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International interest in loose-housed farrowing is growing and there are ongoing discussions within the European Union (EU) on new legal requirements. However, there is a lack of empirical data on loose-housed farrowing pen sizes and sow dimensions in commercial production. The aim of this study was to map and describe sow size and loose-housing farrowing pen size on commercial piglet-producing farms in Sweden. The study included 146 sows and 51 pen types on 35 medium sized to large Swedish piglet-producing farms (ranging from 106 to 1300 sows in production). Sow length ranged from 129 to 238 cm (mean ± SD 191.3 ± 19.3 cm) and sow height from 74 to 133 cm (86.7 ± 7.7 cm). Floor space occupied by the sow when lying down (length x height) ranged from 1.0 to 3.2 m 2 (1.7 ± 0.3 m 2 ). Pen length ranged from 259 to 415 cm (315.1 ± 24.3 cm), pen width from 188 to 245 cm (207.0 ± 10.7 cm), total pen area from 5.7 to 8.9 m 2 (6.5 ± 0.5 m 2 ), piglet corner area from 0.5 to 1.8 m 2 (1.1 ± 0.4 m 2 ) and area available for the sow (total area - piglet corner area) from 3.9 to 6.4 m 2 (5.4 ± 0.6 m 2 ). These results show that there is substantial variation in sow, pen and piglet corner size on commercial piglet-producing farms in Sweden. This poses a risk of mismatches between sow and pen size (pens too short in relation to sow dimensions), especially for older sows. These findings are of practical significance for animal welfare and production and emphasise the importance of designing loose-housed pens adapted to future sow, litter and piglet size., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Contents In recent decades, wild boars ( Sus scrofa) have increased in numbers and distribution in Europe. Compared to other wild ungulates of similar body size, wild boars have a high reproductive capacity. To increase the knowledge of wild boar reproduction, the objective of this study was to investigate characteristics of reproductive organs, and to provide information on the occurrence of abnormalities in reproductive organs from free-ranging female wild boars. Between December 2011 and December 2015, reproductive organs from female wild boars (>30 kg body weight), were collected during hunting in four Swedish counties at estates where supplementary feeding was applied. The organs were macroscopically examined and measured. The stage of the reproductive cycle was defined according to the ovarian structures and in relation to uterus characteristics. Observed abnormalities were noted. The results from 569 animals that met the requirements to be included in this study showed significant differences in weight and length of the uterus between the various reproductive stages. Sampling region had significant effect on these differences. Abnormalities in the reproductive organs were present in approximately 10% of the examined animals. The prevalence of abnormalities increased significantly with age and was significantly affected by sampling region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piglet survival is the outcome of complex interactions between the sow, the piglet and their environment. In order to facilitate nest-building and to provide a suitable environment for the newborn piglets, a strategic method to supply loose housed sows with large quantities of straw at farrowing has been developed by Swedish piglet-producing farmers. The objectives of this cohort study were to use post-mortem findings to assess the causes of death and to quantify the effect of a large quantity of straw provided before farrowing compared to limited small daily amounts on stillbirths, post-mortem findings in piglets dying within 5 days after birth and the pre-weaning mortality. On each of four commercial piglet-producing farms in South-West Sweden, one batch of sows was studied during two consecutive lactations. At inclusion, sows were randomly assigned to two treatment groups, and sows remaining in the batch during the next lactation switched treatment group. In the STRAW group (n=181 litters) sows were provided with 15-20 kg of chopped straw 2 days prior to the calculated date of farrowing. Sows in the CONTROL group (n=182 litters) received 0.5-1 kg of chopped straw on a daily basis plus about 2 kg for nest-building when the stockperson judged the sow to be about to farrow. After onset of farrowing, additionally 1-2 kg was given. Post-mortem examination was performed in all piglets that died within 5 days after birth (n=798). The three major post-mortem findings were starvation (34%) crushing by the sow (28%), and enteritis (24%). In conclusion, strategic use of large quantities of straw reduced the number of stillborn piglets per litter by 27% (p=0.007). Under the conditions studied, the pre-weaning mortality of liveborn piglets was not affected by treatment; however, the distribution of post-mortem findings differed with fewer piglets dying due to starvation and more due to crushing and enteritis in STRAW litters., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The article presents the consensus paper of the attendees as an outcome pf the conference on pig-to man islet transplant summit happened in Stockholm, Sweden last June 4-5 2007. It lists 8 manifestations and guiding protocols respecting the pig-to-human islet xenotransplantation. Part of their manifestation states that adult, neonatal and fetal pigs are the source of viable islet products which if transplanted in a sufficient quantity, could restore normoglycemia for diabetic recipients.

The author estimates that the cost of swine production in the United States would increase by > $1 billion if the Swedish deep-bedded system were adopted as the only system in this country. The question is whether the added cost results in proportionately improved pig welfare.

Eighteen crossbred boars, three siblings from each of six litters, were distributed randomly among three groups after weaning. The 'Natural long-day' group was housed in a standard room with windows, whereas the 'Artificial long-day' and 'Artificial short-day' groups were housed in light-sealed rooms and under an artificial light regimen (1400 lx). In spring (16-17 hr of light) plasma levels of melatonin and cortisol were measured in samples collected hourly for 24 hr. Two commercial melatonin radioimmunoassays with preassay diethyl ether extraction were compared. Only the assay from Bühlmann Laboratories AG showed low to undetectable melatonin levels during the light-phase and was used for further analysis. Dark-phase melatonin concentrations were higher than light-phase melatonin concentrations (P < 0.001). Dark-phase melatonin concentrations were higher in the 'Natural long-day' group than in the 'Artificial long-day' and the 'Artificial short-day' groups (P < 0.001). Sire had a significant effect on dark-phase melatonin concentrations (P < 0.01), but not on light-phase levels. Cortisol concentrations were higher during the light-phase than during the dark phase, and light-phase cortisol concentrations were higher in the 'Natural long-day' group than in the 'Artificial long-day' and the 'Artificial short-day' groups (P < 0.01). This study showed that peripubertal boars express a typical circadian melatonin rhythm under both artificial light regimens and in standard pig stable environment. Natural photoperiod and indoor lighting seem to interact in shaping the melatonin profile in standard stable environment. The great individual variation in the amplitude of the dark-phase melatonin levels could in this study be explained by the different sires.

The frequency of the dominant RN- allele (Rendement Napole) was estimated in purebred Swedish Hampshire pigs (n = 208) by using the estimated glycogen content in the longissimus muscle at slaughter (glycolytic potential; GP). Carriers (n = 177) and noncarriers (n = 31) of the RN- allele were compared with purebred Swedish Yorkshire (Y, n = 208) and Swedish Landrace (L, n = 114) pigs with respect to GP and carcass composition. Technological meat quality was compared between the RN phenotypes from the Hampshire breed and Yorkshire pigs. The distribution of GP deviated from a normal distribution in all three breeds. Hampshire pigs with GP > or = 183 micromol lactate equivalents per gram wet weight were regarded as carriers of the RN- allele (RN-/RN-, or RN-/rn+), and those constituted 85% of all Hampshire pigs evaluated, giving a frequency of .61 for the dominant allele (RN-). The RN- carriers had higher GP than noncarriers, Landrace, and Yorkshire pigs, but noncarriers and Landrace did not differ regarding GP. The two RN phenotypes did not differ in carcass composition, but the carriers were leaner than Landrace and Yorkshire, with larger proportions of meat plus bone in ham and back. Noncarriers and Yorkshire did not differ in leanness, but both these groups were leaner than Landrace. The RN- carriers had lower Napole yield (cured cooked muscle) and higher drip loss than noncarriers and Yorkshire, but in comparison with noncarriers they also had lower shear force values. In conclusion, the frequency of the RN- allele is high in purebred Swedish Hampshire. Most of the effects of the allele on technological meat quality (i.e., ultimate pH, water-holding capacity, and technological yield) found in crossbred pigs seem also to be consistent for purebred pigs. However, the RN- allele exerted less influence on meat content in purebred pigs.