Search

The objective was to assess sows' lameness by measuring weight distribution on limbs using a force plate made up of 4 individual platforms each resting on 4 single-ended beam load cells. The weight was recorded at an average rate of 14 readings per s over a 15 min period. Ten sows (5 lame sows and 5 sound sows) were weighed twice on 2 different days to assess the repeatability of the measure. Sixty-one sows were then selected in 2 different sites and visually scored for lameness, using a 3-point scoring system (0 = normal gait; 1 = abnormal gait, and/or stiffness; and 2 = shortened stride, and/or the sow puts less weight or avoids putting weight on 1 leg). Various measures were recorded from each sow using the force plate (percentage of weight, the ratio between the weights applied by contralateral legs, weight shifting, and amplitude of weight bearing and weight removing), kinematics (speed, stride length, swing time, stance time, foot height, and carpal and tarsal joints angle average and amplitude), and accelerometers (time spent standing during 24 h, frequency of stepping behavior during feeding, and latency to lie down after feed delivery). The within-sow CV for each measure taken from the force plate were lower than 15%, which reflects a good repeatability. Among force plate measures, only the weight shifting frequency and the ratio between the weights applied by contralateral legs differed between lameness scores. Sows that scored 2 had a higher frequency of weight shifting for fore legs (P = 0.0003) and hind legs (P = 0.0007) than sows scored 0 and 1. The ratio between the weights applied by contralateral legs decreased with the increase of lameness score for the hind limbs (P = 0.014). However, these measures also differed between sites (P < 0.01). These differences may be due to various reasons, including but not limited to genetics and housing systems. Nevertheless, the results suggest that force plate measures such as the asymmetry in the weight applied between a pair of legs and weight shifting are good indicators of lameness. Multivariate analysis on fore and hind legs showed independency between variables related to animals in movement (measures from kinematics) and variables related to static animals (measures from the force plate and accelerometers). Therefore, both static and dynamic methods need to be used to detect various lame sows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many marine organisms, especially large whales that cannot be studied in laboratory settings, our ability to obtain basic behavioral and physiological data is limited, because these organisms occupy offshore habitats and spend a majority of their time underwater. A class of multisensor, suction-cup-attached archival tags has revolutionized the study of large baleen whales, particularly with respect to the predatory strategies used by these gigantic bulk filter feeders to exploit abundant oceanic resources. By integrating these data with those from other disciplines, researchers have uncovered a diverse and extraordinary set of underwater behaviors, ranging from acrobatic diving maneuvers to extreme feeding events during which whales engulf volumes of prey-laden water that are much larger than their own body. This research framework not only improves our knowledge of the individual performance and behavior of these keystone predators but also informs our ability to understand the dynamics of complex marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the amount training necessary for reliable data to be obtained. Thirty-one True Choice Genetics pigs (CG32 x EB5 (9 females, 7 males) and CG32 x EBX (8 females, 7 males) weighing 68 kg were used to determine changes in gait due to training. Pigs were individually walked across a 7.5 m pressure mat (GAIT4Dog®) every day on D1-D5 and then again on D8. Training was conducted using a sorting paddle as negative reinforcement (removing pressure) and positive punishment (adding pressure). Sessions were recorded on D1, D2, D4, and D8. Pigs walked across the mat for either 6 usable repetitions or for a maximum of 20 minutes. Stance time, swing time, stride length, percent stance, gait cycle, and velocity were determined for each day. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 PROC MIXED repeated measures model. There was a significant increase in velocity from D1 to D4 and a decrease on D8 (P < 0.001), which resulted in a decrease from D1 to D4 and an increase on D8 in swing time (P < 0.001), stance time (P < 0.001), cycle time (P < 0.001), and percent stance (P < 0.001). There were differences between females and males for self-selected velocity (P < 0.001), and stride length (P < 0.001). Females had a decreased cycle time (P < 0.001) and percent stance (P < 0.001). Differences between the EB5 and EBX sire lines were seen for rear swing (P < 0.001), front stance (P < 0.01), cycle time (front P < 0.02), and percent stance (front P < 0.01). Changes due to training reflect the loss of novelty to the mat due to repeat exposure. Differences due to sex and genetic line may be related to conformational differences. Velocity (cm/s) D1 D4 D8 Female Male EB5 EBX 180.3 196.81 188.67 197.35 182.75 187.75 192.35 Swing (s) Front 0.23 0.22 0.22 0.23 0.22 0.23 0.23 Rear 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.26 0.25 Stance (s) Front 0.26 0.22 0.24 0.22 0.25 0.24 0.23 Rear 0.23 0.19 0.21 0.19 0.22 0.21 0.21 Stride Length (cm) Front 83.49 84.59 84.24 85.84 82.71 83.77 84.78 Rear 83.28 84.36 84.01 85.65 82.46 83.59 84.52 Percent Stance (%) Front 50.92 49.38 49.92 48.48 51.84 50.65 49.67 Rear 45.69 43.11 44.38 42.41 45.87 43.65 44.63 Least square means of gait parameters for days, sex and sire lines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to isolate measurements in young pigs and monitor changes as the pigs grew. These values might be able to help pinpoint lameness prone animals and allow for their removal from the herd. Twenty-seven True Choice Genetics pigs (CG32xEB5 (9 females, 6 males) and G32 x EBX (6 females, 5 males) were randomly selected prior to 23 kg to evaluate changes in gait as pigs grow. Pigs were individually walked across a 7.5 m pressure mat (GAIT4Dog®) at 23, 45, 68, 91, 113 and 136 kg for 6 repetitions at each weight. Stance time, swing time, stride length, percent stance, gait cycle, and velocity were recorded and analyzed using SAS 9.4 PROC MIXED repeated measures model. Velocity decreased as pigs grew, (P < 0.03). There was an increase from 23 to 136 kg in cycle time for both the front and back legs (P < 0.0011). Stride length (P < 0.001), swing time (P < 0.001) and stance time (P < 0.001) both increased as the animals aged. Percent stance for both front and rear legs increased as the animal aged (P < 0.001). Compared to males, females had an increased velocity (P < 0.001), decreased cycle time (P < 0.001), increased stride length (P < 0.001), decreased stance time (P < 0.001) and decreased percent stance (P < 0.001). Compared to the EB5 sired pigs, the EBX sired pigs had increased velocity (P < 0.002), increased cycle time (front P < 0.03; rear P < 0.06), increased stride length (P < 0.001), increased swing time (P < 0.001), and decreased percent stance (front P< 0.01; rear P < 0.001). These data indicate that the gait of pigs changes with growth and there are differences in the gait due to sex and sire line. Velocity (cm/s) 23 kg 136 kg Female Male EB5 EBX 184.89 180.93 192.75 178.83 181.56 190.03 Front Swing (s) 0.21 0.23 0.23 0.23 0.22 0.23 Stance (s) 0.16 0.29 0.22 0.25 0.24 0.24 Stride Length (cm) 67.67 91.60 84.29 81.70 80.47 85.52 Percent Stance (%) 43.37 54.64 48.48 50.63 50.00 49.11 Rear Swing (s) 0.23 0.26 0.25 0.25 0.24 0.26 Stance (s) 0.14 0.27 0.20 0.22 0.22 0.21 Stride Length (cm) 67.66 91.14 84.01 81.48 80.28 85.22 Percent Stance (%) 37.14 49.78 44.06 45.28 45.83 43.50 Least square means of gait parameters for beginning and end weights, sex and sire lines [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]