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

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

Colostrum production of Alentejano and Large-White × Landrace sows: consumption, passive immunity and mortality of piglets

Colostrum production and composition of 45 Alentejano (AL) and 45 crossed (Large–White × Landrace, LL) sows together with consumption and passive immunization of piglets, were evaluated. Piglets were weighed at birth, 24h, and 21 and 28 days of age. Colostrum was collected, chemically analysed and immunoglobulin G (IgG) determined. On piglets, serum IgG concentrations were determined at 2d and 28d of age. Alentejano piglets consumed 19% less colostrum than LL piglets (267 vs 328 g; p&lt;0.001), but when adjusted for birth weight, the difference between genotypes was not significant (p=0.891). Alentejano sows produced less colostrum (1985±139 g vs 3761±139 g, p&lt;0.001) than LL sows, even after adjustment for litter birth weight. IgG concentrations were higher in AL colostrum at 12 h and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. They were higher in AL than in LL piglets (p=0.025) and higher at 2d than at 28d of age (p&lt;0.001). Mortality rate of piglets until d21 post–farrowing was higher in AL genotype (27% vs 16.1%, p&lt;0.001). In both genotypes main factors influencing piglet mortality were birth weight and colostrum intake (g/kg birth weight). Higher mortality in AL than in LL genotype was attributable to the higher proportion (28.7% vs 11.6%, p&lt;0.001) of light piglets. It is concluded that for similar birth weight, both AL and LL piglets have a similar ability to ingest colostrum and that AL sows are less able to produce colostrum than LL sows. IgG concentrations of colostrum and of piglets serum were higher in AL than in LL genotype

The issue of colostrum in piglet survival: energy and immunity

International audienc

La importancia del calostro

International audienc