Body composition and blood parameters of newborn piglets from Alentejano and conventional (Large White × Landrace) genotype

This study aimed to compare the body composition and some blood parameters [(glucose, albumin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)] of newborn piglets farrowed by unselected Alentejano (AL) or conventional genotype [Large- White Landrace (LL)]. Carcasses (12 of each genotype) and blood samples were obtained from a total of 34 litters (18 AL, 16 LL). Gestation length was 4d shorter in AL sows compared with LL sows. When adjusted for birth weight, carcasses of AL piglets showed higher percentages of dry matter (P < 0.05) and crude protein (P < 0.01) and tended to have higher lipid content (P = 0.091) than carcasses of LL piglets. Relative to body weight, the AL piglets had heavier livers (P < 0.05) than LL piglets but glycogen content was similar in both genotypes. Longissimus dorsi muscle of AL piglets contained more protein (P < 0.01), but glycogen, DNA and RNA contents were similar in both genotypes. The blood from the AL piglets had higher levels of glucose (P < 0.01), albumin (when adjusted for birth weight) (P<0.05) and IGF-1 (P < 0.05) than blood from the LL piglets. On the bases of body composition and studied blood parameters, AL piglets seem to be more mature at birth than LL piglets despite a shorter gestation lenght

Comparative study on colostrum production and colostrum composition in Alentejano Swine Breed and LW x LR sows - Preliminary results

This study aimed at comparing the colostrum composition and production of Alentejano Swine Breed (AL) to modern sows (LW x LR) (LL). Ten sows from each genotype were used. All farrowings were attended. Colostrum samples were collected at birth of the first piglet and at regular intervals during 36 h after the onset of farrowing. One sample of milk was also collected at d 15 of lactation. Piglets were weighed at birth and at 24 h of age. AL sows had lower gestation length (p < 0.001) and litter size (p < 0.05). Piglets from AL sow were lighter at birth (p < 0.001), gained less weight (p < 0.001) and consumed less colostrum (p < 0.001) than LL piglets between birth and 24 h of age. AL sows produced less colostrum (p < 0.001) than LL sows. Within each genotype colostrum consumption of piglets was dependent on birth weight (p < 0.001). Production of colostrum was dependent on litter weight (piglets born alive) at birth but not on litter size. Mortality rate between birth and weaning averaged 24.3% for AL piglets and 14.3% for the LL piglets, with most of losses occurring within 3 days after birth. In both genotypes, piglets dying before weaning were lighter at birth and consumed less colostrum than survivors. Further studies are required to determine the respective role of birth weight and colostrum consumption in post-natal mortality and to determine the immune quality of colostrum

Studies on growth rates in pigs and the effect of birth weight

End of project reportThe purpose of this study was to assess some environmental and management factors that affect growth performance on commercial pig units. In experiment 1, a survey was carried out on 22 pig units of known growth performance in south-west Ireland to compare management factors between those showing poor and good growth rates. Low growth rate appears to be due to the cumulative effect of a combination of factors. Experiment 2 was conducted to determine the effects of providing an additional feeder on performance of weaned piglets. No benefits were recorded. Feed consumed from the additional feeder was a replacement for feed that otherwise would have been consumed from the control hopper feeder. Experiment 3 was designed to determine if pig performance and efficiency of growth were affected by weight at birth and at weaning. Lightweight pigs showed inferior growth performance up to the finisher period. Although they compensated some of the inferior growth towards the time of slaughter, they never reached the weights of the heavy birth-weight animals. Males were either significantly heavier or tended to be heavier than females throughout. There was no significant difference between the sexes in the number of days to slaughter. Light and heavy pigs did not differ in the levels of IGF-1 in their blood plasma; however lightweight pigs had significantly lower IgG preweaning. Experiment 4 aimed to determine whether piglet birth weight influenced growth performance, plasma IGF-1 concentrations and muscle fibre characteristics at day 42 of life. At slaughter (Day 42) light birth weight pigs were significantly (P < 0.001) lighter. Plasma IGF-1 concentration was lower by 28% (P=0.06) in light pigs. Muscle fibre cross sectional area and total fibre number were not significantly different between groups. This study should be repeated with bigger numbers

Composición corporal y parámetros sanguíneos de lechones Alentejanos y Large White × Landrace recién nacidos

This study aimed to compare the body composition and some blood parameters [(glucose, albumin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)] of newborn piglets farrowed by unselected Alentejano (AL) or conventional genotype [(Large-White × Landrace (LL)]. Carcasses (12 of each genotype) and blood samples were obtained from a total of 34 litters (18 AL, 16 LL). Gestation length was 4d shorter in AL sows compared with LL sows. When adjusted for birth weight, carcasses of AL piglets showed higher percentages of dry matter (PEl objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la composición corporal y los parámetros sanguíneos [albúmina, glucosa y factor de crecimiento insulínico tipo 1 (IGF-1)] de lechones recién nacidos procedentes de cerdas de raza no seleccionada Alentejana (AL) y de genotipo convencional [(Large-White × Landrace (LL)]). Se analizaron muestras de sangre y canal (12 de cada genotipo) de un total de 34 camadas (18 AL y 16 LL). Las cerdas AL presentaron gestaciones 4 días más cortas que las cerdas LL. Cuando se ajustaron para el peso al nacimiento, las canales de los lechones AL presentaron mayores porcentajes de materia seca (

Effects of mean weight of uniform litters on sows and piglets performance

This study aimed to determine the effects of uniform litters of different mean birth weights on colostrum production of sows and piglets performance. The study involved 78 multiparous sows from a commercial lean genotype and their piglets. Simultaneous farrowings were supervised and at birth each piglet was identified, weighed (±1g) and put in box under a heat lamp. After farrowings completion and depending on the measured weights, the piglets were then divided in experimental litters of 12 piglets each of uniform light (UL, CV=9.8%, n=27), uniform average (UA, CV=8.2%, n=23) or uniform heavy (UH, CV=8.6%, n=28) piglets and allowed to suckle. Piglets were re-weighed at 24h and 21d of life and deaths registered. Colostrum intake (CI) of the piglets was estimated using the Devillers et al. (2004) equation. Litter types were compared by ANOVA with batch as random factor. Mean weights of litters were all different (P<0.001), UL=1136±23g (SEM), UA=1415±25g and UH=1649±20g. Colostrum yield (CY) of sows was positively related to litter total weight at birth (R2=0.30, P<0.001). The CY of UA and UH sows was similar (4.8±0.2kg and 5.2±0.1kg, respectively, P=0.32) and both higher (P<0.001) than CY of UL sows (3.9±0.1kg). The CI of UA and UH litters was similar (400±14g and 436±12g, respectively, P=0.31) and both higher (P<0.001) than on UL litters (335±13g). The intra-litter CV of CI was similar between groups averaging 24%. The mortality rate of piglets until 21d was not different between litter types averaging 9.15%. The piglets weights at 21d were similar (P=0.11) in UA (6.4±0.2kg) and UH (6.7±0.1kg) litters and both higher (P=0.01) than in UL litters (5.6±0.2kg). It was concluded that CY of sows is dependent on the total weight of the suckling litter and that the mean weight of piglets of uniform litters influences the CI and the weaning weight but not their survival

Relationship between birth order and birth weight of the pig

The objective of this study was to determine whether birth weight of the pig is related to its birth order. The study involved 292 sows from 2 genotypes (Large White x Landrace crossbred (LL), n= 247 and Alentejano (AL), n=45) of mixed parity and their piglets. Most sows farrowed naturally. Each piglet was identified, weighed (± 1g) (mummies excepted) and its birth order (BO) recorded within 2 min of birth. A total of 3418 LL and 375 AL piglets were born of which 43 and 7 were mummified, and 205 and 6 were stillborn, respectively. Number of total born (TB) and born alive piglets (BA) per litter ranged from 6 to 23 (mean, 13.85 ± 0.19 (se)) and from 6 to 22 (mean, 12.84 ± 0.17), and from 4 to 13 (mean, 8.33 ± 0.31) and from 4 to 12 (mean, 8.04 ± 0.31) in LL and AL litters, respectively. Within-litter regression was used to determine the relationship between BO and birth weight (PASW Statistics, version 18.0, 2009). To compare litters of different sizes, BO was expressed as relative BO (RBO) calculated as RBO = (BO-1) / (TB-1). The slopes of the regression lines relating birth weight of TB or BA piglets to RBO were positive and similar in both genotypes (P>0.50). The common slopes of the regression line relating birth weight of TB and BA piglets to RBO were: bTB = 70 ± 14 (g) RBO (P<0.0001, R2= 0.007) and bBA = 81 ± 14 (g) RBO (P<0.0001; R2= 0.009), respectively. Results indicated that birth weight of BA piglets increases by 0.81g per one percent increase in RBO. It was concluded that RBO explained a small percentage of the total variability found in piglet birth weight

Effect of litter birth weight standardization before first suckling on colostrum intake, passive immunization, pre-weaning survival and growth of the piglets

Within-litter variation in birth weight is a relevant factor in pig production. This study aimed at comparing preweaning mortality, colostrum intake (CI), passive immunization, and growth of piglets from litters of uniform (UN) or heterogeneous (HET) birth weights. The study included 52 multiparous sows (Large White × Landrace)and their litters. Two types of litters were constituted based on birth weight, namely: UN or HET, the control group, using piglets from two to three sows farrowing approximately at the same time. At birth, piglets were weighed, identified, and placed in a box under an IR lamp. At the end of farrowing, piglets were re-weighed and allotted to groups UN or HET (12 per litter) with average weights of 1394 and 1390 g, respectively, and allowed to suckle (time 0). They were re-weighed 24 h later to estimate CI and sows' colostrum yield. At time 0, the average intra-litter CV (%) inweight of experimental litters were 9.3±0.8 (SEM) and 27.8±0.7 in groups UN and HET, respectively (P<0.001). At 2 days of age, blood samples were taken from the piglets of 11 litters five UN and six HET) and serum Immunoglobulin G(IgG) contents were determined. Mean CI/piglet/litter was similar in both groups, that is, 415 ± 13 in UN and 395 ± 13 g in HET (P = 0.28), but was less variable in UN litters (CV = 22.4 ± 2 vs 36.0 ± 2%, P < 0.001). The IgG levels at 2 days of age were higher in piglets from UN litters (22.5 ± 0.8 vs 18.4 ± 0.7 g/l; P < 0.001) but the CV of IgG levels was not different between litter type (P = 0.46). Mortality up to 21 days of age was lower in UN litters (6.4 vs 11.9%, P = 0.03). The BW at 21 days was not different between litter type (P = 0.25) but it was less variable among piglets from UN litters (CV: 17.1 ± 1.3 vs 25.7 ± 1.3%; P = 0.01). Results reveal that CI is less variable and mortality is lower in piglets from litters of UN birth weight. The results infer that genetic improvement to decrease variation in birth weight within-litter could have a positive effect on homogeneous CI and thus contribute to reducing piglet mortality

Effects of uniformity of birth weight on colostrum intake and mortality of piglets

Within‐litter variation in birth weight is a factor relevant to pig production. This study set out to compare colostrum intake and postnatal mortality in litters of uniform or heterogeneous birth weight. The study involved 52 sows (Large White x Landrace) and their litters. To create two litters, either uniform (U) or heterogeneous (Control, C) in birth weight, piglets from two sows farrowing concomitantly were used. At birth, piglets were weighed, identified and placed in a box under an infra red lamp. At the end of farrowing, piglets were re‐weighed and allotted to group (U) or (C) of similar size (12 / litter) and birth weight (1391 and 1393 g in groups U and C, respectively) and allowed to suckle (time 0). They were re‐weighed 24 h later to estimate colostrum intake. At time 0, the mean intra‐litter coefficients of variation (CV, %) in birth weight were 9.3 ± 0.8 (sem) and 27.8 ± 0.8% in groups U and C, respectively. The U sows tended to produce more colostrum (4868 ± 159 vs 4526 ± 163 g, P = 0.06). Mean colostrum intake / piglet /litter was similar in both groups, i.e., 416 ± 14 (U) and 395 ± 13 g (C) (P = 0.23), but was less variable in U litters (CV = 22.1 vs 36.0%, P = 0.01). Mortality up to 21 d of age was lower in U litters (6.4 vs 11.9%, P = 0.03). Results indicate that colostrum intake is less variable and mortality lower in piglets from litters of uniform birth weight. It is suggested that genetic improvement to reduce within‐litter variation in birth weight could reduce piglet mortality

Patrimoines insolites, théâtre, opéra, écrits savants et autres fers à dorer

Ce petit volume inaugure, dans la collection des éditions de l\u27enssib, une série consacrée au patrimoine des bibliothèques dans ses aspects les plus divers. On le sait, le patrimoine des bibliothèques est à la mode. Valeur sûre et consensuelle, il est l\u27objet de bien des attentions et des initiatives. Pourtant sa sauvegarde et sa mise en valeur supposent un travail de longue haleine, le plus généralement obscur et ingrat, qu\u27on a trop tendance à différer au profit d\u27événements médiatisés qui lui font bien souvent courir plus de risques qu\u27ils ne contribuent à sa perpétuation. À partir de quatre mémoires soutenus par des conservateurs stagiaires de l\u27enssib (promotion 1995-1996), nous avons choisi de réunir en un bouquet quatre approches de fonds ou de documents quelque peu particuliers afin que chacun puisse les découvrir ou les redécouvrir et y puiser des exemples ou des idées pour ses propres pratiques