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An accurate understanding of boar temperature preferences may allow the swine industry to design and utilize environmental control systems in boar facilities more precisely. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the temperature preferences of sexually mature Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire boars. Eighteen, 8.57 ± 0.10-mo-old boars ( N = 6 Duroc, 6 Landrace, and 6 Yorkshire; 186.25 ± 2.25 kg) were individually tested in thermal apparatuses (12.20 m × 1.52 m × 1.86 m) that allowed free choice of their preferred temperature within a 8.92 to 27.92 ºC range. For analyses, the apparatuses were divided into five thermal zones (3.71 m 2 /thermal zone) with temperature recorded 1.17 m above the floor in the middle of each zone. Target temperatures for thermal zones 1 to 5 were 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 ºC, respectively. All boars were given a 24-h acclimation phase followed by a 24-h testing phase within the thermal apparatuses. Daily feed allotments (3.63 kg/d) were provided to each boar and all boars were allowed to consume all feed prior to entering the thermal apparatus. Water was provided ad libitum within the thermal apparatuses with 1 waterer per thermal zone. During testing, boars were video recorded continuously to evaluate behavior (inactive, active, or other), posture (lying, standing, or other), and thermal zone the boar occupied. All parameters were recorded in 15 min intervals using instantaneous scan sampling. Data were analyzed using GLM in JMP 15. For the analyses, only time spent lying or inactive were used because they were observed most frequently (lying 80.02%, inactive 77.64%) and were deemed to be associated with comfort based on previous research. Percent time spent active (19.73%) or standing (15.87%) were associated with latrine or drinking activity and were too low to accurately analyze as an indicator of thermal preference. Breed did not affect temperature preference ( P > 0.05). A cubic regression model determined that boars spent the majority of their time inactive at 25.50 ºC ( P < 0.01) and lying (both sternal and lateral) at 25.90 ºC ( P < 0.01). These data suggest that boar thermal preferences did not differ by breed and that boars prefer temperatures at the upper end of current guidelines (10.00 to 25.00 ºC)., (Published by Oxford University Press for the American Society of Animal Science 2023.)

Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that performs the functions of increasing energy production as well as acting as an antioxidant for sperm cells. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the inclusion of carnitine in boar diets on semen output and quality. Sixty-four purebred and hybrid boars at a commercial boar stud were blocked by age and semen quality and randomly allotted to receive a daily 30 g top-dress of either soybean meal (CON) or soybean meal and 625 mg of L-Carnitine (CARN). Supplementation lasted for 12 weeks from May to July 2021 during which weekly semen collection was performed. Semen was evaluated in the stud for concentration and motility parameters using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Samples were shipped to Purdue University for detailed morphology, viability, and CASA analysis performed in samples stored at 17 °C for 5 days. PROC Mixed (SAS v 9.4) was used to analyze data, with boar nested within treatment used in repeated measures analysis. Semen quality estimates from the week before supplementation were used as covariates in the statistical model. Tukey-Kramer adjustment was used for means separation. Carnitine supplementation had no effects on total sperm produced ( P = 0.35). Percentage of motile sperm cells ( P = 0.63), morphologically normal sperm ( P = 0.42), viable sperm ( P = 0.43), or sperm with normal acrosomes ( P = 0.61) in the ejaculates were not different among treatments. Sperm kinematics in CARN ejaculates tended to have greater straight-line velocity and distance ( P = 0.06 and P = 0.07, respectively). There were several interactions of treatment and day of storage for the kinematic parameters. However, these interactions do not show observable trends for CARN to improve or depress sperm function. Overall, the inclusion of 625 mg/d of carnitine in the diet of boars for 12 weeks had no effects on sperm output or quality with minor changes to sperm cell kinematics., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Historically, sows have been induced to farrow using prostaglandin followed by an injection of oxytocin 24 h later. Benefits of induction can include decreased rate of stillbirths, dystocia, and postnatal mortality along with increasing the likelihood of farrowings being attended. Several studies have indicated that oxytocin administration may negatively impact fetal oxygen supply during parturition, potentially from umbilical cords breaking prior to birth, resulting in increased preweaning mortality. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if various induction protocols impact umbilical cord breakage and fetal blood parameters at birth. Fifty-eight primiparous and multiparous sows were assigned to one of three treatments: no induction (NO; n = 24) or 2 cc prostaglandin administered on day 114 of gestation followed by either 1 cc of oxytocin 24 h later (OXY24; n = 13) or 0.5 cc of oxytocin at 6 and 12 h after prostaglandin (OXY6; n = 21). Details of the farrowing process were recorded, and umbilical cord blood was collected from piglets at birth and evaluated on an iSTAT machine using an Abbott EC8+ test cartridge. There were no differences in total born, number born alive, stillborns, mummies, or assistance needed during farrowing. Induced sows were more likely to farrow by day 115 compared to naturally farrowing sows ( P = 0.02). Sows in the OXY24 treatment tended to have longer farrowings when compared to both NO and OXY6 (4.8 vs. 3.6 vs. 3.9 h; P = 0.09). Colostrum from OXY6 sows tended to have a greater amount of lactose present than NO and OXY24 ( P = 0.05). Colostrum from sows with longer gestation lengths had a higher percentage of fat ( P = 0.03). Piglets born from NO sows had higher base excess, total carbon dioxide, and glucose, which suggests that these piglets had prolonged moments of asphyxiation ( P < 0.01). OXY24 piglets had the lowest blood pH which is indicative of hypoxic birthing conditions ( P < 0.01). Preweaning mortality was driven largely by a low birth weight coupled with low colostrum intake ( P = 0.03). All piglets, regardless of treatment, displayed signs of stress during farrowing. Induction did not influence preweaning mortality but has the potential to decrease the incidence by increasing attended farrowings., (© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Selection of replacements for the sow herd is one of the most important facets in swine production. Although our current methods of selection are effective, there is still a large amount of variation in sow reproductive performance traits such as pigs per sow per year (PSY). Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine if on-farm phenotypic traits at 21 d postnatal (PN) or perinatal environmental factors could predict sow reproductive performance. Data were prospectively collected from 2,146 gilts born on a commercial sow production facility and included birth and weaning weights, vulva length and width at 21 d PN, birth and nursing litter size, days nursed, average daily gain from birth to weaning, and age at first estrus. Of the initial animals, 400 (17%) were selected for the sow herd, 353 remained after removal of animals culled for non-reproductive reasons. Animals were assigned to 1 of 5 reproductive performance categories based on observation of estrus or pigs per sow per year (PSY) across two farrowings: High Fertility (HF; 23%; n = 82; ≥26 PSY), Middle Fertility (MF2; 12%; n = 43; 20-25 PSY), Low Fertility (MF3; 15%; n = 54; <20 PSY), Infertile-Estrus (IFe; 10%; n = 36; estrus, no pregnancy), and Infertile-No Estrus (IFno; 39%; n = 138; no estrus, no pregnancy). Generalized linear model analysis indicated vulva width ( P = 0.03) was related to PSY, however, it only explained 1.5% of the total variation in PSY. To determine if preweaning variables were predictive of gilt fertility outcome, animals were grouped as those that became pregnant ( n = 179) or not ( n = 174). Vulva width tended to be greater in fertile animals versus infertile ( P = 0.07). Binomial regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between vulva width and gilt fertility, however, this relationship is not strong enough to make sow herd selection decisions., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Survival, feed efficiency, growth, and fertility of swine are dependent on colostrum intake in the first 24 h after birth. This study determined the effects of three doses of a homogeneous colostrum sample on 24-h body weight, rectal temperature (RT), immunocrit, and growth and survival to postnatal day (PND) 7. Three female piglets were selected from eight litters ( n = 24 piglets) at birth, removed from their litter, and bottle-fed 10% (COL10, n = 8), 15% (COL15, n = 8), or 20% (COL20, n = 8) colostrum based on birth weight over 12 bottle feedings every 2 h. At 24 h, piglets were weighed, RT recorded, and blood was collected to measure immunocrit. Piglets were returned to the litter of origin, and weight was measured daily until PND 7. Colostrum dose had an overall effect on weight gain at 24 h, RT, immunocrit, and growth to PND 7 ( P < 0.05). Piglets in the 20% BrW colostrum group had greater weight gain, RT, and immunocrit at 24 h than COL10 piglets ( P < 0.05), but these variables were not different between COL15 and the other treatments. Despite no difference in average daily gain after being returned to their litters, the greater weight ( P < 0.05) in COL20 compared to COL10 and COL15 was sustained over 7 d. Seven piglets in each treatment survived to PND 7. This model using standardized doses of a homogeneous colostrum sample enables controlled studies aimed at understanding the role of 24-h colostrum intake on piglet development., (© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Piglet crushing is a devastating welfare concern on swine farms; however, some sows appear unresponsive to a piglet's call. Sow hearing ability is rarely considered despite the extensive body of research performed on crushing. In this study, pigs of four age groups (weaning, n = 7; gilts, n = 5; 2nd and 3rd parity, n = 5; 5th parity and up, n = 5) were anesthetized and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were performed to measure if pig hearing diminishes with age in a mechanically ventilated barn. Before testing, pigs were placed in a sound dampening box. ABRs were performed on animals using 1,000 clicks at two decibel (dB) levels: 90 and 127 dB sound pressure level. Latencies and amplitudes of waves I-V were measured and interpeak latencies for waves I-III, III-V, and I-V were calculated. Five pigs (three 2nd and 3rd parity, and two 5th parity and above) had no detectable waves at either decibel. Sows in 2nd and 3rd parities had very few distinguishable waves, with only wave I and II present in two sows. Amplitudes of waves I and V increased with increased dB ( P < 0.001). Increasing dB decreased the latency of each of the recorded waves ( P < 0.01). The vast majority of commercial swine are raised in noisy barn environments; it is possible that these environments directly affect the ability for pigs to hear and normal hearing development in this population of animals. Hearing has a significant effect on swine welfare as hearing is integral to successful animal handing and during moments of animal-to-animal communication. Hearing is a considerable welfare issue on farms and ways to decrease pig hearing loss should be considered., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Despite much interest in sow welfare, the impact of the acoustic environment on sow reactivity to her piglets is rarely considered. The objective of this study was to understand the impact of noise produced by mechanical ventilation and other sows on a sow's reactivity to her piglets. Sows were farrowed in one of three environments: 1) with eight other sows exposed to constant fan noise (GROUP-FAN; n = 10), 2) alone with fan noise present (ISO-FAN; n = 10), and 3) alone without fans running (ISO-QUIET; n = 10). Sows were subjected for 5 min to a piglet removal event (REMOVAL) by an unknown handler twice, at 24 and 48 h postfarrowing. During a REMOVAL, sows were observed via video recording for changes in posture, eating and drinking behavior, and head orientation. Audio was recorded to quantify vocalizations by the sow. Once piglets were returned, sows underwent further behavior observations for 10 min (RETURN), resulting in approximately 15 min of total video observation. Sows were classified as young (second and third parity) and old (fifth parity and older). The YOUNG sows tended to be more Alert (looking toward the handler or their piglets) during REMOVE than OLD sows ( P = 0.07; 2.01 and 1.33, respectively). The ISO-FAN sows vocalized the loudest during REMOVAL ( P < 0.001) with ISO-QUIET sows performing the quietest vocalizations (GROUP-FAN: 72.22 ± 1.06 dB; ISO-FAN: 73.61 ± 1.07 dB; ISO-QUIET: 67.41 ± 0.99 dB). During RETURN, YOUNG sows spent more time sitting than OLD sows ( P < 0.01; 7.48 ± 1.6% and 0.91 ± 1.8%, respectively). The ISO-QUIET sows tended to have more posture changes during the RETURN with ISO-FAN having the least changes ( P = 0.06; GROUP-FAN: 1.23 ± 0.4; ISO-FAN: 0.44 ± 0.3; ISO-QUIET: 1.61 ± 0.4). Finally, sows decreased the amount of time Alert in the second RETURN ( P = 0.03; first: 3.9 ± 0.6%; second: 2.5 ± 0.6%). Overall, sows acclimated to the removal and return events with decreased vocalizations and decreased Alert behaviors in the second REMOVAL and RETURN. Additionally, YOUNG sows performed more active behaviors than OLD sows, indicating that sows may become less interested in or cannot hear their piglets as they age. Finally, there is some indication that ventilation presence has an effect on sow-piglet communication with ISO-FAN sows having the loudest vocalizations when compared with sows without ventilation noise, indicating that ventilation noise may be a possible competitor with a sow's ability to communicate with her piglets., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the use of supplemental betaine in commercially available semen extenders. In experiment 1 ( Exp1 ), semen was collected from six mature boars once weekly for 6 wk (3 wk in summer and 3 wk in winter) and diluted into a commercial extender with the following betaine concentrations: 0, 51, 102, and 205 mM. Semen samples were analyzed on the day of collection ( D0 ) and after 72 h of storage ( D3 ). In experiment 2 ( Exp2 ), semen was collected from four mature boars for 3 wk and was diluted into three commercially available semen extenders (short term, ST ; long term with bovine serum albumin, BSA; and long term without BSA, LT ), with and without supplemental betaine (0 and 70 mM), and analyzed on D0 and D3. Semen was analyzed using computer-assisted sperm assessment (Ceros II, IMV) and morphology using phase contrast microscopy. In Exp1, total motility on D0 was less for 0 mM than that for 102 mM ( P = 0.038) and was substantially reduced for 205 mM compared with 102 mM ( P < 0.001). Supplementation with 205 mM betaine resulted in a significant reduction in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm ( P < 0.001). In Exp2, 70 mM betaine reduced the total motility compared with 0 mM ( P = 0.010) but did not impact percentage of normal sperm ( P = 0.942). The use of supplemental betaine may partially alleviate the dilution effect on sperm, though boar genetics may impact its efficacy. Further research is needed to make a definitive conclusion., (© The Author(s) 2018. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science.)

Forty-eight primiparous and diparous Angus-Simmental cows were fed 1 of 3 diets; 1) total mixed ration (TMR) based of corn silage and corn stalks (CON), 2) TMR with 3.3 kg/d DM of corn gluten feed (CGF; MID), or 3) TMR with 6.7 kg/d DM of CGF (HIGH). From 11 ± 5 days post-partum (DPP) to 105 ± 5 DPP, all diets were formulated to be isocaloric for a post-partum ADG targeted at 0.22 kg, but CP exceeded requirements in both CGF diets. Blood samples were collected from cows starting at trial initiation until estrous synchronization for determination of plasma progesterone concentration (7 d intervals), as an indicator of resumption of cyclicity, as well as for plasma urea nitrogen (PUN; 21 d intervals). Milk production was assessed at 62 ± 5 DPP via a weigh-suckle-weigh procedure, and milk samples were collected at 64 ± 5 DPP for composition analysis. A 5 d Co-Synch + Control Internal Drug Release (CIDR) protocol was used and cows were bred by timed artificial insemination (TAI). Trans-rectal ultrasonography was used for the evaluation of the dominant follicle at TAI, as well as pregnancy diagnosis. Nineteen days post-TAI, cow and calf pairs were managed as a single group until weaning (205 ± 5 DPP) and exposed to natural mating for a total of a 60 d breeding season. Dam ADG was not significantly different among treatments ( P = 0.849), but, DMI decreased with increasing CGF in the diet ( P = 0.049). There were no differences in final BW ( P = 0.779), however, final BCS was lower in the HIGH treatment when compared to the MID ( P = 0.042). Milk production ( P = 0.457), as well as, milk components ( P ≥ 0.188) were not different, with the exception of milk fat, which tended to be greater in the HIGH treatment ( P = 0.059) when compared to the MID. A treatment by week interaction ( P < 0.0001) was found for PUN concentrations. Concentrations were greater in the HIGH treatment compared to the MID treatment at 63, 84, and 105 d, and greater than the CON treatment at all time points except d-42. There were no differences in resumption of cyclicity ( P = 0.419), dominant follicle ( P = 0.648), or TAI conception rates ( P = 0.761). However, season long pregnancy rates were significantly greater in the CGF treatments when compared to the CON ( P = 0.009). In summary, feeding high or intermediate amounts of CGF neither has a positive nor negative effect on TAI conception rates of beef cows, however, it positively affected season long pregnancy.