Induction of parturition in the pig using a new prostaglandin analogue (K11941)

Eighty seven sows, taken from a herd whose mean gestation length was 116 days, were allotted at random on day 114 of gestation to one of five treatment groups as follows: (1) 175 mug prostaglandin analogue (closprostenol I.C.I. Ltd) (2) 1 mg K11941 (alfaprostol VETEM Ltd), (3) 2 mg K11941, (4) 3 mg K11941 (5) 2 ml saline (control). All prostaglandin analogues induced parturition significantly earlier than controls (P < 0.05), but there were no differences between any of the prostaglandin treatments in the interval to birth of the first piglet (P > 0.05). The mean intervals to parturition were 24.6, 22.3, 24.9, 30.7 and 53.0 hours for treatments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. Almost two-thirds of treated sows farrowed during the working period of the day following injection compared with a small proportion of control animals. Induction of parturition had no effect on birth weight, piglet survival to 3 weeks or on subsequent weaning to service interval in treated sows. Results show that this new analogue of prostaglandin (K11941) is effective in inducing farrowing in the sow.     

The effect of farrowing environment and previous experience on the maternal behaviour of sows in indoor pens and outdoor huts

Outdoor farrowing huts facilitate a less restricted maternal behaviour in sows compared with sows kept indoors in farrowing pens. The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are behavioural differences between primiparous sows kept outdoors in farrowing huts and indoors in pens, and whether the maternal behaviour during the second parity, when all sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts, would differ between sows that have experienced the indoor or the outdoor environment, respectively, during their first parturition. A total of 26 Yorkshire×Swedish Landrace sows were studied. Of these, 11 sows were housed outdoors in farrowing huts during both parturitions (group=OUTOUT). The other 15 sows were kept indoors in a barn with single farrowing pens during their first parturition. During their second parturition, sows were kept outdoors in farrowing huts (group=INOUT). The behaviour was video recorded from 2 h prepartum to 48 h postpartum. The sows’ responsiveness to playbacks of a piglet’s screams was tested on days 2 to 3 postpartum. Parity 1: during the last 2 h prepartum, OUTOUT sows had a higher proportion of observations in the sternal lying position (P<0.01). During parturition, OUTOUT sows changed posture more often (P<0.05) and were lying less (P<0.05) than INOUT sows. All sows in both groups responded with ‘lifting head’ towards the playback of piglet scream, whereas 100% of OUTOUT sows and only 43% of INOUT sows thereafter were ‘getting up’ (P <0.01). Parity 2: There were no behavioural differences between INOUT and OUTOUT sows. In conclusion, it is not problematic for a second parity sow with initial maternal experience from an indoor farrowing pen to be kept outdoors in farrowing huts during its following farrowing.     

Influence of the metabolic state during lactation on milk production in modern sows

Selection for prolificacy in sows has resulted in higher metabolic demands during lactation. In addition, modern sows have an increased genetic merit for leanness. Consequently, sow metabolism during lactation has changed, possibly affecting milk production and litter weight gain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lactational feed intake on milk production and relations between mobilization of body tissues (adipose tissue or skeletal muscle) and milk production in modern sows with a different lactational feed intake. A total of 36 primiparous sows were used, which were either full-fed (6.5 kg/day) or restricted-fed (3.25 kg/day) during the last 2 weeks of a 24-day lactation. Restricted-fed sows had a lower milk fat percentage at weaning and a lower litter weight gain and estimated milk fat and protein production in the last week of lactation. Next, several relations between sow body condition (loss) and milk production variables were identified. Sow BW, loin muscle depth and backfat depth at parturition were positively related to milk fat production in the last week of lactation. In addition, milk fat production was related to the backfat depth loss while milk protein production was related to the loin muscle depth loss during lactation. Backfat depth and loin muscle depth at parturition were positively related to lactational backfat depth loss or muscle depth loss, respectively. Together, results suggest that sows which have more available resources during lactation, either from a higher amount of body tissues at parturition or from an increased feed intake during lactation, direct more energy toward milk production to support a higher litter weight gain. In addition, results show that the type of milk nutrients that sows produce (i.e. milk fat or milk protein) is highly related to the type of body tissues that are mobilized during lactation. Interestingly, relations between sow body condition and milk production were all independent of feed level during lactation. Sow management strategies to increase milk production and litter growth in modern sows may focus on improving sow body condition at the start of lactation or increasing feed intake during lactation.     

Energy Metabolism During Late Gestation and Lactation in Muciparous Sows in Relation to Backfat Thickness and the Interval from Weaning to First Oestrus

Ten crossbred, fourth or fifth parity sows were divided into 2 groups - high (H) and low (L) - according to their backfat thickness 9 days before parturition. Body weight, backfat thickness and litter weight were recorded repeatedly during a 5 week lactation period. The length of the interval from weaning to first oestrus was also noted. All sows were fed a commercial diet (11.9 MJ/kg, 14.5% crude protein). During gestation, daily food intake was 2.2 kg/sow, while during lactation it was 3.0 kg/sow plus 0.4 kg/piglet. Blood samples were drawn on day 9 before parturition and on days 2,7,14 and 21 of lactation. The samples were analysed to determine concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglycerides, free fatty acids and beta-hydroxybutyric acid. In both groups, concentrations of free fatty acids and urea nitrogen were low on day 9 before parturition while those of triglycerides were high, indicating anabolism regardless of backfat thickness. During the first week of lactation, concentrations of free fatty acids increased in the H-group but not in the L-group, and concentrations of urea nitrogen were higher in the H-group. These differences, together with the greater loss of weight observed in the H-group, indicate that catabolism of maternal fat and protein depots was more pronounced in the Η-group than in the L-group during this time. On day 14 of lactation, both groups showed equally low concentrations of free fatty acids, decreasing creatinine concentrations and stable triglyceride and urea nitrogen concentrations. Furthermore, weight loss during the second and third weeks of lactation was low in both groups. These facts, taken together, indicate that the catabolic rate was decreasing in both groups during this period. No differences in return to oestrus interval were noted between the groups. The present study indicates that under a restricted feeding regime the catabolic rate during the first week of lactation is higher in sows with higher backfat thickness in late gestation. As lactation progresses, a more balanced metabolism is achieved regardless of backfat thickness, which may tend to reduce differences in return to oestrous interval.     

Induction of parturition in swine with prostaglandin analogs and oxytocin

Two trials were conducted to increase the effectiveness of parturition induction with PG analogs. In trial 1, 39 sows were treated with the analog Luprostiol (Pronilen, Vemie /Kempen). Of these, 19 received an additional injection of 30 i.u. oxytocin 24 h later. In trial 2, 126 sows were divided into four groups, three of which were treated with the analog Alfaprostol (Vetem /Milano), while one served as control. Two of the PG-treated groups received an additional oxytocin injection either 24 or 20 h later, respectively. The response to either of the PG analogs resembled that observed during earlier studies although the percentage of sows responding was somewhat lower (70% and 77%, respectively). Oxytocin increased the number of respondents to 84 and 89%, respectively, and parturition commenced promptly. In trial 1, parturition started within 2.1 +/- 1.6 (0 to 5) h after oxytocin, in trial 2 within 1.57 +/- 1.06 (0.5 to 3) h when the interval between prostaglandin and oxytocin was 24 h, and 1.81 +/- 0.84 (0.5 to 3) h when it was 20 h (x +/- SD ). Parturition and viability, birth weight and weaning weight of piglets were normal. The proportion of sows in trial 2 that showed increased body temperature during the first 3 days post partum was reduced from 22.9% in the control group to 8.6, 14.3 and 7.1% in the three groups receiving just PG or PG and oxytocin after 24 or 20 h, respectively.     

Effect of partial fetectomy on plasma 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2α in late pregnancy of sows

The aim of this study was to ascertain if partial fetectomy in late pregnancy affected prostaglandin F_2α levels, thereby influencing the time of delivery of the remaining fetuses in the sow. Sham fetectomy or surgical removal of one, two, three or four fetal piglets was performed on each of ten sows during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. Removal of no fetuses (two sows) and in one sow a single fetus was followed by a continuation of pregnancy to the expected time of parturition. Plasma values for oestrone, progesterone and 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F_2α (PGFM) were similar to those reported previously for normal sows. Removal of one (two sows), two (two sows), three (two sows) or four (one sow) fetuses was followed by premature parturition, within 42–144 h of surgery. Labour lasted 24 to 30 h. Almost immediately after fetectomy, PGFM levels in plasma increased and were accompanied by a decline in progesterone concentrations. High PGFM values (13–60 ng/ml) were present at parturition. Oestrone concentrations were variable or rose slightly at this time. The results suggest that all fetuses in a litter must be present to maintain pregnancy to term. Pregnancy may depend upon fetal suppression of prostaglandin F_2α production and release until the appropriate time for parturition.     

Dietary fibre for gestating sows: effects on parturition progress, behaviour, litter and sow performance

In pig production, parturition progress is a key event for sow's reproductive performance, evaluated by piglet survival and piglets' performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of feeding a high-fibre (HF) diet during gestation on parturition progress and reproductive performance of sows. Forty-two primiparous sows (Large-White × Landrace crossbred) were fed during gestation either a control diet (C diet; 2.40 kg/day, 3.2% crude fibre, in % of dry matter (DM)), or a HF diet (2.80 kg/day, 12.4% crude fibre, in % of DM). All sows received 33 MJ digestible energy per day. Continuous video recordings were done on the parturition day to determine postural changes (standing, sitting, lying) and behavioural activities (nesting behaviour, uterine contractions, restlessness, social behaviour towards piglets) during parturition. Duration of parturition and individual birth intervals were also measured. Piglets' growth was evaluated by weekly weighing from birth until weaning, at 26.5 days of age. Sows were weighed and backfat thickness was measured at mating, on day 105 of gestation, on the 1st day post partum, and at weaning. Durations of parturition and of birth intervals were not affected by the gestation diet and averaged 211 ± 12 min and 16.5 ± 0.9 min (mean ± s.e.), respectively. During the parturition progress, the gestation diet did not affect the frequency and the time devoted to postural and behavioural activities. Dietary treatment during gestation did not influence duration of gestation and weaning-to-oestrus interval, as well as litter size, and number of stillborn and weaned piglets. Piglet weight at birth did not differ between gestation dietary treatments but piglets nursed by HF sows showed a 13.5% greater growth rate during the 1st week of life (P < 0.01) and tended to be heavier at weaning (P = 0.06) compared with C piglets. The HF sows were leaner at the end of gestation (P < 0.05), but variations of sows' weight during gestation and lactation were not affected by the gestation diet. All sows lost the same amount of backfat thickness during lactation. During lactation, the average daily feed intake was not significantly affected by the gestation diet. This study shows that substituting a control diet for a HF diet during gestation has limited effects on farrowing progress and reproductive performance, but improved piglets' growth rate during the 1st week of life and tended to increase their live weight at weaning.     

Ovarian activity and peripheral plasma levels of oestrogens and progesterone in the lactating sow

Ten gilts were examined for peripheral plasma levels of progesterone and oestrogens 3 weeks before and up to 8 weeks after parturition. The sows were slaughtered at different intervals after parturition and the ovaries were examined. Peripheral plasma levels of progesterone decreased dramatically from about 8ng/ml two days before parturition to about 2 ng/ml on the day before parturition. After parturition the mean progesterone level was about 1.5 ng/ml. Maximum oestrone levels of about 7 ng/ml were obtained two days before parturition. After parturition the level dropped to below 0.1 ng/ml. Three sows showed high levels of oestradiol (75–440 pg/ml) without signs of heat during the lactation. In no case were ovulated follicles or periodic corpora lutea registered.     

Progesterone and corticosteroids in the initiation of lactation in the sow

The concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion from individual glands of two sows increased significantly (P less than 0.01) between 0 and 24 h after parturition. In six sows studied during the perinatal period there was a negative correlation (r = -0.80; P less than 0.02) at parturition between the concentration of progesterone in the blood and the concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion. Furthermore, the increase in concentration of lactose in the mammary secretion after parturition was related to the timing of the decline of plasma progesterone to low levels. The results indicate that the initiation of lactation occurs within 24 h of parturition in most sows, and the results are consistent with the hypothesis that progesterone withdrawal acts as the 'trigger'. Neither the changes in corticosteroid binding globulin nor the changes in total corticosteroids were temporally related to the initiation of lactation. However, a circadian rhythm was observed for total corticosteroids in the blood of three out of nine lactating and pregnant sows, whereas no circadian rhythm was observed in progesterone of the four pregnant sows. The results are discussed in relation to the disease complex mastitis-metritis-agalactia.     

Body weight loss during lactation and its influence on weaning-to-service interval and ovulation rate in Landrace and Yorkshire sows in the tropical environment of Thailand

The aim of this study was to investigate the ovulation rate and the weaning-to-service interval (WSI) of sows in relation to their body weight loss during lactation in tropical climatic conditions. Effect of lactation length (LL), number of total born piglets, number of live born piglets, litter birth weight, average piglet birth weight, number of pigs weaned, litter weaning weight and average pig weaned weight on sow weight loss during lactation were also studied. This study was conducted in two commercial purebred sow herds (A, B) in the central part of Thailand from August to December 1997. The herds had both Landrace (L) and Yorkshire (Y) sows. The 123 sows (55 L and 68 Y) in herd A and 153 sows (95 L and 58 Y) in herd B, parity 1-4, were weighed within 4 days after farrowing and at weaning. Lactation length, litter size at birth and at weaning, litter weight at birth and at weaning, and WSI were recorded for each of these sows. In herd A, 52 sows (20 L and 32 Y) were examined once by laparoscopy between days 8 and 14 after AI-service. These sows had farrowed at least seven piglets in the previous parturition. The numbers of corpora lutea (CL) in both ovaries were counted, and were assumed to equal the ovulation rate. L-sows had significantly (P < 0.05) higher relative weight loss during lactation (RWL) than Y-sows. The RWL increased by 0.7% for each extra pig weaned. When LL increased by 1 day, within the interval of 17-34 days, RWL decreased by 0.6%. Sows with a high weight loss had significantly (P < 0.05) longer WSI than sows with medium or low weight loss. Weight loss had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on WSI in parity 1 and 2 sows. Y-sows had more CL than L-sows (15.7 versus 14.0) (P < 0.05). RWL, parity and regression on lactation length had no significant effect on number of CL. In conclusion, sows with higher number of pigs weaned lose more weight. Under the restricted feeding regime applied, high weight loss during lactation prolongs WSI in parity 1 and 2 sows, but has no influence on the ovulation rate at first oestrus after weaning. The ovulation rate is higher in Yorkshire than in Landrace sows. The ovulation rate is independent of parity.     

Lack of stimulation of relaxin secretion in lactating sows by suckling in vivo or by oxytocin in vitro.

After parturition, eight sows were zero weaned by removing all piglets 6 h after birth; a further 18 sows suckled at least ten piglets each. Blood samples were collected on Day 4 after zero weaning or on Days 4, 14 and 21 of lactation and the sampling frequency increased during suckling bouts. Ovaries were recovered from sows on these days and corpora lutea were either extracted for estimation of relaxin and progesterone concentration, fixed for immunohistochemical analysis or incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of luteinizing hormone (LH) or oxytocin. Luteal weight and progesterone were higher in the zero-weaned sows than in lactating sows (P less than 0.05 and less than 0.001, respectively); relaxin content was below detection by Day 14. This was supported by immunohistochemical staining for relaxin, which showed limited immunostaining in zero-weaned and Day 4 sows, but none in the tissue recovered on Days 14 and 21, which showed typical signs of regression. Secretion of progesterone and relaxin by luteal tissue in vitro was highest in zero-weaned sows (P less than 0.05), decreased as lactation progressed and neither LH nor oxytocin had any significant effect. Concentrations of plasma relaxin were all less than 0.2 ng/ml in three of the four zero-weaned and Day-4-suckled sows assayed; there was no detectable increase during suckling bouts. It was concluded that during lactation the old corpus luteum of pregnancy is not able to release relaxin in response to suckling in vivo or to oxytocin treatment in vitro.     

Follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to estimated breeding value for within-litter variation in piglet birth weight

In this study we aimed to identify possible causes of within-litter variation in piglet birth weight (birth weight variation) by studying follicular development of sows at weaning in relation to their estimated breeding value (EBV) for birth weight variation. In total, 29 multiparous sows (parity 3 to 5) were selected on their EBV for birth weight variation (SD in grams; High-EBV: 15.8±1.6, N=14 and Low-EBV: −24.7±1.5, N=15). The two groups of sows had similar litter sizes (15.7 v. 16.9). Within 24 h after parturition, piglets were cross-fostered to ensure 13 suckling piglets per sow. Sows weaned 12.8±1.0 and 12.7±1.0 piglets, respectively, at days 26.1±0.2 of lactation. Blood and ovaries were collected within 2 h after weaning. The right ovary was immediately frozen to assess average follicle size and percentage healthy follicles of the 15 largest follicles. The left ovary was used to assess the percentage morphologically healthy cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) of the 15 largest follicles. To assess the metabolic state of the sows, body condition and the circulating metabolic markers insulin, IGF1, non-esterified fatty acid, creatinine, leptin, urea and fibroblast growth factor 21 were analysed at weaning. No significant differences were found in any of the measured follicular or metabolic parameters between High-EBV and Low-EBV. A higher weight loss during lactation was related to a lower percentage healthy COCs (β= −0.65, P=0.02). Serum creatinine, a marker for protein breakdown, was negatively related to average follicle size (β= −0.60, P=0.05). Backfat loss during lactation was related to a higher backfat thickness at parturition and to a higher average follicle size (β=0.36, P<0.001) at weaning. In conclusion, we hypothesise that modern hybrid sows with more backfat at the start of lactation are able to mobilise more energy from backfat during lactation and could thereby spare protein reserves to support follicular development.     

Post-partum oestrus in the sow in relation to the concentration of plasma oestrogens.

Ten sows, three entire and seven which had been ovariectomized at different stages of late gestation, were observed for post-partum oestrus. Serial blood samples were collected from six sows during the pre-and post-partum periods, and plasma oestrogen concentrations determined by radioimmunoassay. Morphological aspects of ovarian activity in the entire sows were examined at laparotomy and at autopsy. Although peak values of oestrogen concentration in the plasma varied from 3-9 to 8-0 ng/ml between individuals, the pattern of oestrogen levels was similar for control and ovariectomized sows. Peak concentrations occurred just before parturition, and the timing of ovariectomy did not affect the incidence of the oestrogen peak. Oestrus was detected in one control and one ovariectomized sow at 46 and 40 hr post partum respectively, there being no evidence of ovarian activity in the entire sows. The occurrence of post-partum oestrus in a sow ovariectomized at Day 108 of gestation indicates that this phenomenon is not directly connected with ovarian secretion of oestrogens. The post-partum oestrus is apparently a result of the peak of feto-placental oestrogens that occurs at parturition.     

Induction of parturition in swine with a prostaglandin analog and oxytoxin: A trial involving dose of oxytocin and parity

The purpose of this experiment was to compare a range of oxytocin doses in order to find the most suitable dose to improve predictability and precision of timing of PGF-induced parturition in sows. Sows randomly allotted to 6 groups - group size varying between 28 and 39 - were either untreated controls (group 1) or received an IM injection of 2 mg of the PGF-analog Alfaprostol (Vetem) on day 111 of pregnancy (day 0 = last day of standing heat), followed 20 h later by 0, 5, 10, 20 or 30 IU oxytocin, respectively (groups 2 - 6). Both length and variability of the time from injection of oxytocin to the onset of parturition decreased with increasing dose. The response was faster and more predictable with older sows than with first litter gilts. A disadvantage of higher doses of oxytocin was the necessity of manual aid (11 % in controls, 52 % with the maximum level of 30 IU oxytocin). Litter size, weight and percentage of piglets weaned and time from weaning to subsequent estrus were not affected by any of the treatments. An oxytocin dose of 20 IU applied 20 h after PGF appeared to give the most effective response, although this will occasionally necessitate manual assistance with parturition.     

Pruteen in the diet of breeding pigs: Reproductive performance

Pruteen, a fermentation protein material produced by ICI, was tested at 8% inclusion as a replacement for all the soya-bean meal and fish-meal in the diet of sows in a multiple-generation breeding study. Parent sows on the two dietary treatments each produced six litters, and the three subsequent generations of sows reared from the F1A, F2A and F3A parities each produced three litters. Control and Pruteen-fed sows were housed and reared under identical conditions throughout the study.Replacement of all the non-cereal protein by Pruteen had no adverse effect on the health or overall reproductive performance of the sows or on the health or viability of the piglets. A total of over 5000 piglets were born to sows fed on the control and Pruteen-containing diets, and there were no differences between treatments in litter size and birth weight (Control: 10.6/litter, 1.32 kg; Pruteen: 10.9/littler, 1.35 kg), and weight at weaning at 3 weeks of age (Control: 8.2/litter, 5.26 kg; Pruteen: 8.4/litter, 5.19 kg).Weight gain of the sows in pregnancy was satisfactory and there was no effect of Pruteen on lactation performance, as shown by the mean sow weight loss in lactation (17 kg for both treatments) or the mean total litter weight at weaning (Control: 43.7 kg; Pruteen: 43.6 kg). The overall number of days from weaning to effective service (Control: 9.9; Pruteen: 8.5) was satisfactory.Pruteen proved to be a satisfactory ingredient in the diet of breeding pigs.     

Induction of parturition in swine with prostaglandin F(2)alpha, estradiol benzoate and oxytocin

Pregnant sows and gilts were administered either 0, 2.5, 5, 10 or 20 mg prostaglandin F(2)alpha (PGF(2)alpha) intramuscularly on Day 112 or 113 of gestation at 0800 h in an effort to induce parturition. The average interval from PGF(2)alpha injection to farrowing was 55.1 +/- 5.7, 29.4 +/- 3.1, 32.1 +/- 4.6, 27.8 +/- 1.8 and 26.9 +/- 1.1 h for 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 mg, respectively. All PGF(2)alpha treatments increased (P < 0.01) over controls the number of sows farrowing 23 to 33 h after injection. The average gestation length was significantly shorter in treated gilts; however, no detrimental effect on pig performance or pig survivability was observed. A second trial evaluated the effect of a 10-mg dose of PGF(2)alpha on the induction of parturition in sows in order to obtain a majority of sows farrowing within normal working hours (0700 to 1700 h). The interval from injection to farrowing was decreased (P < 0.05) by PGF(2)alpha treatment (66.2 +/- 5.3 vs 28.1 +/- 2.2 h). Fifty-seven percent (P < 0.05) of PGF(2)alpha-treated sows farrowed between 0700 and 1700 h as compared to 13.6% for control sows. A third trial was conducted to examine a sequential treatment of PGF(2)alpha and oxytocin to control the time of parturition more precisely. Sows receiving only 10 mg of PGF(2)alpha farrowed on an average 31.1 +/- 1.4 h after injection. The injection of 40 IU oxytocin 24 to 28 h after PGF(2)alpha decreased (P < 0.05) the interval from PGF(2)alpha to farrowing (28.1 +/- 0.9 h). The addition of oxytocin increased (P < 0.05) the number of sows farrowing within 3 h of injection (33 vs 86% for PGF(2)alpha and PGF(2)alpha + oxytocin treatments, respectively). A fourth trial was designed to determine if the addition of exogenous estradiol benzoate (EB) to a sequential treatment of PGF(2)alpha and oxytocin would improve the predictability and synchronization of the induced parturition. Sows were assigned to receive either saline, 10 mg PGF(2)alpha + 40 IU oxytocin or 10 mg PGF(2)alpha + 5 mg EB + 40 IU oxytocin. The addition of EB reduced (P < 0.01) the variance in the interval from oxytocin to farrowing and added precision to the predicted time of induced parturition.     

A cross-sectional study to collect risk factors associated with stillbirths in pig herds

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for stillborn piglets at herd level in commercial pig herds. A written questionnaire, containing semi-open questions directly or indirectly related to stillborn piglets, was sent to 250 randomly selected pig herds (>150 sows) in northern Belgium. In total 111/250 questionnaires were returned (response rate of 44.4%) and 107 were valid for analysis. The average reported frequency of stillbirth was 7.5% (S.D. 2.8%). The relationship between risk factors and stillbirths was evaluated with a generalized linear effects model with the percentage of stillborn piglets as outcome variable. Type of breed used on the farm was significantly (P < 0.01) associated with the percentage of stillborn piglets. A high temperature in the farrowing unit (≥22 °C compared to <22 °C) was associated with significantly (P < 0.01) more stillbirths, whereas showering sows with warm water before parturition resulted in significantly less stillbirths (5.8%) than no showering (7.7%) (P < 0.01) and was not significantly different from showering with cold water (7.0%) (P = 0.26). When supervision of farrowing was performed occasionally, significantly more stillbirths (8.1%) were observed in comparison with no attending to farrowing (6.5%) (P < 0.01) or frequent supervision of farrowing (6.9%) (P < 0.01). Significant interactions were found between breed and showering sows prior parturition or supervision of sows at parturition, and between temperature in the farrowing unit at parturition and showering procedure of the sows. In conclusion, this study has clearly demonstrated that breed is a major factor involved in the frequency of stillbirth. Additionally, some management practices before or at parturition may reduce the number of stillborn piglets.     

Colostrum production by sows: variability of colostrum yield and immunoglobulin G concentrations

Colostrum provides newborn piglets with energy, immunoglobulins and growth, thereby playing an essential role in piglet survival. However, colostrum yield and composition are highly variable among sows. Some of the factors involved in this variability have been identified. The aim of the study was to confirm previous findings on a large number of animals and to investigate other potential factors of variation, such as the process of farrowing and the morphological changes of the mammary epithelium that occur during the 24 h post partum. The experiment was conducted on 16 Large White (LW) and 56 Landrace (LR)×Large White (LR×LW) crossbred sows of mixed parities and their litters. Most farrowings were induced at 113 days of gestation and all farrowings were attended. Each piglet was weighed at birth and 24 h after farrowing started (t24). Colostrum ingestion by individual piglets was estimated using piglet weight gains from birth to t24. Colostrum production by sows was estimated by summing up colostrum intakes by each piglet of the litter. Colostrum was collected at the onset of farrowing (t0) and at t24 to determine concentrations of immunoglobulins G (IgG), Na and K. Analyses of correlations and multiple regressions were performed to identify the variables involved in variation of colostrum yield and IgG concentrations. Colostrum yield was not related to litter size and weight (P>0.1). It was negatively correlated with the number of stillborn piglets (r=-0.33, P=0.005) and within-litter variation of piglet birth weight (r=-0.24, P=0.04). It was not related to the Na/K ratio in the colostrum, which is an indicator of the integrity of the mammary epithelium. When sows were categorised according to their level of colostrum yield, sows that produced a low yield of colostrum had more stillborn piglets at birth than the other sows (P<0.05) and tended to have a longer birth interval during the early process of parturition (P<0.1). At t24, concentrations of IgG in the colostrum were positively correlated with the Na/K ratio in the colostrum (r=0.53, P<0.001), which indicates the concomitance of the cessation of IgG transfer to the colostrum and the changes in the morphology of the mammary epithelium. This study points out the need for future research on the role of the hormones involved in both the process of parturition and lactogenesis in the relationship between stillbirth, process of parturition and colostrum production.     

Hormonal and immunological changes in blood and mammary secretion in the sow at parturition

The purpose of the present study was to record possible variations of estradiol-17 beta (E2) and cortisol concentrations, and parameters related to granulocyte phagocytosis in mammary secretions from healthy sows at parturition. The study was comprised 8 primiparous sows (Landrace x Yorkshire). Blood and mammary secretion samples were collected twice daily from 3 d before (only blood) until 3 d after farrowing. Estradiol-17 beta and cortisol concentrations were determined in plasma and in cell-depleted skimmed mammary secretions. Phagocytic capacity of polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) was assessed in whole blood and in cell suspensions derived from mammary secretions. Opsonic activity was assessed in serum and in cell-depleted skimmed mammary secretions. The 2 assays were based on chemiluminescence. Estradiol-17 beta concentration in plasma decreased (P < 0.001) directly after parturition. In skimmed secretions, the highest E2 concentration was recorded in the first sample after parturition and decreased (P < 0.01) thereafter. The highest cortisol concentration in plasma was recorded in the evening before parturition (P < 0.01). In skimmed secretions, there was no significant variation in cortisol concentration. The concentrations of both steroid hormones were lower in mammary secretions than in plasma. The phagocytic capacity of PMN in blood and mammary secretion, expressed as peak chemiluminescence per PMN, showed no significant change. This was also true for the opsonic activity in serum. In skimmed secretions the opsonic activity increased (P < 0.01) after parturition. These data emphasize the differences between plasma and mammary secretion concentrations of steroid hormones as well as between systemic and mammary gland immune competence. Regarding the phagocytosis process in mammary secretions, the part directly related to the PMN function seemed not to be altered at parturition compared with later on in lactation, whereas the part related to opsonic activity seemed to be impaired at parturition. The latter may play a role in the development of coliform mastitis at this time.     

Some Factors Influencing the Losses of Pigs Prior to Weaning

Analyses of the records of 244 litters of purebred Yorkshire, Landrace, the crosses, backcrosses and crisscrosses of these two breeds were carried out to evaluate some of the factors influencing the losses of piglets prior to weaning. There were differences in percentage survival between mating systems, with crossbred Landrace x Yorkshire piglets showing the highest rate of survival.A direct relationship existed between the duration of farrowing and the incidence of stillbirths. The incidence of stillbirths was higher for male piglets than for female piglets.Litter size at birth and weight loss of sow from parturition to weaning were important factors in determining litter size at weaning. Litter size at birth however, exerted a more important influence on litter performance than weight loss. Age of sow had no significant effect on the number of piglets alive at weaning and implied that gilts were apparently as good mothers as sows. From computed least squares estimates, it was implied that in general, piglets of low birthweights had much less chance of survival than those born with heavier weights.