Search

Simple Summary: Tail biting in pigs is an abnormal event where one pig engages in the biting, chewing, or oral manipulation of another pig's tail. The repeat biting of the wounded site can lead to pain, infection, and the possible mortality of the victim pig(s), which is why it is a serious issue in pork production. Tail biting is often difficult to prevent as there are various reasons why a particular pig may choose to exhibit this behavior. The aim of this review is to identify current decision support tools and other technological aids that can be used to predict the likelihood of a tail biting event. Additionally, we aim to understand how dependable these decision support tools are for predictive tail biting events by examining both the underlying model and data utilized for generating predictions. Tail biting (TB) in pigs is a complex issue that can be caused by multiple factors, making it difficult to determine the exact etiology on a case-by-case basis. As such, it is often difficult to pinpoint the reason, or set of reasons, for TB events, Decision Support Tools (DSTs) can be used to identify possible risk factors of TB on farms and provide suitable courses of action. The aim of this review was to identify DSTs that could be used to predict the risk of TB behavior. Additionally, technologies that can be used to support DSTs, with monitoring and tracking the prevalence of TB behaviors, are reviewed. Using the PRISMA methodology to identify sources, the applied selection process found nine DSTs related to TB in pigs. All support tools relied on secondary information, either by way of the scientific literature or expert opinions, to determine risk factors for TB predictions. Only one DST was validated by external sources, seven were self-assessed by original developers, and one presented no evidence of validation. This analysis better understands the limitations of DSTs and highlights an opportunity for the development of DSTs that rely on objective data derived from the environment, animals, and humans simultaneously to predict TB risks. Moreover, an opportunity exists for the incorporation of monitoring technologies for TB detection into a DST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglet vitality is becoming an increasingly important issue in hyper-prolific sows that give birth to larger litter sizes (>16 piglets), with lighter piglets, and longer farrowing durations ([58]). Keywords: colostrum; mammary gland; sow; postpartum dysgalactia syndrome; vitality EN colostrum mammary gland sow postpartum dysgalactia syndrome vitality 105 111 7 06/20/23 20230601 NES 230601 Implications Mammogenesis and first lactation performance are key for lifelong milk production in the sow. Mammary gland activation The reason why piglet vitality is so crucial for a successful sow lactation is because of the phenomenon of teat activation. Nursings in early lactation are most often initiated by the sow and in later lactation by the piglets and are followed by pre-ejection teat massage of the piglets ([53]). [Extracted from the article]

There are sex differences in behaviour with males tending to be more aggressive and less fearful than females. When females are treated with androgens they display more aggressive, male like, behaviours and this suggests that androgen exposure has a role in the development of aggression. Female pigs born into litters that are more than 60% male (male biased) are likely exposed to greater androgen concentrations in utero than female pigs born into litters that are greater than 60% female (female biased). We hypothesise that the proportion of males in the litter in utero affects female pig behaviour. We predict that gilts from male biased litters will be more aggressive and less anxious than gilts from female biased litters. The behaviour of females from male biased (n = 24) and female biased (n = 30) litters was assessed at day 11 and day 21 of life with an arena test, at weaning (28 days of life) by assessing fight number and duration as well as injury scores and at 16 weeks of age with a resident intruder test. In the day 21 arena test, the pigs from female biased litters took longer to emerge into the arena than pigs from male biased litters (1.13 ± 0.05 (42.2 s) vs. 1.32 ± 0.09 (15.5 s) respectively, P = 0.016). At weaning there was a higher scratch score for piglets from male biased litter (0.84 ± 0.2 vs 0.69 ± 0.15, P = 0.015) and this continued as a trend on the day following weaning (1.76 ± 0.10 vs 1.57 ± 0.13, P = 0.080). At 16 weeks of age in the resident intruder test 48% of gilts from male biased litters initiated a fight compared to 24% of gilts from female biased litters (P = 0.08). Our data suggest that the sex ratio of the birth litter can affect behaviour of gilts, potentially having long term implications for sow aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglet movement from one sow to another, or fostering, is required in modern pig farming but there is little available literature on the most effective strategy. In this review, we focus on the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for piglet survival and growth, and have identified six key principles. (1) Colostrum provides piglets with warmth, energy and immunity. It is most accessible during the first 12 h from the birth sow, therefore no piglet should be moved before this; (2) To ensure even intake of birth sow colostrum, techniques such as split suckling prior to piglet movement should be implemented; (3) Udder assessment for functional teats should occur at farrowing, with number of fostered piglets not exceeding teat number; (4) Primiparous sows should receive as many piglets as the udder allows to maximise mammary stimulation, although older parities should be assessed for rearing ability; (5) Piglet fostering should occur between 12 and 24 h and movement kept to a minimum to prevent transfer of disease; Litter outliers should be moved and relocated to a litter of similar size; (6) Piglet movement after 24 h should be minimised. When required, strategies such as nurse usage should be employed. These principles will result in improved farrowing house performance by increasing the litter weight weaned per sow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment investigated whether allopregnanolone, a neurosteroid metabolite from progesterone, modulates the stress response during early pregnancy. Twenty-five nulliparous sows (Sus scrofa) were allocated to one of three treatments: pregnant, ovariectomized or ovariectomized administered daily intravenously with alfaxalone as a synthetic allopregnanolone analog. On days 5, 12 and 19 of pregnancy, all sows were subjected to social stress by submitting them individually to a resident-intruder test, acting as the intruder. Blood samples were collected to analyze plasma progesterone, allopregnanolone, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentrations. On day 26, 10 sows across the three treatments were subjected to a dexamethasone suppression test followed by a corticotrophin-releasing hormone administration to test the functionality of their hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis through cortisol release. Pregnant sows returned more rapidly to baseline cortisol concentrations following the resident-intruder test (p = 0.006). However, there were no other differences in cortisol or ACTH concentrations according to treatment or day, or to the HPA responsivity test on day 26. Allopregnanolone concentration in pregnant sows was higher than in ovariectomized sows (p < 0.001), but stable during the first third of pregnancy. Allopregnanolone concentration was correlated with longer resident-intruder test duration (pregnant:r = 0.66,p = 0.0003; ovariectomized:r = 0.47,p = 0.03), reflecting lower aggressiveness, and with progesterone concentration (r = 0.25,p = 0.03). Alfaxalone administration raised plasma allopregnanolone concentration in alfaxalone-administered sows but resulted in little behavioral and physiological effects. These findings did not support the hypothesis that the stress response of the female pig changes in the first third of pregnancy. Allopregnanolone was associated with lower aggression in social encounters. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Weaning is a stressful time for piglets, often leading to weight loss and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. A leading cause for these post-weaning problems is enteric dysbiosis and methods to improve piglet health at this crucial developmental stage are needed. This study aimed to determine whether an enteric dysbiosis caused by weaning could be corrected via a faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from healthy piglets from a previous wean. Two or four focal piglets per litter were assigned to one of two treatments; FMT two days post weaning (n = 21; FMT) or a control which received saline two days post weaning (n = 21; CON). FMT consisted of homogenised donor faeces administered orally at 3 mL/kg. Weaning occurred at 18 days of age and weights and faecal samples were collected on days 18, 20, 24 and 35. 16S rRNA amplicon analysis was used to assess the faecal microbiota of piglets. FMT increased Shannon's diversity post weaning (p < 0.001) and reduced the scratch score observed at 24 days of age (p < 0.001). The bacterial populations significantly differed in composition at each taxonomic level. In FMT pigs, significant increases in potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli were observed. However, increases in beneficial bacteria Lactobacillus mucosae and genera Fibrobacteres and Bacteroidetes were also observed in FMT treated animals. To our knowledge, this is the first study to observe a significant effect on piglet faecal microbiota following a single FMT administered post weaning. Therefore, FMT post weaning can potentially alleviate enteric dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the swine industry, sows are selectively bred for larger litters so, theoretically, more pigs can be sold per year. As producers continue to increase the number of piglets born in a litter, it is necessary to review problems that can arise in larger litters, and whether these issues can be effectively managed and/or require pharmacological intervention. Additionally, this review will reflect on whether selecting sows for larger litter sizes is an ethical concern, regardless of how effectively it can be managed. As sows continue to be selected for greater prolificacy, it is important to review problems that arise in larger litters, and whether these issues can be appropriately managed. Although a proportion of piglets in larger litters can be born underweight, proper supervision around farrowing and adequate colostrum intake has the potential to improve the survival of low-birth-weight piglets and their ongoing growth to weaning. As larger litters can impart greater stress and discomfort on sows, implementing a low-stress environment leading up to parturition may improve sow performance and subsequent survival of piglets. Additionally, treating sows with anti-inflammatory compounds, either dietary or pharmacologically, shows some promise for alleviating sow discomfort and improving piglet survival in larger litters. Understanding that selecting sows for larger litters not only affects piglet survival but the well-being of the sow, the decision to continue selecting for larger litters, regardless of management strategies, remains a topic of ethical concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Piglet preweaning mortality is a major economic loss and welfare concern for the global pork industry, with the industry average sitting at approximately 15%. As such, novel methods for reducing this mortality are needed. Since research into the intestinal microbiota has provided advances in human health, in particular the impact of early life factors, it was the logical next step to synthesise the existing literature to determine the potential relevance to the pig industry. It is evident from the literature that this area of research provides promising results. However, a large gap within the literature currently exists within the lactation period in pigs. Since optimal development within early life is proving to be critical for human infants, it is crucial that further research is invested into understanding the impact of early life events on a piglet's microbiome. It is hoped that this review will enable access to critical information for those interested in the microbiome and its potential for improving herd health on the farm. The intestinal microbiota has received a lot of attention in recent times due to its essential role in the immune system development and function. Recent work in humans has demonstrated that the first year of life is the most critical time period for microbiome development with perturbations during this time being proven to have long term health consequences. In this review, we describe the literature surrounding early life events in humans and mice that contribute to intestinal microbiota development and function, and compare this to piglets predominantly during their lactation period, which focuses on the impact lactation management practices may have on the intestinal microbiota. Although extensive research has been conducted in this area in humans and mice, little research exists in pigs during perceivably the most critical time period of development, which is the lactation period. The research reviewed outlines the importance of appropriate intestinal microbiota development. However, further research is needed in order to understand the full extent routine farm practices have on a piglet's intestinal microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing stress resilience through the early life period in pigs could potentially improve pork quality. It was hypothesised that pigs receiving maternal contact or positive human contact during lactation would have improved carcass and pork quality. Seventy-nine mixed-sex pigs were selected from a 2 × 2 factorial randomised block design for treatments maternal contact (MC+) / reduced maternal contact (MC-); and positive human contact (HC+) / control (HC-). Modified farrowing crates were utilised to reduce maternal contact (MC-). Litters in the HC+ treatment received five minutes of daily positive human interaction (stroking). Treatments ceased at 22 days of age (weaning) and pigs were slaughtered after 21 weeks of age. The m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum pH was higher in HC+ than HC- pigs (P < 0.05) during chilling, from 90 min post slaughter. No HC effects (P > 0.05) were observed for cortisol or haptoglobin concentration, hot carcass weight, P2 backfat, carcass scratches, colour, drip loss, cook loss and shear force. MC+ tended (P < 0.086) to increase carcass weight, P2 and carcass scratch score compared to MC-, but no further impacts were observed. The impact of positive human contact during early life was observed 20+ weeks after treatment with reduced pH decline, potentially indicating a reduction in pre-slaughter stress, however there were no further impacts on pork quality. There is evidence that maternal contact is important for lifetime growth performance of pigs but the impacts on stress resilience are less apparent. • Evidence that positive human contact affected pork quality 20+ weeks after treatment. • Early life positive human contact increased pork pH. • Maternal contact tended to increase pork carcass weight and P2 backfat. • Implications for positive handling to improve lifetime stress resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]