scholarly journals Effects of drying and providing supplemental oxygen to piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Raphael O Bautista ◽  
Naomi C Willard ◽  
Richard S Gates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Supplemental Oxygen ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Neonatal Piglets ◽  
Oxygen Treatment ◽  
Drying Treatment ◽  
Kg Medium

Abstract Neonatal piglets can experience both a decrease in body temperature and hypoxia, increasing risks for pre-weaning mortality. This research evaluated the effects of drying and providing supplemental oxygen to newborn piglets on rectal temperature (RT) over the first 24 h after birth. The study used a CRD with 3 Intervention Treatments (IT; applied at birth): Control (no intervention), Drying (dried using a desiccant), Oxygen [dried using a desiccant and placed in a chamber (at 40% oxygen concentration) for 20 min]. A total of 42 litters (485 piglets) were randomly allotted to treatments at the start of farrowing. At birth, each piglet was given a numbered ear tag, weighed, and the treatment was applied; RT was measured at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Blood was collected from one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter at 24 h after birth to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of IT on piglet RT at 0 or 1440 min after birth. Between 20 and 60 min after birth, piglet RT was lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Control than the Drying treatment, with the Oxygen treatment being intermediate and different (P ≤ 0.05) from the other two IT. The effect of piglet birth weight on responses to IT were evaluated by classifying piglets into Birth Weight Categories (BWC): Light (< 1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (> 1.5 kg). There were IT by BWC interactions (P ≤ 0.05) for piglet RT at all measurement times between 20 and 120 min after birth. Relative to the Control, the effects of the Drying and Oxygen treatments on RT were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for Light than heavier piglets. Plasma immunocrit concentrations tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for piglets on the Control treatment compared to the other two IT and were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for Light than Heavy piglets, with Medium piglets being intermediate and different (P ≤ 0.05) to the other BWC. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth reduced the extent and duration of RT decline in piglets in the early postnatal period compared to undried piglets, especially for those of low birth weight. However, the combination of drying and placing piglets in an oxygen-rich environment provided no additional benefit over drying alone.

scholarly journals Effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on preweaning mortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Intervention Treatment ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Kg Medium

Abstract Piglets are susceptible to hypothermia early after birth, which is a major predisposing factor for preweaning mortality (PWM). Drying and warming piglets at birth has been shown to reduce early postnatal temperature decline. This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM and weaning weight (WW) under commercial conditions. A completely randomized design was used with 802 sows/litters (10,327 piglets); sows/litters were randomly allotted at start of farrowing to one of two Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no drying or warming); Drying+Warming (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at 0 and 30 min after birth on all piglets in a subsample of 10% of litters. The effect of farrowing pen temperature (FPT) on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing litters born under COOL (<25°C) to those born under WARM (≥25°C) FPT. The effect of birth weight on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing three birth weight categories (BWC; Light: <1.0 kg, Medium: 1.0 to 1.5 kg, or Heavy: >1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze mortality and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of Intervention Treatment, and FPT or BWC as appropriate, the interaction, and the random effects of litter. Piglet rectal temperature at 30 min after birth was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Control treatment (+2.33°C). Overall, there was no effect (P > 0.05) of Intervention Treatment on PWM or WW, and there were no Intervention Treatment by BWC interactions (P > 0.05) for these measurements. There was an Intervention Treatment by FPT interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM. Drying and warming piglets reduced (P ≤ 0.05) PWM under COOL (by 2.4 percentage units) but not WARM FPT. In addition, WW were lower (P ≤ 0.05) under WARM (by 0.79 kg) than COOL FPT; however, there was no interaction (P > 0.05) with Intervention Treatment. In conclusion, this study suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may reduce PWM under cooler conditions, which are typically experienced in temperate climates during the majority of the year.

scholarly journals Effect of method of drying piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
The Other ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Paper Towel ◽  
Drying Treatment

Abstract Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two commercially applicable methods for drying piglets at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out in standard commercial farrowing facilities with 52 litters, using a completely randomized design with three Drying Treatments: Control (not dried); Desiccant (dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (dried at birth using paper towels). Litters were randomly allotted to treatments at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, piglets were individually identified, and the treatment was applied. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min (24 h) after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS, with litter as the experimental unit and piglet a subsample of the litter. The model included the fixed effects of treatment and time (as a repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on temperature at birth, or 10 or 1,440 min after birth. Piglet temperatures between 20 and 120 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for the Desiccant and Paper Towel treatments, but were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than the Control. The effect of birth weight on the response to Drying Treatment was evaluated by dividing the data into Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (>1.5 kg) piglet Birth Weight Categories. Piglet rectal temperature data at each measurement time were analyzed using a model that included the fixed effects of Birth Weight Category, Drying Treatment, and the interaction. Temperatures of Light piglets were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those of Heavy piglets between 20 and 120 min after birth, with Medium piglets being intermediate and generally different to the other two weight categories at these times. The difference in temperature between Light as compared with Medium or Heavy piglets was greater for the Control than the other two Drying Treatments at 60 min after birth. These results suggest that drying piglets at birth is an effective method to reduce rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period, especially for low birth weight piglets.

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

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 154-155
Author(s):  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Richard Gates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Oxygen Treatment ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract 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.

scholarly journals 7 Effect of piglet birth weight and drying on post-natal changes in rectal temperature

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 4-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Yijie Xiong ◽  
Richard Gates
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Heat Lamp ◽  
Drying Treatment ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of piglet birth weight and drying piglets at birth on post-natal rectal temperatures using a CRD with 2 treatments: 1) Drying (not dried vs. dried at birth with a desiccant); 2) Birth weight [4 within-litter birth weight quartiles (Q1: 1.13 ± 0.33 kg, Q2: 1.43 ± 0.28 kg, Q3: 1.62 ± 0.28 kg, Q4: 1.81 ± 0.28 kg)]. Sows (26) and litters (281 piglets) were randomly allotted to drying treatment and were housed in farrowing crates with a heat lamp; room temperature was set at 22.8°C. Piglets were weighed at birth and rectal temperature measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC); the model included fixed effects of litter birth weight quartile and drying treatment and interaction, and time (repeated measure), and random effect of sow. Mean piglet birth weight and rectal temperature at birth were 1.49 ± 0.39 kg and 39.2 ± 0.43°C, respectively. There were no drying by birth weight treatment interactions. Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for the drying and birth weight treatments at birth and 240 and 1440 min (Table 1). Drying increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature from 15 to 180 min; the greatest difference was at 45 min (2.4°C). Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for Q2, 3, and 4 from 15 to 180 min. Quartile 1 had a lower (P < 0.05) temperature than the 3 heavier quartiles from 15 to 180 min, except at 120 min when temperatures were similar for Q1 and 2. The lightest piglets exhibited the greatest post-natal temperature decline and drying of piglets at birth reduced the post-natal temperature decline in piglets of all weights.

PSIII-3 Effect of Type of Desiccant Used to Dry Piglets at Birth on Postnatal Changes in Rectal Temperature

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
Alicia Olivo Espinal ◽  
Naomi C Willard ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Nicole K Moest ◽  
Michael Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract All piglets experience hypothermia immediately after birth, which can be a predisposing factor for pre-weaning mortality. Drying piglets at birth with a desiccant reduces the extent and duration of postnatal temperature decline. This study compared the effectiveness of different types of commercially-available desiccant products using a CRD with four treatments (applied at birth): Control (piglets not dried) and 3 Desiccant Product treatments [dried with a Mineral-based, Cellulose-based, or Mixed (mineral and cellulose-based) desiccant]. Sows (40) and litters (546 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. Sows were housed in individual farrowing crates within pens; a heat lamp was suspended over one side of each pen. Room temperature was set at 22.8°C throughout farrowing. Piglets were weighed at birth, those on the Desiccant Product treatments were coated with desiccant until completely dry, and then returned to the pen. Piglet rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). The model included the fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on rectal temperatures at birth. At all other measurement times, piglets on the Control treatment had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than those on the 3 Desiccant Product treatments, which had similar (P > 0.05) rectal temperatures. These results suggest that the 3 commercial desiccant products evaluated were equally effective at minimizing the extent and duration of piglet rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period.

scholarly journals Effect of rearing cross-fostered piglets in litters of differing size relative to sow functional teat number on preweaning growth and mortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Raphael O Bautista ◽  
Alicia Olivo ◽  
Heath Harper ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Similar Rate ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Teat Number ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Cross Fostering

Abstract Litter sizes of commercial sows have increased considerably over recent decades, and often exceed the number of functional teats on the sow. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of litter size after cross-fostering relative to sow functional teat number on piglet preweaning growth and mortality. A total of 39 litters (561 piglets) were used in a randomized complete block design; blocking factors were farrowing day and sow parity, body condition score, and functional teat number. Three Litter Size treatments were compared (relative to sow functional teat number): Decreased (two piglets less); Control (same number of piglets); Increased (two piglets more). Piglets were randomly allotted to treatment at 24 h after birth to form litters of the appropriate size, with similar mean and CV of birth weight within block. Weaning weights (WW) were collected at 19.5 ± 0.50 d of age; preweaning mortality (PWM) was recorded. Litter sizes were between 11 and 17 piglets, depending on block and treatment. The Decreased treatment had lower (P ≤ 0.05) PWM than the Increased (7.7% and 17.9%, respectively); the Control was intermediate (11.5%) and not different (P > 0.05) from the other treatments. The rate of decline in litter size from birth to weaning was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased than the Decreased treatment (−0.16 vs. −0.05 piglets per day), with the Control (−0.09 piglets per day) being intermediate and different (P ≤ 0.05) to the other two treatments. Litter sizes at weaning were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased than the Decreased treatment (13.3 and 11.3, respectively); the Control treatment was intermediate (12.6) and not different (P > 0.05) to the other treatments. The log odds of PWM increased with the decreasing birth weight, at a similar rate (P > 0.05) for all Litter Size treatments. However, the intercept was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Increased compared with the Decreased treatment; the Control was intermediate and different (P > 0.05) to the other two treatments. Mean WW tended (P = 0.07) to be greater for the Decreased (6.17 kg) compared to the Control and Increased treatments (5.86 and 5.84 kg, respectively). In conclusion, increasing litter size after cross-fostering relative to the number of functional teats of the sow increased piglet PWM, and tended to decrease WW.

scholarly journals 85 The effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on pre-weaning mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Katie Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Weaning Weight

Abstract Piglets are susceptible to chilling early after birth, which is a major pre-disposing factor for pre-weaning mortality (PWM). This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM at a commercial facility. A CRD was used with 802 sows (litters), allotted at start of farrowing to 2 treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Dried+Warmed (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and warmed in a heated box for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. The effects of farrowing room temperature on PWM were evaluated by classifying litters as being born under Cool or Warm conditions (< 25° C and ≥ 25°C, respectively). Similarly, effects of birth weight on PWM were evaluated by classifying piglets into 3 Birth Weight Categories (BWC; < 1.0 kg, 1.0-1.5 kg, or > 1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze PWM and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of treatment, and farrowing room temperature or BWC as appropriate, and the random effect of piglet within litter. Rectal temperature at 30 min after birth, measured on a sub-sample of 10% of litters, was greater (P < 0.05) for the Dried+Warmed than the Control treatment. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of drying and warming piglets on weaning weight or overall PWM. Additionally, PWM was similar across treatments within each BWC. However, the Dried+Warmed treatment reduced (P < 0.05) PWM compared to the Control under Cool but not Warm farrowing room temperatures. In conclusion, this suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may be an effective method to reduce piglet PWM under cooler farrowing room temperatures. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

scholarly journals Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Heat Lamp

Abstract Piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature immediately after birth, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a completely randomized design with four treatments (applied to piglets at birth): Control (no drying or warming), Desiccant (dried using a desiccant), Warming Box (placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min), and Desiccant + Warming Box (both dried and warmed as above). Farrowing pens had one heat lamp, temperatures under which were similar to the warming box (35 °C). A total of 68 litters (866 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, each piglet was identified with a numbered ear tag and weighed; rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures model using PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit, piglet was a subsample of the litter; and the model included the fixed effects of treatment, time (the repeated measure), and the interaction. Rectal temperatures at birth and 1,440 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. At all times between 10 and 120 min after birth, Control piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than the other three treatments. The Desiccant and Warming Box treatments had similar (P > 0.05) temperatures at most measurement times, but the Desiccant + Warming Box treatment had the highest (P ≤ 0.05) rectal temperatures at most times between 10 and 60 min. In addition, for all treatments, light (<1.0 kg) birth weight piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than medium (1.0–1.5 kg) or heavy (>1.5 kg) piglets at all times between 10 and 120 min. In addition, at these measurement times, the deviation in temperature between the Control and the other three treatments was greater for light than medium or heavy piglets. In conclusion, both drying and warming piglets at birth significantly increased rectal temperatures between 10 and 120 min after birth, with the combination of the two interventions having the greatest effect, especially for low birth weight piglets.

scholarly journals Energy Supplementation during the Last Third of Gestation Improves Mother–Young Bonding in Goats

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
Juan M. Vázquez-García ◽  
Gregorio Álvarez-Fuentes ◽  
Héctor O. Orozco-Gregorio ◽  
Juan C. García-López ◽  
Milagros González-Hernández ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Respiratory Rate ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
First Feeding ◽  
Labor Duration ◽  
Daily Energy ◽  
Energy Supplementation ◽  
Birth Body Weight ◽  
Birth Type

We tested whether maternal energy supplementation during the last third of gestation improves birth weight, neonatal wellbeing, and mother–young bonding. Thirty-six pregnant French Alpine goats were randomly allocated among three nutritional treatments for the last third of pregnancy: (i) Control, fed alfalfa (T-0; n = 12); (ii) alfalfa + 150 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-150; n = 12); (iii) alfalfa + 300 g/head daily energy concentrate (T-300; n = 12). At birth, we collected progeny data on birth weight, birth type, sex, rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, time to standing, time to udder connection, and time to first feeding. For the dams, we collected data on the duration of labor, time to clean the progeny, and time to allow first suckling. At birth, body weight, rectal temperature, heart rate, and the respiratory rate did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). In the dams, labor duration was not affected by the treatments (p > 0.05). The T-150 dams were faster to clean the newborn and allow first suckling (p < 0.05). The T-150 progeny were faster to stand and the T-300 progeny were faster to connect to the udder (p < 0.05). We conclude that energy supplementation of the dam during the last third of gestation does not affect the birth weight of the progeny, but enhances the mother–young bonding.

scholarly journals Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth under warm farrowing room temperatures on piglet rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

Abstract Piglets experience a decline in body temperature immediately after birth, and both drying and warming piglets at birth reduces this. However, these interventions may have less effective at higher farrowing room temperatures. This study was carried out at a commercial facility to compare the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on postnatal rectal temperature (RT) under relatively warm farrowing room temperatures (26.6 ± 2.09°C). Forty-five sows/litters were used in a completely randomized design to compare three Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Warming (piglets placed in a plastic box under a heat lamp for 30 min); Drying+Warming (piglets dried with desiccant and warmed as above). Temperatures in the warming boxes over the study period averaged 37.7 ± 2.75°C. At birth, piglets were weighed; RT temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after birth from a subsample of one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with litter as the experimental unit; and piglet a subsample of litter. The model for analysis of piglet rectal temperature included fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), the interaction, and the random effect of sow. Compared to the Control, piglet RT were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Warming treatment between 10 and 60 min, and higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment between 10 and 120 min after birth. Rectal temperatures were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Warming treatment between 20 and 120 min. Responses to drying and/or warming were greater for low birth weight piglets (&lt; 1.0 kg) than heavier littermates, but were generally less than observed in previous experiments with similar treatments carried out under cooler temperatures. Piglet immunocrit values were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment compared to the other treatments, which were similar (P &gt; 0.05). Immunocrit values tended (P = 0.10) to be lower for light (&lt; 1.0 kg) compared to heavier birth weight piglets. In conclusion, drying and warming piglets at birth was more effective for reducing piglet RT decline after birth than warming alone, though the effect was less than observed in previous studies carried out under cooler farrowing room temperatures.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document