentration of catalase was higher (p less than 0.05) in piglets born to the dam exposed to supplementary beanie during gestation, the best response was observed whilst betaine was supplemented in the maternal diets during the whole length of gestation It was concluded that supplementation of betaine at 3g/kg in the diet of pregnant sows improved the antioxidant capacity of piglets borne to them.

Non-specific effects of maternal and offspring rabies vaccination on mortality and antibiotic use in a Danish pig herd: A randomized trial

IntroductionHuman non-live vaccines have been associated with detrimental non-specific effects (NSE), particularly in females. A large trial found 2-fold increased overall mortality in girls receiving a new malaria vaccine compared to the rabies vaccine used as a coontrol; a beneficial NSE of the rabies vaccine was proposed. Conversely, in dogs increased mortality was seen in females but not males following rabies vaccination of puppies born to immunized mothers. We investigated NSE of non-live rabies vaccine in piglets and the potential modifying effect of maternal priming with rabies vaccine. MethodsIn a Danish herd of commercial rabies virus-free pigs, 575 pregnant sows (2–3 weeks before scheduled farrowing) and 5747 of their offspring (median 6-day-old) were allocated (1:1) to non-live rabies vaccine (Versiguard rabies vet) or no rabies vaccine. Outcomes were overall mortality and antibiotic treatment until departure from the nursery (approximately age 12 weeks/30 kgs). ResultsUntil weaning, overall offspring mortality was 2.2% (127 piglets died, rabies vaccine: n = 69; control: n = 58), the proportion ratio (PR) being 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 0.84–1.68). Until end of follow-up, mortality was 4.1% (233, rabies vaccine: n = 115; control = 118, PR: 0.97 (0.76–1.25)). Prior sow rabies vaccination did not affect piglet mortality. For mortality as well as risk of antibiotic treatment before weaning, there was indication of a beneficial effect of rabies vaccine in female piglets, but a negative effect in (castrated) male piglets from rabies-naïve sows. Prior sow vaccination significantly modified the vaccine effect estimate in female piglets toward a detrimental effect of rabies vaccine on treatment risk. These effects had waned by 12 weeks of age. ConclusionThe study did not support the hypothesized beneficial NSE of rabies vaccine. Although under-powered for subgroup analyses, the study indicated effect modification by sex and maternal vaccination. Results could be different in a herd with higher mortality and infectious burden.

Behavioral and stress responses to feeding time in pregnant sows under limit-fed regime.

We investigated the effect of feeding time on behavior and stress responses in pregnant sows under isocaloric conditions. Twenty-four sows were balanced for parity and randomly assigned to 1 of 3 feeding times. Corn–soybean meal-based diet was fed once at: 0730 (Control, T1), 1130 (T2), and 1530 hours (T3). On average, sows received 7,062 kcal ME/d from 2.20 kg of diet formulated to contain SID Lys/ME of 1.71 g/Mcal. The study was conducted for 28 d (21 d acclimation to the feeding regime and 7 d data collection). Saliva samples were collected every 2 hr for 12 hr in stalls on day 52 of pregnancy. Behavior data were collected 24 hr for 7 d from day 53 of gestating by affixing a remote insights ear tag to each sow. Each sow had 120,960 data points categorized into: “Active,” “Feed,” or “Dormant”. Due to housing constraint, all sows were housed in individual stalls in the same barn presenting a potential limitation of the study. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED and GLIMMIX procedures of SAS 9.4 for cortisol and behavior data, respectively. Sow was the experimental unit. The area under the curve (AUC) is quantitative evaluation of response as threshold varies over all possible values. A 12-hr cortisol total AUC for sows fed once daily at 1130 hours was reduced relative to sow group fed at 1530 hours (P = 0.046) but similar compared with the control sows (P = 0. 323). The control sows (0730 hours) had reduced total (P < 0.001) and feeding (P = 0.001) activity AUCs relative to sows on 1130 hours but did not differ compared with sows on 1530 hours feeding schedules (P > 0.100). Sows on 1130 hours feeding schedule had greater feed anticipatory activity, 24-hr total activity count, total (P < 0.001) and feeding (P < 0.001) activity AUC compared with sows fed daily at 1530 hours. In conclusion, feeding pregnant sows earlier in the morning (0730 hours) appears to minimize sows’ behavior but similar cortisol response. Sows on 1130 hours feeding schedule had greater activities but reduced cortisol concentration, suggesting that elevated sow activity might not necessarily indicate activation of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis.

Hemoglobin content, hematocrit and morphological parameters of blood of piglets under the influence of iron preparations

Hypoplastic anemia is a disease that is associated with a decrease in the number of red blood cells and / or hemoglobin per unit volume of blood due to hematopoietic disorders and is manifested by changes in metabolism and growth retardation. Particular attention was paid to changes in the body of piglets of the experimental group compared with the control in the probable period of manifestation of iron deficiency anemia. The uniqueness of the chemical structure of iron (IV) clatrochelate allowed us to assume that intramuscular administration of a solution of this substance to sows will provide the necessary need for iron during the first months of life of piglets. The influence of the proposed scheme of prevention of this pathology on the further development of young pigs was analyzed. The results of the study of erythrocyte count, hemoglobin content and hematocrit were scientifically significant, because the gradual decrease in these indicators after the birth of piglets is a physiologically determined phenomenon for animals of this species. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of Iron (IV) clatrochelate in pregnant sows in order to prevent iron deficiency anemia in piglets and to determine its effect on hemoglobin content, hematocrit and morphological parameters of piglets' blood. To achieve this goal, 2 groups of newborn piglets-analogues were formed during their retention with suckling sows – control and experimental, 15 animals in each. The experiment lasted 60 days. Piglets from the experimental group were selected from sows who were injected 10 ml 10 % Iron (IV) clatrochelate solution twice intramuscularly during pregnancy. The results of the studies show that the content of hemoglobin in the blood of piglets of the experimental group was the same as in animals of the control group at 1 and 60 days of life, and 1.1–1.3 times lower in other periods of the study; hematocrit - was the same on the first day of life and 1.3–1.9 times lower in other study periods. Quantitative indicators of blood cells of piglets of the control and experimental groups did not exceed the normative values, but the number of erythrocytes in the blood of piglets of the experimental group was probably lower than the control indicator at 5, 9 and 30 days of life. Therefore, a double injection of 10 % Iron (IV) clatrochelate solution into pregnant sows 14 and 7 days before the expected farrowing provides a preventive effect on iron deficiency anemia in piglets born to them.

Development and study of the effectiveness of a biologically active drug in the diet of sows

Many researchers note the need to improve feed additives and the search for new promising drugs for the intensification of the pig industry. We have developed a biologically active complex drug Microlact. It is used by animals as a means aimed at correcting the disturbed metabolism of sows associated with pregnancy and lactation, to activate the growth and development of piglets as well as their viability. The purpose of the work was to develop and study the effectiveness of the biologically active drug in the diet of lactating sows. The use of the drug led to the improvement of biochemical parameters of blood of pregnant sows, indicating the activation of metabolic processes in their body, which provided the increase in milk yield of sows, average daily weight gain of piglets and their livability. The live weight of piglets for weaning increased by 8,0% (P &lt; 0,01), the livability of suckling piglets increased to 93,1%, which is a consequence of improving the quality of colostrum and milk, and consequently the positive effect of the biologically active drug containing an optimal complex of minerals, vitamin E in the composition of malt sprouts, essential amino acids and organic form of selenium. More nutritious colostrum and milk contributed to the better development of the piglets’ body and resistance to adverse factors. Immunoglobulins have been obtained by piglets with colostrum and milk increase their resistance and contribute to higher livability. The increase in the weight of suckling pigs has a positive effect on the further development and growth of animals on fattening. Thus, the administration of the biologically active drug Microlact to sows during pregnancy leads to the activation of metabolic processes, which can only be provided by a high level of functioning of the organs and systems of the body.