PSVI-3 Effect of feeding resistant starch on sow and piglet farrowing performance and blood parameters

Hyperprolific sows can have a long duration of farrowing, negatively impacting piglet survival and vitality. This study’s objective was to assess the effect of a diet containing 6.6% resistant starch (RS) on sow and piglet farrowing performance. We hypothesized that a diet containing RS would decrease sow farrowing duration and improve piglet survival. Forty-two sows were balanced for parity and randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments: standard lactation diet (n = 21) or diet containing RS (n = 21). Sows were fed their respective diets from approximately 7d prefarrowing throughout lactation. Sow blood was drawn at three time points on d106±1.0 and d113±1.0 of gestation (pre-feeding, 2 and 6 h post-feeding) and during farrowing to measure blood glucose. Piglet umbilical blood (~3/litter; beginning, middle, end of birth order) was collected at birth and analyzed for glucose, lactate, pH, PCO2, PO2, TCO2, HCO3, BE, and sO2. Piglets were visually assessed at birth to score meconium staining. Data collected included farrowing duration, piglet birthing intervals, number of stillborn piglets/litter, sow and piglet weights, piglet mortality, and sow feed and water intake. Average litter sizes post-crossfoster for control and RS were similar, 12.1±0.4 and 11.6±0.4 piglets, respectively. Litter weight gain was similar between control and RS (44.97 vs. 47.54 kg, P = 0.33), respectively. Feeding resistant starch had no effect on number of stillborn piglets or pre-weaning survival (P > 0.75). Farrowing duration (178.9±17.6 min vs 165.2±18.0 min, P = 0.59) and piglet birth intervals (16.57±1.7 min and 14.89±1.8 min, P = 0.51) did not differ between control and RS, respectively. There was difference in sow blood glucose between diets (P = 0.02), day of sample (P < 0.0001), time point (P < 0.0001), and a day by time point interaction (P < 0.0001). Feeding RS to sows prefarrowing can modify sow blood glucose, but did not result in reduced farrowing duration or improved piglet survival.

Identifying Suitable Supplements to Improve Piglet Survival during Farrowing and Lactation

Piglet mortality during parturition and prior to weaning is an ongoing economic and welfare issue. This review collates the current literature describing the effects of specific dietary supplements on key parameters affecting piglet survival. Four distinct parameters were identified as having a direct impact on the survival of piglets to weaning: stillbirth rate, birth weight and weight variation, daily gain and weaning weight, and colostrum and milk quality. In the primary stage, relevant literature from the past 5 years was reviewed, followed by a secondary review of literature older than 5 years. The focal parameters benefitted from different supplements. For example, stillbirth may be reduced by supplements in late gestation, including forms of arginine, alpha-tocopherol-selenium, uridine, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast culture, whereas average daily gain and weaning weight were related closely to supplements which improved colostrum and milk quality, most commonly fats and fatty acids in the form of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, soybean oil, and fish oil, and polysaccharides, such as ginseng polysaccharide. Therefore, an effective supplement plan for piglet mortality reduction must consider the circumstances of the individual system and target one or more of the highlighted parameters.

Synthetic Olfactory Agonist Use in the Farrowing House to Reduce Sow Distress and Improve Piglet Survival

The aim of the study was to investigate if the application of a synthetic olfactory agonist (SOA) would reduce indicators of stress in sows, in response to a stressor prior to parturition, and if it would improve farrowing house performance of sows and their piglets. Two studies were conducted: an intensive study with 47 sows, either having their first or second litter (Control n = 24; SOA n = 23); and a commercial validation study with 418 sows, either having their first litter or have had multiple litters (Control n = 210; SOA n = 208). Within the intensive study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended in the creep area of the farrowing crate, whereas within the commercial validation study, sows were housed with or without a synthetic olfactory agonist suspended over the adjoining creep area of two farrowing crates. Within the intensive study, despite a discernible increase in cortisol concentration in response to a stressor (snout rope test), cortisol response was not different between treatments (p > 0.05). Farrowing duration in first-litter sows exposed to the SOA was decreased (p < 0.001) whilst there was no impact on farrowing duration in second litter sows. Piglets were not attracted by the SOA to increase their utilisation of the creep area and spent more time in proximity to the sow (p < 0.05). Within the commercial validation study, no impacts were seen on piglet production measures (p > 0.05). Largely the use of an SOA within the farrowing house did not impact the sow or her piglets in either the intensive study or commercial validation study. Based on these current results, the use of SOA within the farrowing house is not supported.

Supplementary Tryptophan Fed to Sows Prior to and after Farrowing to Improve Piglet Growth and Survival

Tryptophan indirectly increases plasma calcium levels, which may improve sow health, and melatonin production, which may improve piglet survival when supplemented during late gestation and lactation. It was hypothesised that tryptophan would increase piglet survival and increase sow circulating melatonin and calcium. Seventy-two multiparous (Landrace x Large White) sows were allocated to either control (0.16% tryptophan; n = 24), low tryptophan (0.42%; n = 24) or high tryptophan (0.56%; n = 24). Piglet viability measures consisted of weights, behaviour, meconium staining, rectal temperature, blood glucose and serum immunoglobulin G concentration. Blood samples collected from sows were analysed for melatonin (two daytime and three night-time samples; n = 17) and calcium (two samples pre- and post-farrowing; n = 14). Both tryptophan treatments increased piglet survival compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Tryptophan had no effect on piglet viability (p > 0.05) and no effect on sow plasma melatonin and calcium concentrations compared with the control group (p > 0.05) except at 21:00 when low tryptophan sows had higher melatonin concentration compared with high tryptophan (p = 0.011). Further research to understand the mediating effects of tryptophan (particularly 5-hydroxytryptophan) on piglet survival, including sow behaviour, is warranted.

Meloxicam and Dexamethasone Administration as Anti-Inflammatory Compounds to Sows Prior to Farrowing Does Not Improve Lactation Performance

The aim of this experiment was to determine whether administration of an anti-inflammatory compound to sows prior to farrowing would, via reduced pain and inflammation, increase piglet survival and growth. At day 114 of gestation, multiparous sows were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: Control (n = 43), which received 10 mL saline, NSAID (n = 55) which received 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam and SAID (n = 54) which received 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone. Treatments were applied again on day 116 if farrowing had not occurred. There was no treatment effect on piglets born alive or dead from parity two to four sows but in those of parity five and older, NSAID administration reduced the number of piglets born alive and increased the number of piglets born dead (p < 0.05). Sow rectal temperature and incidence of mastitis were unaffected by treatment (p > 0.05). Lactation day two plasma concentrations of cortisol, prostaglandin F2 alpha metabolite and haptoglobin did not differ among treatments (p > 0.05). Treatment effects were not observed in liveborn piglet mortality at any age, or litter weight at day 21 (p > 0.05). Average feed intake during lactation was increased by both NSAID and SAID treatments (p = 0.001). The use of meloxicam prior to farrowing should be avoided as it reduced the number of piglets born alive and did not improve piglet survival and growth.

145 Effect of Substandard Teats on Piglet and Sow Performance

The objective of the study was to evaluate sow teat quality in relation to subsequent reproductive throughput. Data included one cohort of 42 Landrace × Large White second parity maternal line sows at the Tidewater Research Station (Plymouth, NC). Functional teats (FUNCTIONAL) were classified pre-farrow as acceptable (ACCEPTABLE) or substandard (SUBSTANDARD). Teats were categorized as SUBSTANDARD when teat size was ≤75% of ACCEPTABLE. At day 20 of lactation, ACCEPTABLE and SUBSTANDARD were assessed for the presence of a swollen mammary gland and piglets observed nursing SUBSTANDARD were recorded (24 piglets from 15 litters). Means for FUNCTIONAL, ACCEPTABLE and SUBSTANDARD were 15.07, 13.59 and 1.48 teats, respectively. Biological dam traits included birth weight (BWT), total number born (TNB), litter size at weaning (LSW) and piglet survival (LSW/TNB). Weaning weight (WWT) was considered a trait of the nurse dam. Means for TNB, LSW, litter BWT and litter WWT were 13.4, 10.9, 17.8 kg and 57.8 kg, respectively. Data was analyzed using a chi-square test for binary traits and linear mixed models for continuous traits. At weaning, a greater (P &lt; 0.01) proportion of ACCEPTABLE had a functional mammary gland when compared to SUBSTANDARD (76 vs. 47%). Within litters, piglets nursing SUBSTANDARD tended (em&gt;P = 0.09) to be 158 grams lighter at weaning in comparison to ACCEPTABLE. Yet BWT of SUBSTANDARD piglets did not differ (em&gt;P = 0.60) from piglets nursing ACCEPTABLE. Across litters, an increase in one SUBSTANDARD tended (em&gt;P = 0.07) to reduce litter WWT by 1.74 kilograms. An increase in one SUBSTANDARD tended (em&gt;P &lt; 0.07) to increase piglet survival by 3.5%. Results suggest substandard teats, identified pre-farrow, are less likely to have a functional mammary gland at weaning, impair piglet quality yet may enhance piglet survival.

PSV-7 Colostrum Intake Level Is Related to Level of Total Circulating Proteins and Essential Amino Acids

Colostrum intake potentiates piglet survival by transfer of immune factors. Additionally, colostrum also contains nutritional and bioactive molecules which could promote piglet’s growth and development. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of colostrum intake amount during the first 24h on plasma insulin, glucose, protein, and amino acid (AA) concentrations. Two female piglets were selected from 8 litters (n = 16) at birth and fed 10% (COL10) or 20% (COL20) colostrum based on birth weight over 12 bottle feedings occurring every 2h. Colostrum was collected from multiple sows and mixed to create a homogeneous pool. At birth and 24h, blood sample were collected, plasma separated and used to measure insulin, glucose, total protein, and AA concentrations. Analysis of the variance (PROC MIXED, SAS v.9.4) was used to evaluate significant (P≤0.05) differences between colostrum dose and time (birth vs. 24h). Colostrum intake did not influence plasma insulin at 24h (P=0.54). Glucose was higher at 24h (P&lt; 0.001), but did not differ between COL10 and COL20 piglets (P=0.74). Total protein was greater at 24h (P&lt; 0.001) as well as in COL20 compared to COL10 (P=0.006). Non-essential AAs (Ala, Asn, Asp, Cys, Gly and Glu) were reduced at 24h compared to birth (P&lt; 0.03), while essential AAs (His, Ile, Met, Phe, Trp and Val) were increased after 24h of colostrum feeding (P&lt; 0.05). At 24h, COL20 piglets had greater Ile and Met (P&lt; 0.03) and tended (P=0.08) to have greater Leu and Phe. In conclusion, colostrum intake increases glycemia as well as total circulating proteins, and the dose of colostrum is related with greater circulation of total protein and essential AAs.