PSV-7 Effects of drying and oxygenation of piglets at birth on rectal temperatures in the early post-natal period

Piglets often experience hypothermia early after birth. Previous research has suggested that drying piglets and administration of oxygen (a potential treatment for asphyxiation) at birth may increase post-natal rectal temperatures. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of drying and administering oxygen at birth on piglet rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study, conducted at a commercial facility, used a CRD with 42 sows/litters randomly allotted at start of farrowing to 3 treatments (applied at birth): Control (no drying or oxygenation); Dried (using a cellulose-based desiccant); Dried+Oxygen [dried and placed in a chamber (40% oxygen) for 20 min]. At birth, piglets were weighed and uniquely identified. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a subsample of litter. The statistical model included effects of treatment, time of measurement, and the interaction. Both the Dried and Dried+Oxygen treatments had greater (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than the Control between 20 and 120 min. However, the Dried+Oxygen treatment had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than the Dried treatment between 20 and 60 minutes. Temperatures at 1440 min were lower (P < 0.05) for the Dried+Oxygen than the other treatments; however, differences were small. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth increased rectal temperatures over the first 2 h after birth. The combination of drying piglets at birth and placement in an oxygen chamber for 20 min was less effective at moderating post-natal temperature changes than drying alone. Further research on piglet oxygenation is necessary to understand the reason for these reduced temperatures, and whether this treatment affects pre-weaning mortality. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.