234 In utero heat stress alters the postnatal immune and metabolic response of growing pigs subjected to a lipopolysaccharide challenge

Abstract In utero heat stress (IUHS) reduces swine productivity and welfare but little is known about the long-term impact on immune function. The study objective was to determine the effects of IUHS on the immune and metabolic response of pigs subjected to an 8 h lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge during postnatal life. Twenty-four pregnant gilts were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; n = 12; 17.5 ± 2.1⁰C) or heat stress (HS; n = 12; cyclical 27°C-37°C) conditions from d 1 to 58 of gestation, and TN conditions from d 59 of gestation to farrowing. After farrowing, all piglets were housed under the same conditions. At 12 weeks post-farrowing, 16 IUHS and 16 in utero thermoneutral (IUTN) pigs were selected, balanced by sex and given an intravenous injection of LPS (2 µg/kg BW) or saline (SAL). Treatment combinations were: IUTN-SAL, IUTN-LPS, IUHS-SAL, IUHS-LPS. Body temperature was monitored in 30-min intervals and blood samples were obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 h. Blood was analyzed for glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), and cytokine concentrations. Body temperature increased (P < 0.01; 1.05°C) in LPS versus SAL pigs, regardless of in utero treatment. Glucose concentrations were reduced overall (P = 0.05; 5.9%) in IUHS versus IUTN pigs. Non-esterified fatty acid concentrations tended to be greater (P = 0.07; 143.4%) in IUHS-LPS pigs compared to all other treatments, and IUTN-LPS pigs tended to have greater circulating NEFA concentrations (127.4%) compared to IUTN-SAL and IUHS-SAL pigs. At 1 h, TNFα was increased (P = 0.01; 115.1%) in IUHS-LPS compared to IUTN-LPS pigs. Overall, IL-1β and IL-6 were greater (P < 0.04; 56.0 and 46.8%, respectively) in IUHS-LPS compared IUTN-LPS pigs. In summary, IUHS altered the postnatal immune and metabolic response of pigs during postnatal life, which has negative implications towards future disease susceptibility.

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In utero heat stress alters the postnatal innate immune response of pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa356 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (12) ◽

Author(s):

Jay S Johnson ◽

Jacob M Maskal ◽

Alan W Duttlinger ◽

Kouassi R Kpodo ◽

Betty R McConn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune Response ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Stress Response ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Innate Immune Response ◽

In Utero ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Postnatal Life ◽

Lps Challenge ◽

Cell Counts

Abstract The effects of in utero heat stress (IUHS) range from decreased growth performance to altered behavior, but the long-term impact of IUHS on postnatal innate immune function in pigs is unknown. Therefore, the study objective was to determine the effects of early gestation IUHS on the immune, metabolic, and stress response of pigs subjected to an 8 hr lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge during postnatal life. Twenty-four pregnant gilts were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; n = 12; 17.5 ± 2.1 °C) or heat stress (HS; n = 12; cyclic 26 to 36 °C) conditions from days 6 to 59 of gestation, and then TN conditions (20.9 ± 2.3 °C) from day 60 of gestation to farrowing. At 12 wk of age, 16 IUHS and 16 in utero thermoneutral (IUTN) pigs were selected, balanced by sex and given an intravenous injection of LPS (2 µg/kg BW mixed with sterile saline [SAL] and injected at 2 µL/kg BW) or SAL (2 µL/kg BW). Body temperature was monitored every 30 min, and blood was obtained at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 hr following the LPS challenge. Blood samples were analyzed for glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), cortisol, and cytokine concentrations. In addition, white blood cell counts were determined at 0 and 4 hr. Hour 0 data were used as covariates. Body temperature was increased (P < 0.01) in LPS (40.88 ± 0.08 °C) vs. SAL (39.83 ± 0.08 °C) pigs. Eosinophils tended to be decreased overall (P = 0.09; 43.9%) in IUHS vs. IUTN pigs. Glucose concentrations were reduced overall (P = 0.05; 5.9%) in IUHS vs. IUTN pigs. The NEFA concentrations tended to be greater (P = 0.07; 143.4%) in IUHS-LPS pigs compared with all other treatments, and IUTN-LPS pigs tended to have greater (127.4%) circulating NEFA concentrations compared with IUTN-SAL and IUHS-SAL pigs. Cortisol was increased (P = 0.04) in IUHS-LPS compared with IUTN-LPS pigs at 3 hr (21.5%) and 4 hr (64.3%). At 1 hr, tumor necrosis factor α was increased (P = 0.01; 115.1%) in IUHS-LPS compared with IUTN-LPS pigs. Overall, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were greater (P < 0.04; 281.3% and 297.8%, respectively) in IUHS-LPS pigs compared with all other treatments, and IUTN-LPS pigs had increased IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations compared with IUTN-SAL and IUHS-SAL pigs. In summary, IUHS altered the postnatal cytokine, metabolic, and physiological stress response of pigs during postnatal life, which may have negative implications toward the innate immune response of IUHS pigs to pathogens.

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Evaluation and mitigation of the effects of in utero heat stress on piglet growth performance, postabsorptive metabolism, and stress response following weaning and transport

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa265 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (9) ◽

Author(s):

Jacob M Maskal ◽

Alan W Duttlinger ◽

Kouassi R Kpodo ◽

Betty R McConn ◽

Christopher J Byrd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Video Recording ◽

In Utero ◽

Energy Requirements ◽

Postnatal Life ◽

Study Objective ◽

Nonesterified Fatty Acids

Abstract In utero heat stress (IUHS) increases the energy requirements of pigs during postnatal life, and this may compound weaning and transport stress. The study objective was to evaluate and mitigate the negative effects of IUHS following weaning and transport through the provision of a nutrient-dense (ND) nursery diet formulated to meet the greater energy requirements of IUHS pigs during the first 14 d postweaning and transport. Twenty-four pregnant gilts were exposed to thermoneutral (TN; n = 12; 17.5 ± 2.1 °C) or heat stress (HS; n = 12; cycling 26 to 36 °C) conditions for the first half of gestation (day 6 to 59) and then TN conditions (20.9 ± 2.3 °C) until farrowing. Nine TN gilts and 12 HS gilts produced litters. At weaning (16.2 ± 0.4 d), mixed-sex piglets (N = 160; 4.78 ± 0.15 kg body weight [BW]) were transported (loading + transport + unloading) for 11 h 40 min. Following transport, piglets were blocked into pens (n = 4 pigs/pen) by in utero and dietary treatments: in utero thermoneutral (IUTN) + control (C) diet (n = 10 pens), IUTN + ND (n = 10 pens), IUHS + C (n = 10 pens), and IUHS + ND (n = 10 pens). Treatment diets were fed from day 1 to 14 postweaning and transport (period 1), and the C diet was fed to all pigs from day 14 to 35 postweaning and transport (period 2). Production measures were taken in 7 d intervals to calculate average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily net energy intake (ADEI), gain:feed, and gain:net energy intake. Blood samples were collected prior to transport, following transport, and on days 2, 7, 14, 28, and 35 postweaning and transport to analyze cortisol, glucose, insulin, and nonesterified fatty acids. Behavior was assessed through video-recording on days 3, 5, 8, 11, and 13 postweaning and transport. In period 1, ADG was reduced (P = 0.04; 20.0 g/d) in IUHS vs. IUTN pigs. Pigs fed ND diets had reduced ADFI (P = 0.02; 9.3%) compared with C diet-fed pigs during period 1, which resulted in similar ADEI (P = 0.23; 1,115 ± 35 kcal/d). During transport, cortisol was decreased (P = 0.03; 25.8%) in IUHS vs. IUTN pigs. On day 2, glucose was decreased (P = 0.01; 13.8%) in IUHS vs. IUTN pigs. No in utero treatment-related behavior differences were observed but lying was reduced (P = 0.03; 6.5%) and standing was increased (P = 0.04; 14.1%) in ND vs. C pigs overall. In summary, IUHS reduced growth performance in pigs following weaning and transport, and providing an ND diet did not rescue the lost performance.

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Evaluating the Effects of In Utero Heat Stress on Piglet Physiology and Behavior Following Weaning and Transport

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9040191 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 191 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Christopher Byrd ◽

Nichole Anderson ◽

Drew Lugar ◽

Timothy Safranski ◽

Matthew Lucy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Heat Stress ◽

Plasma Cortisol ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

In Utero ◽

Study Objective ◽

Esterified Fatty Acids ◽

Drinking Behaviors ◽

Production Practices ◽

And Behavior

The study objective was to determine whether in utero heat stress (IUHS) affects piglet physiology and behavior following common production practices. A total of 12 gilts were confirmed pregnant and allocated to either heat stress (HS; n = 6) or thermoneutral (TN; n = 6) conditions on day 30–60 of gestation. At weaning (22.5 ± 2.3 days of age), 1 boar and 1 barrow of median weight were selected from each litter and transported for approximately 7 h. Piglets were then blocked into pens (n = 2/pen) by in utero treatment (IUHS (n = 12) or in utero thermoneutral (IUTN, n = 12)) and sexual status (boar (n = 6/in utero treatment) or barrow (n = 6/in utero treatment)). Plasma cortisol, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), insulin and glucose were evaluated 1 day prior to transport (pre-transport) and immediately after transport (post-transport). Behavioral data were collected on day 1–7 for 60 min at four different time points each day. In utero heat stressed piglets exhibited reduced cortisol concentrations compared to IUTN piglets immediately post-transport (p = 0.04). Glucose concentrations were not affected by in utero treatment. Insulin concentrations were reduced in IUTN piglets post-transport compared to pre-transport (p = 0.002), but no differences were detected for IUHS pigs. Non-esterified fatty acids tended to be reduced overall for IUHS vs. IUTN pigs (p = 0.08). Overall, IUHS piglets performed more drinking behaviors (p = 0.02) and tended to perform more aggressive behaviors (p = 0.07) than IUTN piglets in the 7 days post-transport. In summary, there was some evidence for altered physiological and behavioral responses among IUHS piglets compared to IUTN piglets following weaning and transport.

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Effects of long term heat stress in utero or during finishing on pork carcass composition

Meat Science ◽

10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.09.026 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 101 ◽

pp. 108 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Cruzen ◽

R. Boddicker ◽

K. Graves ◽

T. Johnson ◽

E. Arkfeld ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

In Utero ◽

Carcass Composition

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272 The effects of in utero heat stress on fasting heat production in growing pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/asasmw.2017.272 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (suppl_2) ◽

pp. 131-131

Author(s):

N. M. Chapel ◽

C. J. Byrd ◽

D. W. Lugar ◽

K. R. Stewart ◽

M. C. Lucy ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Heat Production ◽

In Utero ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Fasting Heat Production

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Mixing induces long-term hyperthermia in growing pigs

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s1357729800051456 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 601-605 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

I. C. de Jong ◽

E. Lambooij ◽

S. M. Korte ◽

H. J. Blokhuis ◽

J. M. Koolhaas

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Body Temperature ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Activity Level ◽

Long Term Effects ◽

Deep Body Temperature ◽

Sensitive Parameter ◽

Effects Of Stress ◽

Deep Body

AbstractThe purpose of this experiment was to determine whether body temperature is a sensitive parameter to measure long-term effects of stress in pigs. Mixing of unacquainted pigs is a severe stressor that has detrimental effects on health, production and welfare. We measured deep body temperature after mixing growing pigs. Five pigs of 15 weeks of age, each individually housed with a companion pig, were mixed with two unacquainted congeners. Deep body temperature, heart rate and activity were recorded by radiotelemetry 9 days prior to until 8 days after mixing. These parameters were also recorded in five control pigs (individually housed with a companion pig) during the same time span. Behaviour during the light period was recorded on videotape on the day of mixing and on three subsequent days. Mixing induced a significant rise in body temperature that lasted for 8 h after mixing. Although heart rate and general activity level did not significantly differ between mixed and control pigs, mixing significantly increased the frequency of fighting and reduced the frequency of eating. In conclusion, the present experiment shows that mixing induces a long-lasting hyperthermia in pigs. Thus, deep body temperature may be used as a sensitive parameter to measure long-term effects of stress in pigs.

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Determining the effects of early gestation in utero heat stress on postnatal fasting heat production and circulating biomarkers associated with metabolism in growing pigs

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.2527/jas2017.1730 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 95 (9) ◽

pp. 3914 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. M. Chapel ◽

C. J. Byrd ◽

D. W. Lugar ◽

G. M. Morello ◽

L. H. Baumgard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

Heat Production ◽

In Utero ◽

Growing Pigs ◽

Circulating Biomarkers ◽

Early Gestation ◽

Fasting Heat Production

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Long-Term Impact of Neonatal Breastfeeding on Childhood Adiposity and Fat Distribution Among Children Exposed to Diabetes In Utero

Diabetes Care ◽

10.2337/dc10-1716 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 641-645 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

T. L. Crume ◽

L. Ogden ◽

M. Maligie ◽

S. Sheffield ◽

K. J. Bischoff ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fat Distribution ◽

In Utero ◽

Childhood Adiposity ◽

Long Term Impact

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36 Evaluation and mitigation of the effects of in utero heat stress on pig performance following weaning and transport

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skaa054.071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 40-40

Author(s):

Jacob M Maskal ◽

Alan W Duttlinger ◽

Kouassi R Kpodo ◽

Betty R McConn ◽

Christopher Byrd ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heat Stress ◽

In Utero ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Swine Industry ◽

Study Objective ◽

Nutrient Density ◽

Period 2 ◽

Lost Productivity ◽

Pig Performance ◽

Dietary Treatments

Abstract In utero heat stress (IUHS) negatively affects swine productivity and is a growing concern for the swine industry. The study objective was to evaluate and mitigate the negative effects of IUHS on pig performance following weaning and transport. Based on previous research, we hypothesized that IUHS pigs would have reduced performance relative to in utero thermoneutral (IUTN) pigs due to greater maintenance costs and supplementing a nutrient-dense (ND) diet would improve IUHS pig performance to similar levels as IUTN pigs fed a common (C) diet. Therefore, 24 bred gilts were assigned to either thermoneutral (TN; n = 12; 17.5 ± 2.1°C) or heat stress (HS; n = 12; cyclical 27°C to 37°C) conditions for the first half of gestation (d1 to 58) and then TN conditions for the remainder of gestation. At weaning (16.2 ± 0.4 d), pigs (N = 160; 4.78 ± 0.15 kg BW) were transported (loading + transport + unloading) for approximately 12h. Pigs were then blocked into pens (n = 4 pigs/pen) by in utero and dietary treatments which were fed for 14 d (Period-1): IUTN-C (n = 10 pens), IUTN-ND (n = 10 pens), IUHS-C (n = 10 pens), IUHS-ND (n = 10 pens). Following Period-1, all pigs were fed the C diet from d15 to 35 post-weaning and transport (Period-2). Production measures were taken on d 0, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 post-weaning and transport to calculate ADG, ADFI, and G:F. During Period-1, ADG was reduced overall (P = 0.03, 10.6%) for IUHS pigs compared to IUTN pigs. Pigs fed ND diets had reduced ADFI during Period-1 (P = 0.02, 8.8%) relative to C fed pigs, regardless of in utero treatment. During Period-2, ADFI was increased (P = 0.03, 4.7%) in ND versus C pigs, regardless of in utero treatment. In summary, increasing the nutrient density of the diet did not rescue the lost productivity of IUHS pigs as indicated by an overall reduction in ADG.

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