ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9481-1837
Current Organisation
University of Helsinki
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Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2007
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.RVSC.2008.07.007
Abstract: The effects of fibre in diets for periparturient sows are poorly documented. Three weeks before farrowing, 41 sows (LACT) were fed a diet containing 3.8% crude fibre. Other 40 sows (FIBRE) received a diet containing 7% crude fibre. We estimated the intestinal activity of the sows with a daily qualitative evaluation of their faeces. The FIBRE group had a qualitative faeces score value of 2.1+/-1.3 and the LACT group had a value of 1.2+/-1.1 (P<0.001). In idual daily water consumption was higher in the FIBRE group than in the LACT group (P<0.001). Piglet weight gain at day 5 was higher in the FIBRE group (P<0.05). The energy balance related parameters did not differ between the treatments. Concluding, diets containing more fibre can be successfully used around farrowing reducing prolonged constipation of sows with no negative effect on their energy balance related parameters.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2015.09.027
Abstract: Boar stations raise only entire male pigs for selection as reproductive boars, but the majority of them will fail the selection process, ending at slaughter with a high risk of boar tainted meat. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a single dose of Improvac given to 16-week old boars had a negative effect on their subsequent sperm numbers and motility in 16 artificial insemination boars. We also aimed to generate more knowledge on incidence of boar taint at slaughter among Finnish pigs, compare production performances as average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and carcass and meat quality (lean meat percentage, back fat, pH, color, androstenone, and skatole) of immunocastrated boars (n = 248) with those of entire boars (n = 268). Moreover, we aimed also to explore whether a fat biopsy taken at 16 weeks of age could already reveal the presence of boar taint compounds and be predictive of boar taint development at slaughter age. We found that 32% of entire boars (Figen Landrace, Figen Large White, and their crossbreed) slaughtered at an age of 25 weeks presented levels of androstenone and/or skatole above the threshold for boar taint in their meat. These boars (control) had higher androstenone and skatole levels in the back fat s les at slaughter (0.77 ± 0.55 and 0.09 ± 0.06 μg/g, respectively, mean ± standard deviation) than those in the immuno group (0.20 ± 0.25 and 0.06 ± 0.03 μg/g, respectively, P < 0.001). A single dose of anti-GnRH vaccine, given at 16 weeks of age, did not affect future sperm numbers and motility of boars selected for artificial insemination. We found no difference in the levels of testosterone, anti-GnRH antibodies titers, testicle morphology, and sperm numbers and motility between the boars vaccinated once, at 16 weeks of age, with anti-GnRH vaccine and the control boars (no vaccination). There were no differences in average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, lean meat percentage, and back fat between the immunocastrated boars and entire boars. Meat from immunocastrated boars had a higher pH and better color than meat from entire boars (P < 0.001), suggesting slightly improved meat quality.
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 11-2003
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-03-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2005.00670.X
Abstract: In swine artificial insemination, several dose regimens are applied, ranging from 1.5 x 10(9) to 6.0 x 10(9) spermatozoa per intra-cervical insemination dose. A lower sperm dose is more profitable for artificial insemination centres and offers a more effective use of superior boars. To evaluate fertility, 50 boars were used for a total of 10 773 homospermic first inseminations at a dose of 2 billion spermatozoa. In addition, 96 boars were used at a dose of 3 billion spermatozoa for 34 789 homospermic first inseminations. Fertility was determined by a 60-day non-return rate (NR%) of first inseminations. Litter size was registered by total number of piglets born separately in primiparous and multiparous farrowings. On average, a sow was inseminated 1.5 times. A significant decrease was observed in all three fertility parameters (NR%, litter size of both primiparous and multiparous farrowings) with a dose of 2 billion spermatozoa compared with a dose of 3 billion spermatozoa. The NR% was 75.8% and 84.0% (p < 0.001), the mean litter size of primiparous farrowings 10.1 and 10.7 (p < 0.001) and the mean litter size of multiparous farrowings 11.7 and 12.1 (p < 0.001) for 2 and 3 billion spermatozoa/dose, respectively. The proportion of normal spermatozoa in the sperm morphology analysis correlated significantly with NR% in both insemination regimens: p < 0.001, r = 0.604 and p < 0.05, r = 0.223 for 2 and 3 billion spermatozoa/dose, respectively. These results confirm that quantity can at least partly compensate for poor sperm quality. When the boars with <70% normal spermatozoa in the morphology evaluation were excluded from the data there were no correlation between the sperm morphology and NR%. However, the difference between the NR% and litter size remained statistically significant (p < 0.001) in favour for the bigger insemination dose. In conclusion, a decrease in sperm dose from 3 to 2 billion spermatozoa on commercial farms will severely decrease prolificacy at least under field conditions, where a sow is inseminated an average of 1.5 times/heat, and the semen is typically used within 3 days after collection. We recommend that under commercial circumstances the homospermic semen doses contain no <3 billion spermatozoa/dose.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-06-2020
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.13686
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2009.12.009
Abstract: A short duration of farrowing is important for piglet survival as a delay can increase the number of stillborn. Many factors may affect the duration of farrowing, including breed, age of the sow, length of gestation, number of piglets born, housing (CRATE vs. PEN), body condition of the sow and state of constipation. The aim of the present study was to investigate these factors and how they interact with each other and thus increasing the risk of prolonged farrowing. The total duration of farrowing and average piglet birth interval were recorded in 172 sows from two herds (HERD-1, n = 76 HERD-2, n = 96). Back-fat measurements and intestinal activity (based on the mean of a constipation index) were measured in all 172 sows. The total duration of farrowing was 272 +/- 152 min (mean +/- SD, n = 172): 301 +/- 165 min (n = 115) in the CRATE group and 212 +/- 95 min (n = 57 P < 0.05) in the PEN group. The average piglet birth interval was 26 +/- 25 min (mean +/- SD, n = 172): 29 +/- 29 min (n = 115) in the CRATE group and 19 +/- 10 min (n = 57 P < 0.05) in the PEN group. Housing (P < 0.05), stillborn (P < 0.001), back-fat average (P < 0.001) and constipation index (P < 0.05) significantly correlated with the duration of farrowing. In conclusion, allowing the sow to move freely before farrowing, reducing the constipation state and avoid excessive fattening during late pregnancy all appear to be key factors in shortening farrowing time and reducing perinatal mortality.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2017.01.003
Abstract: The hypothesis was that a prolonged parturition impairs placenta expulsion and can lead to retained placentas in sows. Furthermore, we hypothesized that application of oxytocin around the time of expulsion of the first placental part improves placenta expulsion. We recorded 142 parturitions of 101 Yorkshire x Large White sows. We determined parity, gestation length, number of liveborn and stillborn piglets, farrowing duration (time between first and last piglet) and the outcome variables: number of expelled placental parts, placenta expulsion duration (time between first and last placental part), first placental part expulsion (time between last piglet and first placental part) and last placental part expulsion (time between last piglet and last placental part). The relationship between farrowing duration and each of the outcome variables was investigated using four distinct multivariable models. Use of oxytocin (used in 44 out of 142 parturitions) increased number of expelled placental parts (3.8 ± 0.2 vs. 2.9 ± 0.3 P = 0.035), decreased the placenta expulsion duration (172 ± 44 vs. 328 ± 26 min P = 0.011) and time of last placental part expulsion (148 ± 48 vs. 300 ± 24 min P = 0.025). If oxytocin was not used, farrowing duration obeyed a quadratic relationship with the number of expelled placental parts (P = 0.001), placenta expulsion duration (P = 0.002) and time of last placental part expulsion (P = 0.024). If oxytocin was used, number of expelled placental parts was positively associated with number of liveborn piglets (β = 0.2 ± 0.1 P = 0.002) and affected by parity. 5th parity sows expelled more placental parts (4.3 ± 0.4) than 4th (3.2 ± 0.3 P = 0.024) and 3rd parity sows (2.7 ± 0.4 P = 0.008). Furthermore, placenta expulsion duration was positively associated with number of liveborn piglets (β = 18 ± 8 min P = 0.025). First placental part expulsion was negatively correlated with farrowing duration (β = 0.3 ± 0.1 P = 0.001). Sows that experienced total (no expulsion of placental parts n = 4) and partial retained placentas (no expulsion of placental parts after birth of the last piglet n = 4) had longer farrowing durations (1009 ± 275 and 734 ± 136 min) than sows with no retained placentas (369 ± 202 min P = 0.021 and P = 0.004). The results show that a prolonged parturition impaired and oxytocin improved placenta expulsion in sows. Furthermore, retained placentas occurred in 3-6% of the sows and was correlated with a prolonged parturition.
Publisher: Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.5187/JAST.2021.E3
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2018
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-03-2018
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.13170
Abstract: This study examined the extent to which prolonged farrowing and parity are associated with plasma oxytocin concentrations and follicular development of oestrous sows during subsequent insemination. A total of 30 sows were allocated to two groups based on farrowing duration: (i) SHORT (n = 14): 159 ± 29 min, (ii) LONG (n = 16): 533 ± 190 min. The sows were also ided into two parity classes: (i) YOUNG (n = 14): parity 2.5 ± 0.8, (ii) OLD (n = 16): parity 6.4 ± 2.3. After weaning, the ovaries were examined daily with transrectal ultrasound. On the second day of oestrus, blood s les were collected for oxytocin (OT) assay at -15, -10, -5, 0, +1, +2, +3, +4, +6, +8, +10, +15, +20, +25, +30, +40, +50 and +60 min with a boar contact between 0 and +10 min. Boar presence stimulated an increase in OT concentrations (p < .05). During boar presence, OT in the LONG group was higher than in the SHORT group (p < .01). The sows in the OLD group had a longer farrowing duration than in the YOUNG group (p < .05). OT levels and diameters of follicles were more relevant for parity than was the duration of farrowing. We therefore conclude that the OT levels and follicular development of oestrous sows are associated due to parity but difficult to be predicted from the duration of previous farrowing.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2011
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2019
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2003
DOI: 10.1071/RD03050
Abstract: The aims of the present study were: (1) to determine the duration of suppression of luteinising hormone (LH) following a single treatment with a gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist (BIM-21009 Biomeasure) at a dose of 100 μg kg−1 (2) to block LH pulses only for certain days of pregnancy and (3) to determine the period of early pregnancy most susceptible to suppression of LH. Three groups of gilts were injected with 100 μg kg−1 on Day 16 (n = 5), 14 (n = 6) or 19 (n = 4) of pregnancy. Blood for LH analysis was collected at 20-min intervals for 12 h on the day before treatment and during varying stages of early pregnancy. Blood for progesterone analysis was collected daily and development of pregnancy was followed using real-time ultrasound. Prior to treatment, gilts had 2.6 ± 0.7 LH pulses per 12 h. The GnRH antagonist abolished LH pulses for a period of 2.7 ± 1.8 days and, thereafter, suppressed the resumed LH pulses (P 0.05). Pregnancy was disrupted in three pigs (20%) with a mean treatment-to-abortion period of 4.7 days concurrent with a mean treatment-to-progesterone decline interval of 4.3 days. In a proportion of pigs, short-term LH suppression may cause early disruption of pregnancy.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2008
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 11-11-2019
DOI: 10.3390/ANI9110950
Abstract: Within the past 30 years, through ongoing technology and portability developments, real-time (b-mode) ultrasonography (RTU) has increasingly become a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing the female reproductive tract in swine. Initially applied in swine production to visually determine pregnancy status, RTU use has expanded to include assessment of the peri-pubertal and mature non-pregnant females as well. Transabdominal and transrectal modalities to visualizing the reproductive tract in swine have been reported with the transabdominal approach more common due to the fact of its ease of accessibility, animal ersonnel safety, and reduced time to perform. Adjustable frequency transducers are preferred as they allow optimization of image quality at various depths. If a single transducer frequency must be selected, a 5 MHz probe provides the best versatility for visualizing the reproductive tract in swine. Other basic requirements for ultrasound equipment which will be used on commercial swine farms include being light weight and easy to handle, readily cleanable and disinfectable, long battery-life, and good durability. When using RTU for pregnancy determination, diagnosis is based upon a combination of the animal’s breeding records, the presence of embryonic fluid, and, depending upon gestational stage, fetal structures. If RTU is used as a diagnostic tool in assessing reproductive problems in an in idual or a group of animals, sonographic evaluation of both the uterus and ovaries is performed. Tissues are delineated and assessed based upon their echogenicity, echotexture, and size. Uses of RTU in clinical practice may include assessment of delayed puberty, prolonged wean-to-estrus interval, absence of post-weaning estrus, herd disruptions in conception and farrowing rates, vulval discharge, peripartum and puerperal disorders. This review aims to provide an overview on principles and clinical uses of RTU with respect to application to address female reproductive performance issues in commercial swine operations.
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 2014
DOI: 10.1255/JNIRS.1086
Abstract: Recent investigations have proved the usefulness of spectroscopy in endoscopic examinations of the gastrointestinal tract in human medicine. However, current commercially available spectroscopy methods are relatively expensive. Near infrared (NIR) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy is a more cost-effective method. To assess its applicability for gastrointestinal endoscopy in veterinary medicine, in a pilot study we tested its feasibility for the differentiation of parts of the healthy gastrointestinal wall of pigs. Both white light standard endoscopy and NIR endoscopy were performed on the corpus, antrum and duodenum of seven clinically healthy pigs. General and gastrointestinal health was assessed by history, clinical examination and post-mortem examination. The spectral values of NIR endoscopy were obtained at intervals of about 0.3 nm in the range of 195–1118 nm. The method for the analysis of endoscopically taken NIR spectra consisted of pre-processing, feature extraction and classification. After smoothing, down-s ling and feature computing, spectral data were analysed using the principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) techniques. The best algorithm performance was achieved using the spectra-PCA-SVC, giving a classification rate of 0.76. Further research is needed to assess the applicability of NIR endoscopy in other species and in animals showing gastrointestinal pathology. To improve the classification rate, probe calibration must be optimised and cleanness of the gastrointestinal tract ensured.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2006
Abstract: The prevalence of lameness among 646 sows and gilts in 21 selected herds was determined 8.8 per cent of the animals were lame and the most common clinical diagnoses were osteochondrosis, infected skin lesions and claw lesions. The lame animals had higher serum concentrations of haptoglobin and C-reactive protein than the sound animals. Animals housed on slatted floors had twice the odds of being lame and 3.7 times the odds of being severely lame than animals housed on solid floors. Yorkshire pigs had 2.7 times the odds of being lame than Landrace or crossbred animals. Higher parity and the use of roughage decreased the odds of the sows not becoming pregnant however, lameness was not a risk factor for non-pregnancy.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2005
Abstract: Two artificial lighting regimens were studied in a commercial unit of 800 sows. The aim was to develop a simplified lighting regimen to overdrive the effects of season on reproduction. A long-day group had a constant 16 hours light and eight hours dark photoperiod in all units during a production cycle. A short-day group had eight hours of light and 16 hours darkness in a farrowing unit for four weeks and in a mating unit for four weeks. After one month of pregnancy the short-day group was transferred to 16 hours light and eight hours dark for the rest of the dry-sow period. Production data were collected for eight months, and the farrowing rate, weaning to oestrus interval, culling rate for fertility problems and the number of live-born piglets were analysed. Seasonal infertility, which had previously affected the herd, was not detected in either group during the follow-up period. The farrowing rate was 90 per cent for both groups. The median weaning to oestrus interval was five days in both lighting regimens with ranges from four to 74 days in the short-day group and three to 55 days in the long-day group. The long-day programme had a positive effect on the weaning to oestrus interval. When the sows were classified as either "normal", with a weaning to oestrus interval of up to 10 days, or "problem" animals, with a weaning to oestrus interval of over 10 days, the short-day programme also had a positive effect. The culling rate for fertility problems was 2.4 per cent for the short-day group and 3.2 per cent for the long-day group (P=0.027). The only significant predictor for the number of live-born piglets was parity (P=0.027).
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-07-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2007.01051.X
Abstract: The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to clarify the effect of re-modelling the breeding unit on farrowing rate. The original study population included 63 sow herds that participated in the Finnish herd surveillance system. In these herds, the breeding units were re-modelled between 1995 and 2002. Information about the production system and other herd data for the last year before and the second year after re-modelling were available for 47 herds. The herds had an average of 68.5 (SD 45) sows per herd. Data were collected during one farm visit per herd. Initially, all herds had in idual cages in their breeding units. The piggeries had either re-modelled their cages or switched to a group housing system with deep-litter, solid or slatted (partly or totally) floors. Farrowing rates were gathered from the national database, and data were tested with a linear regression model. Re-modelling did not have an effect on farrowing rate if initial reproductive performance of the herd was neglected. However, when farms were stratified according to performance prior to the beginning of study, namely into 'farms with initially high farrowing rate' (HF) and 'farms with initially low farrowing rate' (LF), the re-modelling had a significant effect on farrowing rate. In the HF farms, re-modelling caused a decrease in farrowing rate. Correspondingly, farrowing rate increased after remodelling in the LF farms. Farrowing rate was also influenced by mean parity of sows and by proportion of sows culled because of leg problems. This study could not show a profound impact of the design of the breeding unit on the fertility of the sow in the modern commercial production environment if the farm's reproductive performance before re-modelling was neglected. However, when initial performance was taken into account, re-modelling revealed significant, although varying effects on farrowing rate.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-1999
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(98)00159-6
Abstract: This study was undertaken to determine management and seasonal effects on fertility in 1298 Finnish sow units over a 4-year period in 1992-1996. A multivariate analysis of the herd record data was undertaken to study the effect of various management factors on rebreeding rate. Factors found to have an effect were further subjected to time series plotting for seasonal effects. In addition, seasonal effects on the farrowing rate, age of gilts at first mating and littersize as well as the 3-week litterweight were studied. Year and month caused the most significant variation in the rebreeding rate. Moreover, geographical area, herd and way of breeding (mating vs. artificial insemination) were found to be significant determinants of rebreeding rate. Dry sows loosely housed were more likely to be rebred than sows housed in in idual stalls. Sows receiving roughage feed (hay, straw) or bedding (straw) were less likely to require rebreeding. A significant seasonal fluctuation in farrowing rate was found with a nadir of 72.6% in August and a high of 80.9% in January. The average farrowing rate for the 4-year period was 77.7%. The age of gilts at first mating showed seasonal variation of 11 days (229.9 +/- 0.5 days in March and 241.4 +/- 0.5 days in November). In conclusion, this study indicates that group housing of dry sows increases the risk of rebreeding. In group housed sows, rebreeding more often occurs after an irregular oestrus-to-oestrus interval in summer-autumn whereas a not-in-pig seems to be a more common finding at late gestation in in idually housed sows.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-02-2019
DOI: 10.1093/JAS/SKZ066
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2007
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-08-2021
DOI: 10.3390/ANI11092511
Abstract: The weaning process represents a delicate phase for piglets, and is often characterized by lower feed intake, lower weight gain, diarrhea, and ultimately increased mortality. We aimed to determine the effects of RAC supplementation in diets on improving piglet growth and vitality, reducing post-weaning diarrhea, and enhancing gut health. In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial experiment, we selected forty sows and their piglets. Piglets were followed until seven weeks of age. There were no significant differences found between RAC treated and control piglets until weaning (p = 0.26). However, three weeks after weaning, RAC treated piglets had higher body weight and average daily growth (ADG) than the control piglets (p = 0.003). In addition, the piglets that received RAC after weaning, irrespective of mother or prior creep feed treatment, had lower post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) and fecal myeloperoxidase (MPO) level than control piglets. Gut microbiota analysis in post-weaning piglets revealed that RAC supplementation significantly increased Lachnospiraceae_unclassified, Blautia, Butyricicoccus, Gemmiger and Holdemanella, and decreased Bacteroidales_unclassified. Overall, RAC supplementation to piglets modulated post-weaning gut microbiota, improved growth performance after weaning, reduced post-weaning diarrhea and reduced fecal myeloperoxidase levels. We therefore consider RAC to be a potential natural feed supplement to prevent enteric infections and improve growth performance in weaning piglets.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2009.02.021
Abstract: The extent of inflammation associated with tail biting in finishing pigs was evaluated. Tail histopathology, carcass condemnation and the concentration of three acute phase proteins (APPs), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp), were examined in 12 tail-bitten and 13 control pigs. The median concentrations of APPs were higher (P<0.01) in bitten (CRP 617.5mg/L, range 80.5-969.9 SAA 128.0mg/L, 6.2-774.4 Hp 2.8g/L, 1.6-3.5) than in control pigs (CRP 65.7mg/L, 28.4-180.4 SAA 6.2mg/L, 6.2-21.4 Hp 1.2g/L, 0.9-1.5). There was a tendency for APP concentrations to rise with the histopathological score but the differences were only statistically significant between some of the scores. Five (42%) bitten cases and one (8%) control pig had partial carcass condemnations owing to abscesses (P=0.07). The results show that tail biting induces an inflammatory response in the tail end leading to an acute phase response and formation of carcass abscesses.
Publisher: Colegio Brasileiro de Reproducao Animal - CBRA
Date: 2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 2001
DOI: 10.1034/J.1600-079X.2001.300106.X
Abstract: The aims of the present study were: 1) to determine if the European wild boar exhibits a circadian pattern of melatonin secretion under its natural light environment 2) to compare this pattern with the pattern in domestic pigs reared under the light environment typical for domesticity and 3) to determine if there are seasonal alterations in melatonin rhythms. Four to six young, pure-bred, European wild boars and four to six cross-bred (Yorkshire x Finnish Landrace) domestic gilts were s led at 2-hr intervals for 48 hr at the spring/autumn equinoxes and summer/winter solstices. S les were obtained via saphenous arterial catheters from the wild boars and via ear vein catheters from the domestic gilts. The ambient light intensity was recorded simultaneously with s ling both outdoors and indoors. Following ether extraction, the serum s les were assayed for melatonin using a commercial RIA (Bühlman). All the experimental animals exhibited a distinct circadian pattern in melatonin secretion, with high concentrations occurring during the scotophase. There was no difference in scotophase melatonin response between the wild boars and domestic gilts in any season in terms of mean melatonin concentration or peak value. The mean duration of increased melatonin secretion (more than two standard deviations over a mean photophase concentration) in 24 hr in the wild boars in spring, summer, autumn and winter, was 10, 6, 11 and 17 hr, respectively, and in the domestic gilts, 9, 8, 12 and 11 hr, respectively. These results demonstrate the existence of circadian rhythm in melatonin secretion in both the European wild boar and domestic pig. In both groups, the duration of secretion is subject to seasonal alterations. The results suggest no difference in photoperiodic-melatonin transduction between the European wild boar and domestic pig whether due to altered genotype or reduced light environment.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-05-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2008.01094.X
Abstract: The effect of uterine AI with a standard dose of spermatozoa on fertility of the sow was studied in a field trial. The trial involved a sow pool system with 440 sows using AI as the primary method of breeding. Sows were twice a day checked for oestrus symptoms by back pressure test in front of a boar on days 3-6 after weaning. When in standing heat, sows were randomly allocated into either a uterine insemination group (UTER, n = 157) or standard AI group (CONT, n = 169) and bred accordingly using 3 billion spermatozoa in 80 ml of extender. In both treatment groups, insemination was repeated once if the sow was still receptive 24 h later. Using pregnancy (farrowed or not) and live-born litter size as the outcome variables, a logistic and linear regression approach, respectively, was taken to study the effect of the following factors: treatment (UTER vs CONT), AI operator, breed, satellite herd preceding weaning, parity, weaning-to-oestrus interval and length of lactation. Overall, live-born litter size was 11.3 +/- 2.9, repeat breeding rate 4.2% and farrowing rate 91.2%. In the UTER group, 93.6% of inseminated sows farrowed, whereas farrowing rate for the CONT group was 88.8% (p = 0.13). Intrauterine insemination with a standard AI dose did not result in a significant improvement in the live-born litter size (11.5 +/- 2.8 for the UTER and 11.1 +/- 3.0 for the CONT sows, respectively, p = 0.13). However, the preceding satellite herd had a highly significant effect on the live-born litter size (12.4 +/- 2.6 11.1 +/- 2.9 10.8 +/- 2.9 and 10.9 +/- 2.9 for the four satellite herds, p < 0.01). We conclude that uterine insemination did not have a significant effect on live-born litter size and farrowing rate and we also conclude that satellite herd appears to have a major effect on fertility in a sow pool system.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2005
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2004.07.004
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine a possible difference in progesterone concentrations between the systemic venous blood and the caudal vena cava in early pregnant gilts. Nineteen crossbred pregnant gilts were offered three different regimens of feeding to examine influence of feeding on the secretion pattern of progesterone. The groups were high (H-H), low (L-L) and low-high (L-H) receiving 3.6, 1.8 and 1.8/3.6 kg/day, respectively. Catheters were placed in a jugular vein and the caudal vena cava (to s le ovarian secretion) on day 19 of pregnancy. Two consecutive s les taken at 30-min intervals were collected four times a day for 5 days (days 20-24). In addition, three gilts were simultaneously s led from both catheters at 30-min intervals for 12 h on day 22. Progesterone concentration was significantly lower in the jugular vein compared with the caudal vena cava in all three feeding groups (P<0.001). An indication of episodic pattern of progesterone production occurred in plasma collected from the caudal vena cava, but not from the jugular vein. Dietary intake did not cause a profound effect on plasma progesterone concentrations during days 20-24 of gestation. It seemed that ovarian progesterone was released into the vena cava in an episodic pattern and there were implications that these episodes were temporally associated with LH pulses.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-10-2013
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-2007
Abstract: Data were collected on the housing, management and disease factors in the weaning and finishing units of 49 integrated pig herds, 24 of them with a high incidence of arthritis at slaughter (case herds) and 25 with a low incidence (control herds). A median of 5.2 per cent (range 3.7 to 12.4 per cent) of the slaughtered pigs in the case herds had arthritis at meat inspection, compared with 2.2 per cent (range 0.3 to 2.8 per cent) in the control herds. In the farrowing units, high clinical sign scores for the lactating sows and piglets less than one week old and a low age at castration were associated with the case herds. In the weaning units, the herds with open partitions between the pens were 5.6 times more likely to be a case herd than the herds with solid walls. A higher age at weaning and moving the piglets at weaning from the farrowing pen instead of the sows decreased the likelihood of being a case herd. In the finishing units, a higher score for clinical signs, using a proper hospital pen, disinfecting the pens between the groups and using a feeding plan increased the likelihood of being a case herd. In total, 145 condemned joints, a median of four (up to six per herd), were collected at the slaughterhouse. In the case herds, 71 of 76 joints (93.4 per cent) had lesions related to osteochondrosis and in the control herds 66 of 69 joints (95.6 per cent) had such lesions. Only two of 11 joints from the case herds and one of 12 joints from the control herds that were examined bacteriologically were positive for Stapylococcus aureus and/or Streptococcus species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2014
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-08-2007
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2007.00852.X
Abstract: A total of 21 sow herds were randomly chosen to determine the prevalence of vulvar discharge syndrome (VDS) in loosely housed sows. The median VDS prevalence was low as expected, 0% (range 0-4.5%). Nine of the 655 animals examined (1.4%, 95% CI 0.5-2.3) displayed signs of VDS in 21 non-problem herds. In addition, five VDS problem farms were visited to gather more animals affected with the syndrome in order to estimate which methods of examination are useful. Altogether, 19 VDS animals and 19 healthy controls were found, inspected and s led. Ten of the VDS animals (53%) and three of the controls (16%) were positive in bacterial culture (p = 0.04) taken with a guarded swab from the anterior vagina. In addition, 94% of VDS animals had a positive vaginoscopic examination result and the corresponding figure in the control sows was 28% (p < 0.0002). Cytological smears were classified as positive in 37% of the case sows and in 5% of the control sows (p = 0.04). Detection of vulvar discharge was associated with vaginoscopic examination findings (p = 0.0005) and with bacteriology (p = 0.04), but not with leucocyte counts (p = 0.07). Susceptibility testing was performed on pure bacterial cultures. Totally, 7 (44%) of 16 isolates were considered to be resistant or showed intermediate susceptibility to at least one of the antimicrobial agents tested (sulpha-trimethoprim and icillin). In conclusion, we found vaginoscopy and bacteriology as valid tools in diagnosis of VDS and susceptibility testing of antimicrobial treatments was found to be indicated.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2013.06.013
Abstract: The effect of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ketoprofen on the post farrowing phase of sows was studied in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Ketoprofen (3mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly to 20 healthy sows for 3 days post-partum (p.p.). The control group (n=20) received a saline placebo. Backfat, number of days of constipation and days before feed refusal were measured. Body condition (BCS) and shoulder sores were scored for 1 week p.p. Changes in BCS, backfat and shoulder sore scores were analysed with ANOVA. Blood was collected on days -1, 0, 5 and 14 with respect to medication. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine kinase (CK), haptoglobin and serum amyloid A (SAA) were quantified and analysed with a Mann-Whitney U test. BCS and backfat decreased less following ketoprofen administration than with the placebo (-0.08 ± 0.2 vs. -0.8 ± 0.2, 1.0 ± 0.8mm vs. -2.0 ± 0.9 mm, respectively P<0.05 for both) during the first 2 weeks of lactation. The shoulder sore score deterioration was milder during days 4-6 p.p. with ketoprofen than placebo (P<0.05). Duration of constipation was shorter with ketoprofen than placebo (5.5 ± 0.3 vs. 6.4 ± 0.3 days p.p. P<0.05). Incidences of feed refusal occurred later in the ketoprofen group than in the placebos (9.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.8 ± 0.8 days p.p. P<0.05). AST and SAA values were higher after ketoprofen administration than placebo on day 5 p.p. (P<0.05). It was concluded that ketoprofen appeared to benefit sows during the first 2 weeks post farrowing, but caused some tissue irritation.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 07-2012
DOI: 10.1136/VR.100431
Abstract: In order to determine the effective dose, the effects of orally administered ketoprofen were evaluated in pigs following intravenous challenge with Escherichia coli endotoxin. One hour after the challenge, five groups of pigs were treated with either tap water or ketoprofen (0.5 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 2 mg/kg or 4 mg/kg). The body temperature was measured and a total clinical score was calculated after assessing the general behaviour, respiratory rate and locomotion of the pigs. Thromboxane B(2) and ketoprofen concentrations were analysed from blood s les. Ketoprofen treatment significantly reduced the rectal temperature and total clinical scores, and lowered blood thromboxane B(2) concentrations when compared with the control group. Ketoprofen plasma concentrations were lower than previously reported in healthy pigs after similar doses. The appropriate dose of orally administered ketoprofen in pigs in this model is 2 mg/kg, as the higher dose of 4 mg/kg failed to provide an additional benefit.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2020
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/RD15435
Abstract: The aims of the present study was to develop and describe a transvaginal ultrasound-guided biopsy method for luteal tissue in the porcine and to evaluate the effects of the method on the reproductive tract, ovarian status and pregnancy status. Biopsies were performed in four multiparous sows on Days 9 and 15 of three consecutive oestrous cycles the size and histological composition of the s les obtained were evaluated and the reproductive tract of the sows was monitored. Furthermore, biopsies were performed in 26 multiparous sows on Days 10 and 13 after insemination, and the pregnancy rate, gestation length and subsequent litter size were evaluated. RNA was extracted from the s les obtained and the quality and quantity were determined. Altogether, 76 biopsies were performed and 38 s les were obtained. Compared with sows from which no s les were obtained (n = 6), sows from which one or more s les were obtained (n = 24) were older (parity 5.0 ± 2.8 vs 2.2 ± 0.4, mean ± s.d.), heavier (290 ± 26 vs 244 ± 27 kg) and had higher back fat (11.4 ± 2.7 vs 6.4 ± 2.5 mm P 0.05 for all). No effect of the biopsies (P 0.05) was observed on the cyclicity and reproductive organs of the sows, or on corpus luteum diameter on Day 13 (8.9 ± 1.0 vs 9.2 ± 1.1 mm), pregnancy rate (95% vs 96%), gestation length (115 ± 1 vs 115 ± 1 days) and subsequent litter size (12.7 ± 2.5 vs 13.3 ± 2.8) between sows from which s les were obtained and those from which no s les were obtained. The s les obtained had a diameter of 1 mm and contained heterogeneous tissue with various cell types. The RNA quantity was 520 ± 160 µg per s le and the RNA integrity number was 8.5 ± 1.0. In conclusion, an ultrasound-guided biopsy method for ovarian tissue, which can be used for gene expression studies, was established in the porcine. No effect on corpus luteum function was found.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-08-2015
Publisher: Korean Society of Animal Science and Technology
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.RVSC.2019.05.009
Abstract: The present study aimed to use behavioural measures to assess pain induced by surgical castration of piglets, and evaluate the efficacy of pain-relief medications. In total, 143 male piglets from 29 sows were used. The treatments included: 1) non-castration (NC n = 28), 2) castration without medication (SC n = 29), 3) castration with meloxicam injection 0.4 mg/kg i.m. (ME n = 28), 4) castration with 0.5 ml of 2% lidocaine in each testicle (LA n = 29), and 5) castration with general inhalation anaesthesia using isoflurane (1.5%) and meloxicam injection (GA n = 29). Behaviour was monitored continuously for a ten minute period one hour prior to castration (-1 h), as well as immediately (0 h), one hour (1 h), and two hours (2 h) after castration. Behaviour was also monitored twice (08:00 and 20:00) during the following day. Compared to -1 h, castration induced changes in several behavioural measures in SC piglets at 0 h, suggesting that castration was painful. Furthermore, inactive standing or sitting, tail wagging and aggressive behaviour differed between SC and NC piglets at 0 h. ME and LA piglets spent less time standing or sitting inactively, and LA and GA piglets showed more tail wagging than SC piglets at 0 h (P < 0.05 for all). No other behavioural measures differed among the various groups of castrated piglets. In conclusion, the results indicate that surgical castration is indeed painful. However, the efficacy of various pain-relief protocols in piglets shortly after castration was not verified.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2019
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.13463
Abstract: The use of hyperprolific sow lines has increased litter size considerably in the last three decades. Nowadays, in some countries litters can reach up to 18-20 piglets being a major challenge for the sow's physiology during pregnancy, parturition and lactation. The increased number of piglets born per litter prolongs sensibly the duration of farrowing, decreases the piglets' average weight at birth and their vitality, increases the competition for colostrum intake and can affect negatively piglets' survival. This review aims to describe how large litters can affect the immune system of the sow and the piglets and proposes measures to improve this condition.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-2995.2008.00443.X
Abstract: To investigate a combination of azaperone, detomidine, butorphanol and ketamine (DBK) in pigs and to compare it with the combination of azaperone, tiletamine and zolazepam (TZ). Prospective, randomized, blinded, cross-over study. Twelve clinically healthy crossbred pigs aged about 2 months and weighing 16-25 kg. Pigs were pre-medicated with azaperone (4 mg kg(-1)). Ten minutes later anaesthesia was induced with intramuscular DBK (detomidine 0.08 mg kg(-1), butorphanol 0.2 mg kg(-1), ketamine 10 mg kg(-1)) or TZ (tiletamine and zolazepam 5 mg kg(-1)). The pigs were positioned in dorsal recumbency. Heart and respiratory rates, posture, anaesthesia score, PaO(2), PaCO(2), pH and bicarbonate concentration were measured. t-test was used to compare the areas under time-anaesthesia index curve (AUC(anindex)) between treatments. Data concerning heart and respiratory rates, PaO(2), PaCO(2) and anaesthesia score were analysed with anova for repeated measurements. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for the data concerning the duration of sedation and anaesthesia. The sedation, analgesia and anaesthesia lasted longer after DBK than TZ. The AUC(anscore) were 863 +/- 423 and 452 +/- 274 for DBK and TZ, respectively (p = 0.002). The duration of surgical anaesthesia lasted a median of 35 minutes (0-105 minutes) after DBK and a median of 15 minutes (0-35 minutes) after TZ (p = 0.05). Four pigs after DBK and six after TZ did not achieve the plane of surgical anaesthesia. The heart rate was lower after DBK than after TZ. Both treatments had similar effects on the other parameters measured. At the doses used DBK was more effective than TZ for anaesthesia in pigs under field conditions. The combinations can be used for sedation and minor field surgery in pigs. The doses and drugs chosen were insufficient to produce a reliable surgical plane of anaesthesia in these young pigs.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-03-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2009.12.019
Abstract: The objective of this study was to analyze the relative roles of high temperature and photoperiod as environmental factors of seasonal infertility in swine. The results of five years (2003-2007) of ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis carried out in 266 indoor farms were analyzed. For all farms, the data covered the entire study period. The farms were situated in four French regions. The data of 22,773 batches and 610,117 sows were included. Seasonal infertility was defined as the relative difference between the fertility rate in 'summer' (inseminations in weeks 25-42) and 'winter' (inseminations in weeks 1-18 of the same year). In each region, two meteorological variables were defined, based on the data of a reference weather station: the number of hot days (maximum temperature >or= 25 degrees C) and tropical days (maximum temperature >or= 32 degrees C and minimum temperature >or= 18 degrees C). The mean fertility was 85%. The median seasonal infertility was 2.8% and more than 7.1% for a quarter of farms. Seasonal infertility did not vary with areas or baseline fertility (defined for each studied farm as the average winter fertility over five years). Seasonal infertility differed with the year (p<0.001). Seasonal infertility was significantly higher during 2003 than in the other four years, which did not differ among each other. In the four regions, 2003 was the year with the highest number of hot days and 2007 with the least. Our study strengthens the hypothesis of a prominent role of photoperiod in seasonal infertility and of an additional role of heat stress the hottest years.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 25-04-2022
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2009
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2010
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-01-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2006.00658.X
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the antibody response for porcine parvovirus (PPV) of 39 gilts in field conditions after vaccination. Gilts from four herds endemically infected with PPV were injected twice with a commercial vaccine of inactivated PPV and Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. The PPV antibodies were analysed both with haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in order to study the agreement between these methods. The possible association between high-antibody titres and reproductive failure (repeat breeding, culling for infertility, 1:512 by mid-pregnancy was not associated with reproductive failure.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 18-11-2010
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2009.01477.X
Abstract: The effect of ad libitum (ADLIB) feeding strategy on the fertility of the group housed sow was studied in a prospective field trial during 1.5 years. All study animals farrowed under standard farrowing circumstances in crates, and they were provided with an ad libitum feeding throughout the 30-day lactation. After weaning, animals were randomly allocated to one of the two dry sow feeding strategies (AD LIB or CONT). After oestrus detection in groups, they were artificially inseminated and moved into pregnancy pens with partially slatted floor, in groups of 40 sows each. The ADLIB sows (n = 447) were loose housed and provided with ad libitum access to 7.7 MJ/kg feed high in fibre from two feeders per group. The control sows (n = 479 CONT) were also loose housed and given a standard dry sow feed in feeding stalls once a day (2.5 kg/day. The energy content of the feed was 9.3 MJ/kg NE). The feeding strategy (ADLIB vs CONT) had no effect on pregnancy rate (85.8 vs 90.9, p > 0.05), weaning to oestrus interval (7.7 vs 7.3 days, p > 0.05), piglets born alive (11.5 ± 3.5 vs 11.6 ± 3.3, p > 0.05), stillborn piglets (1.2 ± 1.8 vs 0.9 ± 1.5, p > 0.05) nor on progesterone concentration (p > 0.05). CONT sows weaned more piglets (9.7 ± 2.2 vs 9.4 ± 2.0, p < 0.01), whereas the piglets of AD LIB sows were heavier at weaning (8.8 ± 0.9 vs 8.0 ± 1.3 kg, p < 0.05). In conclusion, ad libitum feeding with a high in fibre diet during pregnancy did not affect the reproductive performance.
Publisher: Wageningen Academic Publishers
Date: 14-08-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-1997
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(97)00079-1
Abstract: This work was undertaken to study the effects of energy intake and gut fill on LH secretion in the early pregnant gilt to investigate the role of the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis in the seasonal disruption of pregnancy. Four groups of mated gilts (N = 23 in total) were in idually housed and fed four different energy levels (23, 46, 47 and 55 megajoules digestible energy per day, MJ DE day-1) for two weeks after mating during the season identified as a period of increased rate of early pregnancy failures from January till April (summer-autumn). The energy content of base feed (13 MJ kg-1) was increased by means of adding a fat supplement (soybean oil) to the feed of two groups of gilts, while the other two groups were given different levels of the basic feed. The groups gained weight and backfat according to energy intake levels during the two-week period. Frequent blood s les (15-min interval) collected on day 14 revealed a significant treatment effect on LH pulse litude: the group on the highest energy intake level (55 MJ DE day-1) had higher LH pulse litude compared with the other groups (1.01 +/- 0.04, 0.74 +/- 0.04, 0.72 +/- 0.08 and 0.66 +/- 0.05 ng ml-1 in the descending order of energy intake, P 0.10). Plasma insulin concentrations tended to increase (P < 0.08) in each group with time after feeding, but no significant differences between the treatment groups were found. Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were decreased 1 h after feeding (P < 0.05) in all but the group on 55 MJ DE day-1. This group also had higher postprandial FFA concentrations in comparison with other groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results show that energy density of feed and energy intake have little effect on LH secretion in the early pregnant gilt. Protective effect of high feeding level against seasonal disruption of pregnancy appears to be mediated by mechanisms other than an alteration in LH secretion.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JAS/SKAA140
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2010
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-2020
DOI: 10.1093/JAS/SKAA144
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2001
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(01)00077-X
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of the photophase light intensity on the scotophase melatonin response. Twelve, 8-month-old crossbred gilts were allocated to three groups of four and housed in temperature- and lighting-controlled climate rooms. The rooms had a light intensity of 40, 200 or 10,000 lx and a light-dark cycle of 12 L:12 D. The gilts were allowed to acclimatize to a new lighting regimen for 1 week before being s led at 2h intervals for 24h. Following the s ling, pigs were transferred under a different light intensity, allowed to adjust for 1 week and s led again. The procedure was repeated three times so that all the groups went through all three lighting regimens (light intensities). All the gilts exhibited a clear circadian serum melatonin rhythm under each lighting regimen with high melatonin concentrations occurring during the scotophase. There was no difference in the scotophase melatonin response in terms of mean concentrations or duration of increased melatonin levels within or between the groups under different lighting regimens. There was considerable inter-in idual variation in the dark phase melatonin response but the in idual profiles were consistent under the different lighting regimens. It is concluded that when a certain threshold light intensity (<40lx) is exceeded, the photophase light intensity has no effect on the scotophase melatonin response. These results imply that extremely high light intensities during the photophase would provide no additional benefits compared with normal comfortable light intensity, if artificial lighting programs were introduced to commercial piggeries in order to reduce seasonal effects on reproduction.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 12-04-2019
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2000
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-11-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S40813-019-0132-Y
Abstract: A high rate of euthanized and spontaneously dead sows causes production losses and likely indicates underlying welfare problems. Identification of predisposing factors to on-farm deaths requires a thorough understanding of the causes. Post-mortem examination is needed for a proper diagnosis. The aims of this descriptive study were to determine causes of spontaneous deaths and euthanasia in sows in a convenience s le of Finnish herds and to describe pathological findings in the locomotor system and in teeth and gums. This study described post-mortem findings in 65 sows found dead or euthanized on 15 farms. All but one of the sows presented with two or more pathological findings. The majority of primary pathologic-anatomic diagnoses (PAD-1) were inflammatory. The most prevalent diagnoses were arthritis and peritonitis (9% of sows each). The locomotor system was the body part most commonly affected by lesions. Findings in the locomotor system unassociated with death were present in 85% of the animals, additionally 29% of PAD-1 s concerned the locomotor system. The prevalence for both degenerative joint disease and tooth wear was 71%. Farmers had noted clinical signs within 30 days of death in every euthanized sow and in half of the spontaneously dead ones. The farmer’s impression of the cause of death agreed at least partly with the PAD-1 in 44% of the cases. Multiple pathologies were the norm in the present animals. This may indicate an extended course of illness and therefore also an unnecessary delay in medical treatment or euthanasia. The prevalence and clinical relevance of the most common disorders, including degenerative joint disease and tooth wear, need to be elucidated.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 31-05-2005
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2005.00582.X
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine whether the seasonal delay in puberty in autumn is driven by in idual differences in night-time melatonin secretion in domestic gilts at the attainment of puberty. A group of spring-born gilts (n = 30) were expected to reach puberty in autumn by the age of 7 months. Eighteen of these gilts were selected in pairs on the basis of matched days of birth. By the expected time, half of the animals showed oestrous symptoms (group CYCLING, n = 9) with the rest remaining silent (group SILENT, n = 9). Afterwards, all gilts were fitted with indwelling jugular catheters for frequent blood s ling. Blood s les were collected from all animals three times during the day followed by three times in the night at 2-h intervals for 48 h. The s les were analysed by a commercial radioimmunoassay (RIA). The results show a consistent 25-fold rise (on average) in night-time melatonin concentration in every animal s led with group averages ranging from 0.28 +/- 0.04 to 0.37 +/- 0.06 pg/ml at day and from 10.20 +/- 2.16 to 10.67 +/- 0.05 pg/ml at night. Night-time group mean values between CYCLING and SILENT gilts did not differ significantly (10.26 +/- 0.67 and 10.38 +/- 0.94 for the CYCLING 10.67 +/- 0.05 and 10.20 +/- 2.16 for the SILENT). When 10 pg/ml was used as a threshold value, six in iduals did not reach it during the night (low responders). Two of these gilts were CYCLING and four were SILENT. In conclusion, the results presented imply no involvement of the level of night-time melatonin concentration in the seasonal delay of puberty in gilts.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2007.03.015
Abstract: We investigated the effect of two types of housing on the duration of farrowing and the physiology of sows before and after farrowing. We assigned 20 sows (PEN) to farrowing pens (210 cm x 335 cm) enriched with straw bedding and 18 sows (CRATE) were placed in farrowing crates (80 cm x 210 cm) with no bedding material. We s led the animals during period A (from day -5 before farrowing to day +1 of lactation) and during period B (from days +2 to +5 of lactation). We took daily venous blood s les for progesterone measurements and four salivary s les per day (at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00) for cortisol determination. In addition, intensive blood s ling was performed in 18 catheterised sows (9 PEN and 9 CRATE) to determine the level of oxytocin during farrowing. The treatment had no effect on litter size, piglet mortality at birth and weaning, growth of the piglets between days 1 and 5 of life. We found no significant difference in the cortisol concentration between the two groups during period A (p=0.36). Significant difference was found in period B, where the CRATE group had a higher concentration of cortisol than the PEN group (p=0.03). Progesterone concentration did not differ between the two groups (p=0.80). The duration of farrowing was on average 93 min longer in the CRATE sows (n=15), with a mean of 311+/-35 min (mean+/-S.D.), than in the PEN sows (n=19), with a mean of 218+/-24 min (p=0.03). In addition, the mean interval between each piglet expulsion was longer in the CRATE group (n=11), with a mean of 25+/-4 min, than in the PEN group (n=15) with a mean of 16+/-2 min (p=0.05). During farrowing, the post-expulsion oxytocin pulses average tended to be higher in the PEN group (77.6+/-47.6 ng/ml) than in the CRATE group (38.1+/-24.6 pg/ml) (p=0.08). The concentration of oxytocin strongly affected the duration of farrowing (p<0.001). In conclusion, this study showed that the environment influences the physiology of the sow during farrowing and early lactation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-12-2022
DOI: 10.1186/S40813-022-00299-2
Abstract: Litter size is going up in modern pig production. Due to large litter size and increased farrowing duration, newborn piglets, during parturition, can suffer from asphyxiation. This alters their blood energy parameters and can contribute to their reduced vitality at birth, which is detrimental to their growth performance and survival. We aimed to evaluate the effects of vitality score, piglets’ umbilical cord blood lactate, glucose, and butyrate, and birth order on growth performance and the preweaning mortality of piglets. The more vital (vitality score 2, VS2) piglets had higher umbilical cord blood glucose and butyrate, lower blood lactate, and higher colostrum intake (CI) at birth, and showed higher body weight at birth and at weaning than did less vital piglets (vitality score 1, VS1). Umbilical cord lactate negatively correlated with vitality, colostrum intake, and growth before weaning. Among the four birth-order groups (BOGs), piglets born earlier during parturition had a higher mean vitality score than those born later. BOG1 and BOG2 had significantly higher CI ( p 0.05) than BOG3 and BOG4. Changes in piglets’ body weight, colostrum intake, and umbilical cord lactate are associated with piglet vitality and asphyxiation during farrowing. In addition, asphyxiation induced higher umbilical cord lactate may serve as an indicator of low vitality and low colostrum consumption. Overall, improvement in piglets’ vitality and in the farrowing process can help in reducing piglet mortality.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-03-2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2017
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2000
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(00)00092-0
Abstract: Recent advances in research on seasonal infertility are discussed with a special focus on implications of the generally recommended restricted post-mating feeding strategy of the early pregnant gilt and sow for the physiology of seasonal infertility. The endocrinological basis of seasonal breeding of the wild and domestic pig is being clarified: as in other seasonal breeders, melatonin is relaying photoperiodic information about season to the pituitary-gonadal axis. Earlier confusion on this matter appears to have been caused by a lack of specificity of the melatonin assays employed. Group housing of the pregnant sow is becoming a common practice and, as an important environmental risk factor for seasonal infertility, may lead to an increase in the incidence of seasonal infertility in the future. After an initial progesterone-mediated beneficial effect on embryonic survival, a restricted post-mating feeding strategy may have a negative effect on maintenance of early pregnancy in the gilt and sow in the summer-autumn period. The endocrinological mechanism of seasonal disruption of pregnancy is yet to be determined. However, it is proposed that LH is reduced in the summer-autumn period and this reduction is lified by the commonly applied restricted post-mating feeding strategy. These changes in LH secretion, although not as such inducing CL regression, may exert a progesterone-mediated detrimental effect on the capability of embryos to produce adequate embryonic signaling. This may lead to a seasonal disruption of pregnancy and a return to oestrus 25-30 days after mating.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1071/RD15016
Abstract: The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between systemic and local progesterone secretion and LH pulsatility during implantation in the pig. Differences in progesterone concentrations measured locally in the caudal vena cava and systemically in the jugular vein were studied in eight primiparous sows on Day 14 of pregnancy. LH pulsatility was analysed for its effects on the local progesterone-releasing pattern. Mean (± s.d.) progesterone concentrations in the vena cava (65.5 ± 19.8 ng mL–1) were approximately double basal concentrations (33.6 ± 13.1 ng mL–1). Basal concentrations of progesterone and LH were calculated as the average of the lowest six values. Basal caudal vena cava and mean jugular (27.6 ± 1.5 ng mL–1) progesterone concentrations did not differ significantly. Pre- and postprandial jugular progesterone concentrations were significantly different in the morning and afternoon (P = 0.025 and 0.023). Mean LH ranged from 0.24 to 0.43 ng mL–1 and was approximately double as high as basal LH in in idual sows. In 60.8% of cases, LH pulses were followed by a progesterone pulse within 1 h. In conclusion, the present study showed that corpus luteum function appears to respond to LH pulsatility on Day 14 of pregnancy. However, the response varies at the level of in idual sows. In addition, systemic postprandial decreases in progesterone were confirmed on Day 14 of pregnancy.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 10-2016
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.12798
Abstract: In this review, we address significant characteristics of parturition in the pig and their connection to post-partum reproductive health and fertility. We discuss the normal physiology and behaviour around parturition and the effect of the second phase (expulsion of foetuses) on the third phase of parturition (expulsion of foetal membranes). In addition, we intend to cover retained placenta, and the connection to post-partum uterine health and fertility in the contemporary prolific sow. We also explore factors that support successful parturition or can cause potential problems. Successful parturition in the pig includes the possibility to express adequate maternal behaviour, rapid expulsion of the piglets, complete expulsion of the placenta, neonatal activity and colostrum intake. Abnormal incidents during any phase of parturition can cause subsequent problems. Duration of the expulsion phase of foetuses can be used as a simple measure of whether parturition is considered successful. Prolonged parturition can impair health of the sow and piglet and fertility after weaning. New insights, such as adding more fibre to sow diets during pregnancy, and especially during the period prior to farrowing, may prevent constipation, increase water intake of the sow around parturition and increase milk intake and performance of piglets. Maternal characteristics, including maternal behaviour, ease of parturition, colostrum production and piglet quality parameters, may be utilized to improve success rate of reproductive management during farrowing and early lactation. Additionally, we share some of the recent developments in methods, including ultrasonography in evaluation of post-partum uterine health. In conclusion, successful farrowing is of the greatest importance for reproductive health of the sow and survival of the piglets. We suggest connections exist among prolonged farrowing and yield of colostrum, retained placenta, development of PDS, and impaired involution of the uterus and reduced subsequent fertility.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2017.10.003
Abstract: It was hypothesized that prolonged parturition and impaired placenta expulsion increase the risk of postpartum metritis and delay uterine involution. At parturition, for 99 Yorkshire x Large White sows (parity 2-5), we determined the number of liveborn (NLP 14.8 ± 3.4) and stillborn piglets (NSP 1.1 ± 1.1), farrowing duration (FAR, time between first and last piglet 333 ± 249 min), placenta expulsion duration (PLA, time between first and last placental part 292 ± 241 min) and number of expelled placental parts (PART 3.0 ± 1.0). FAR was categorized as 'normal' ( 300 min n = 55/99). The relative PLA (rPLA (PLA * 100)/FAR 76 ± 101%) and the relative PART (rPART (PART * 100)/(NLP + NSP) 22 ± 8%) were calculated and placenta expulsion was categorized as 'normal' (rPLA and rPART > 10% n = 93/99) or 'impaired' (relPLA and relPART < 10% n = 6/99). We also recorded whether manual palpation occurred (Yes/No) and/or oxytocin was used (Yes/No). After parturition, an ultrasound examination of the uterus was performed once for each sow between the 2nd and 7th day postpartum and the uterine size (mean sectional area of three to five uterine cross-sections) and intrauterine fluid accumulation (Yes/No) were recorded. Uterine size was categorized as 'normal' (n = 55/99) or 'enlarged' (n = 44/99) and used as an indicator of delayed uterine involution. Intrauterine fluid was used as an indicator of metritis. Prolonged FAR (35/54, 2.0 ± 0.5, 13.1, 7.6 n/N, β ± SE, Wald χ2, Odds P = 0.001), manual palpation (12/17, 1.5 ± 0.7, 4.4, 4.3 P = 0.036), oxytocin administration (18/31, - 1.5 ± 0.7, 4.7, 0.2, P = 0.040) and NSP ≥ 2 (15/21, 1.4 ± 0.7, 3.8, 3.9 P = 0.052) were associated with increased uterine size (n = 44/99) and NSP ≥ 2 (7/21, 2.6 ± 0.9, 8.7, 13.7 P = 0.003), manual palpation (10/17, 1.8 ± 0.8, 5.0, 6.0 P = 0.025), prolonged FAR (13/15, 1.7 ± 0.8, 4.3, 5.7 P = 0.039) and impaired PLA (4/6, 3.3 ± 1.7, 4.0, 26.9 P = 0.044) with intrauterine fluid accumulation (n = 15/99). The results confirm the hypothesis, indicating that prolonged parturition and impaired placenta expulsion increased the risk for postpartum metritis. Stillborn piglets and manual palpation were also identified as risk factors. Postpartum metritis delays uterine involution whereas the use of exogenous oxytocin supports it.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-11-2008
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2007.00976.X
Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short or long day light regimes on the reproductive performance in the sow. The study comprised approximately 1300 sows and their 3400 breedings in three commercial sow pools, in which a batch farrowing of 40 sows was employed. Each batch remained in the farrowing unit for 8 weeks under either a short day (10 h light, 14 h dark) or a long day (14 h light, 10 h dark) light regime. After weaning and transportation to the central unit, all sows were kept under the long day regime until they were moved back to the farrowing unit. Production results for each in idual sow were recorded. The effect of the two different light regimes on the farrowing rate (FR) and on the weaning-to-oestrous interval was evaluated using logistic and Poisson regression models, respectively. The light regime affected none of the parameters significantly. The FR in June, July and August did, however, drop below that in December, January and February (OR 0.7, p < 0.05). The FR was affected by the sow pool (p < 0.01). Parity two sows exhibited a lower FR (OR 0.5, p = 0.05) and higher incidence of delayed first oestrus (IRR 2.7, p < 0.01) than did older sows. This study indicates that despite an artificial light regime, sows may still react to changes in season. In conclusion, use of simple light regime to obtain complete control over reproductive performance appears to be difficult.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 24-05-2018
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 11-2019
DOI: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002078
Abstract: We investigated the long-term psychologic symptoms of patients who survived pediatric intensive care admission. Longitudinal follow-up study. Nationwide cohort study based on a national ICU register and a questionnaire survey. All pediatric patients (0–16 yr old) who were admitted to an ICU in Finland in 2009–2010. None. Six years after ICU admission, all surviving patients were sent the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and questionnaires regarding chronic diseases and need for medication and therapy. At the end of the follow-up period, there were 3,674 surviving children who had been admitted to an ICU in 2009–2010. Of these children, 1,105 completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire 6 years after admission. Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores were abnormal for 84 children (7.6%), borderline for 80 (7.2%), and normal for 941 (85.2%). Participants with abnormal scores were younger at admission to the ICU (3.06 vs 4.70 yr p = 0.02), and more commonly had a chronic disease (79.5% vs 47.4% p 0.001), a need for continuous medication (49.4% vs 31.7% p 0.001), a need for therapy (58.5% vs 15.9% p 0.001), and a need for annual healthcare visits (91.4% vs 85.2% p = 0.05). Abnormal Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores were associated with higher rates of neurologic (32.1% vs 10.2%), gastrointestinal (7.1% vs 3.9%), psychiatric (3.6% vs 0.5%), and chromosomal disorders (9.5% vs 1.3%), as well as with long-term pain (1.2% vs 0.6%). Participants with abnormal Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores (poor psychologic outcome) at 6 years after childhood ICU admission more commonly suffered neurologic, chromosomal, or psychiatric diagnoses or long-term pain, and generally required higher levels of healthcare services, therapies, and medication.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2010.09.017
Abstract: The efficacy of ketoprofen in the treatment of non-infectious lameness in sows was examined in a double-blinded study. Two dose rates of oral ketoprofen were compared to placebo treatment over five consecutive days. Lameness was assessed with a five-grade scoring system prior to and on the last day of the treatment. The rate of treatment success was 54.3% for the ketoprofen 4mg/kg group (n=46), 53.2% for the ketoprofen 2mg/kg group (n=47) and 20.8% for the pigs in the placebo group (n=48). The difference between both ketoprofen groups and the placebo group was significant (P=0.001), but there was no difference between the two ketoprofen groups (P=0.78). Oral ketoprofen was well tolerated and no adverse events were observed. As lameness is a very common problem in sows, oral ketoprofen appeared to be a practical way to alleviate pain and improve the welfare of sows.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-07-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2007.01040.X
Abstract: Prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (PGF(2 alpha)) and GnRH treatments given 24 h apart have been shown to result in short oestrous cycles (8-12 days) in some cows and heifers. The differences in responses may depend on the dose of GnRH. Therefore, the effect of the dose of GnRH on occurrence of short cycles and LH response was studied here. Oestrus was induced with dexcloprostenol (0.15 mg) in two groups of Ayrshire heifers. A second luteolysis was induced similarly on day 7 after ovulation 24 h after PGF(2 alpha) treatment, the heifers were administered either a high (0.5 mg, n = 15, group T500) or low (0.1 mg, n = 10, group T100) dose of gonadorelin. Blood s les for progesterone analyses were collected daily from the second PGF(2 alpha) administration to the second ovulation after the PGF(2 alpha) injection. Beginning 24 h after the GnRH treatment, ovaries were examined by transrectal ultrasonography every 6 h until ovulation, and daily between day 4 and the next ovulation. Five heifers from both groups were s led for LH analyses via a jugular catheter every 30 min from 1 h before to 6 h after the GnRH administration. Short oestrous cycles were detected in 7 of 10 cases in group T100 and in 12 of 15 cases in group T500. No significant differences in LH responses were detected between the groups. In group T500, the rise in LH concentration tended to be somewhat slower than in group T100. The dose of GnRH (0.1 vs 0.5 mg) did not affect the occurrence of short oestrous cycles and LH response.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2005
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2005.01.012
Abstract: The effect of three feeding regimens on progesterone level was tested during early pregnancy in multiparous sows. A total of eighteen sows in their eighth parity (8.1 +/- 2.8, mean +/- S.D.) were used. During lactation the sows were fed to appetite and after weaning they received 4 kg (52 MJ) a commercial feed per day. Following ovulation, sows were allocated to one of three treatment groups and fed 2 kg/day (low feeding, LLL) or 4 kg/day (high feeding, HHH) throughout the trial or 2 kg/day for 11 days, 4 kg/day for 10 days, and 2 kg/day for the remaining days of the study (modified feeding, LHL). Blood for progesterone and cortisol analyses was collected daily throughout the study, and for luteinizing hormone (LH) assay for 12 h at 15 min intervals on days 14 and 21 of pregnancy. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge test was performed on all sows day 28 of pregnancy. Dietary treatment did not significantly affect hormonal parameters. However, progesterone concentration tended to be lower (P = 0.08) in the HHH group than in the LLL group. In the LHL group venous progesterone concentration seemed to fluctuate. No effects of feeding were observed on progesterone concentration in allantoic fluid on day 35 of pregnancy. Venous cortisol level was significantly higher (P < 0.05) during proestrus and oestrus in all groups and there was no significant difference between groups in response to ACTH challenge. The mean litude of LH pulses decreased significantly (P < 0.01) from days 14 to 21 of pregnancy in all groups. In addition, an interaction was found between feeding level and baseline LH concentration and also between feeding level and mean LH concentration. Embryonic recovery was highest in the LLL (69%), lowest in the HHH (45%) and moderate in the LHL (55%) group. Neither high feeding nor modified feeding provided any benefits for reproductive performance in multiparous sows. A low feeding regimen thus appears optimal for multiparous sows in early pregnancy at least with the management regime described.
Publisher: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Date: 08-2014
DOI: 10.1145/2632267
Abstract: While most existing video summarization approaches aim to identify important frames of a video from either a global or local perspective, we propose a top-down approach consisting of scene identification and scene summarization. For scene identification, we represent each frame with global features and utilize a scalable clustering method. We then formulate scene summarization as choosing those frames that best cover a set of local descriptors with minimal redundancy. In addition, we develop a visual word-based approach to make our approach more computationally scalable. Experimental results on two benchmark datasets demonstrate that our proposed approach clearly outperforms the state-of-the-art.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2016
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 15-06-2023
DOI: 10.1128/SPECTRUM.03744-22
Abstract: The relationship between pigs' intestinal microbiota and growth performance is of great importance for improving piglets’ health and reducing antimicrobial use. We found that gut microbiota variation is significantly associated with growth during weaning and the early nursery period.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-09-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-03-2013
Publisher: American Dairy Science Association
Date: 07-2018
Abstract: On-farm death (OFD) of a dairy cow is always a financial loss for a farmer, and potentially a welfare issue that has to be addressed within the dairy industry. The aim of this study was to explore the associations between OFD of dairy cows, housing, and herd management in freestall barns. To achieve the goal, we followed 10,837 cows calving in 2011 in 82 herds. Data were gathered with observations and a structured interview during farm visits and from a national dairy herd improvement database. The hazard of OFD was modeled with a shared frailty survival model, with SAS 9.3 PHREG procedure (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). The study population was 58% Ayrshire and 42% Holstein cows. The median herd size and mean milk yield in the study herds were 116 cows and 9,151 kg of milk per cow per year. The overall probability of OFD was 6.0% 1.8% of the cows died unassisted and 4.2% were euthanized. Variation in OFD percentage between in idual herds was large, from 0 to 16%, accounting for 0 to 58% of all removals in the herds. Keeping close-up dry cows in their own group was associated with higher hazard of OFD [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.37] compared with keeping them in the same pen with far-off dry cows. Higher hazard on OFD was observed when barns had only one kind of calving pen single (HR = 2.09) or group pens (HR = 1.72), compared with having both of those types. The hazard of OFD was lower if the whole herd was housed in barns or pens that had only 1 type of feed barrier at the feed bunk, namely post-and-rail (HR = 0.51) or a type with barriers between the cow's heads (HR = 0.49), compared with having 2 types. Lower OFD hazard was observed with wider than 340 cm of walking alley next to the feeding table (HR = 0.75), and with housing a whole herd in pens with only 1 type of walking alley surface, specifically slatted (HR = 0.53) or solid (HR = 0.48), compared with having both types. The hazard of OFD was higher with stalls wider than 120 cm (HR = 1.38) compared with narrower stalls. The hazard of OFD was also associated with breed, parity, and calving season. This study identified many factors that contribute to the incidence of OFD of dairy cows. The solutions for reducing on-farm mortality include housing, management, and breeding choices that are most probably herd specific.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-11-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2006.00713.X
Abstract: The effect of vulvar discharge syndrome (VDS) on sow and gilt fertility was studied on 26 farms. Of 824 animals inspected in 21 randomly selected and five VDS problem farms, 19 (2.3%) were afflicted with VDS. Altogether 542/799 of the examined animals (67.8%) farrowed thereafter. Nine of the 19 VDS animals (47.4%) and 533/780 non-VDS animals (68.3%) farrowed at the first chance after the examination (p = 0.05). None of the unmated gilts in this study had VDS. Environmental and in idual factors likely to be associated with fertility and VDS were tested. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with farrowing were VDS, reproductive status, availability of roughage and confinement to in idual stalls. None of the variables tested was associated with VDS. However, all of the VDS problem farms were overcrowded and had concrete, partly slatted floors with little or no bedding. The median value of haptoglobin (Hp) was 2.5 (range 1.3-3.1) g/l in VDS animals and 2.3 (0.5-4.3) g/l in controls (p = 0.6). The median C-reactive protein (CRP) in VDS animals was 30.3 (3.3-171.3) mg/l and in controls 25.9 (3.3-361.1) mg/l (p = 0.7). In conclusion, VDS decreased fertility of gilts and sows in the absence of a systemic acute-phase response, as indicated by stable concentrations of Hp and CRP.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-01-2019
DOI: 10.1111/RDA.13376
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of progesterone (P) and luteinizing hormone (LH) during recognition and establishment of pregnancy in the gilt. Therefore, the effects of eliminating episodic LH pulses on P patterns were determined during early pregnancy. To this end, a slow-release GnRH implant deslorelin was used for GnRH down-regulation. A group of gilts (GnRHa, n = 8) was implanted with the GnRH-agonist on Day 11 of pregnancy, while a control group (C, n = 5) was treated with a non-impregnated placebo implant. Blood was collected via a vena cava caudalis catheter at 10-min intervals for 8 hr on Day 16 and 21 of pregnancy. As expected, the GnRH implant reduced LH secretion (p < 0.01) and abolished LH pulses completely at Day 16 and Day 21 of pregnancy. On Day 16, there was no difference in P levels between the treatments. However, on Day 21, the GnRH-agonist treatment led to significantly increased P concentrations (p < 0.01) compared with the control gilts. Progesterone was secreted in a pulsatile manner in both treatment groups and no relationship between LH pulsatility and P pulsatility was observed. In conclusion, abolishment of LH pulsatility did not affect the pulsatile pattern of P secretion but led to an unexpected overall increase in P on Day 21 of pregnancy this effect was delayed and occurred 10 days after commencing treatment with the GnRH depot agonist. The elevation of P on Day 21 of pregnancy in the GnRHa group suggests either a reduced negative feedback effect or an increased autocrine response by the corpora lutea.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 23-08-2017
Publisher: CABI
Date: 2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2000
Abstract: In endocrinological studies, the usual methods for taking blood s les are impractical because of the need for frequent s ling, and catheterization is required. The catheterization methods described for domestic pigs are not suitable for use with European wild boars (Sus scrofa) under field conditions. We describe a method for inserting an intra-arterial catheter into the European wild boar. The animals were sedated with a combination of medetomidin (Domitor 1 mg/ml, Orion-Farmos, Finland) and zolazepam and tiletamine (Zoletil forte vet 50 mg/ml + 50 mg/ml, Virbac Laboratories, France). Four animals were catheterized and s led at 2-h intervals for 48 h in March under winter conditions and five in June under summer conditions. In March, all the catheters remained in place for the entire s ling period. In June, one animal managed to displace the catheter from its artery, but it was recatheterized and the rest of the s les were collected without problems. This catheterization method is relatively easy to carry out and requires no special facilities.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2013
Publisher: SPIE
Date: 08-10-2009
DOI: 10.1117/12.852750
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2019
Publisher: IntechOpen
Date: 20-01-2021
Abstract: Over the past three decades, efficient breeding and management have almost doubled the litter size of sows. Simultaneously, duration of farrowing has increased markedly. The expulsion phase of parturition in the hyper prolific sow is now 3 to 5 times longer than it was in the early 1990s. There has also been a constant downward trend in piglet birth weight, along with a similar trend in colostrum intake, which is an important risk factor for piglet mortality. Together with these trends, an increase in farrowing complications, such as postpartum dysgalactia and retention of placenta, has been reported. This paper investigates group housing of sows during gestation, farrowing and lactation, focusing on management strategies of the sow. In short, the sow needs to be given space and enrichment materials for adequate expression of nest-building behavior. Maternal characteristics may be utilized to improve the success rate of reproductive management during farrowing and early lactation. The lower piglet birth weight and compromised immunity of newborn piglets warrant investigation in the search for novel management tools. Robust breeds with somewhat lower litter size, but improved resilience and increased birth weight may be needed in the near future.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.PREVETMED.2018.08.010
Abstract: This observational retrospective cohort study provides benchmarking information on recent sow productivity development in Finnish herds. It focuses on parity cycle specific trends in sow removal patterns, and especially on the role of litter performance (size and piglet survival) in sow removal. In addition, the generated models offer a tool for calculating sow removal risks in any period, which could be used in economic and other simulation models. The data used in the study pool information of sows starting the same parity cycle (1 through 8) over the enrollment period of July 1st, 2013 through June 30th, 2014 and followed until the end of the study period (December 31st, 2014), and their performance histories across their entire previous productive life. Out of 71,512 in idual sow parity cycle observations from the first to the eighth, 15,128 ended up in removal. Average litter sizes exceeded 13 piglets born in total in all of the most recent farrowings. Yet, even larger litter sizes were favored by the implemented culling policies, as sows having medium and large early life litters had lower risks of removal compared to those with the smallest litters, particularly in younger animals. With regard to piglets born just prior to removal, the smallest litter sizes were associated with the greatest culling risk for sows of that particular parity. In addition, having more than one stillborn piglet in the first and second litter put the sow at higher risk of being removed in all but the last (sixth through eighth) of the studied parity cycles. Investigation of removal patterns revealed a negative linear relationship between parity count and the mean days from farrowing to removal. More specifically, the median (mean) times to removal varied across the parity cycles from 62 (72) in the first to 34 days in both the seventh and eighth (47 and 42, respectively). Moreover, one in every six sows was removed within the first and second parity cycle. The findings especially in the earliest cycles may be a reflection of removal decisions not made according to any clear and pre-determined policy, or of biological issues that prevent farmers from firmly adhering to their policy. Quantitative performance should be linked to overall system functionality and profitability while taking animal welfare into consideration in identifying opportunities to improve herd parity structure and future farm success.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2002
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(02)00167-7
Abstract: All gilts and sows in production from which the detailed production information was available in a 160-sow unit were included to the study. In winter-spring, there were complete data available from 47 animals and in summer-autumn from 64 animals. The farm had a consistent history of the seasonally reduced farrowing rate in summer-autumn. Success of inseminations was monitored during a 4-month breeding period in winter-spring and in summer-autumn. Each animal was bled twice a week for 6 weeks starting a day before insemination and the blood s les were assayed to determine serum progesterone concentration. The blood s les were also assayed for cortisol to detect any acute infectious response. Starting on day 18, animals were pregnancy tested by transcutaneous real time ultrasound twice a week. In winter-spring, the farrowing rate was 72% (58 inseminations, 1.2 inseminations/sow) and in summer-autumn 63% (81 inseminations, 1.3 inseminations/sow). In winter-spring, there was only one detected case of early disruption of pregnancy (EDP), whereas nine such cases were recognised in summer-autumn. Five out of those nine animals returned to oestrus with a mean insemination to oestrus interval of 25.8+/-1.6 days. One sow returned to oestrus 35 days after insemination and three sows did not return to oestrus within 45 days. However, two of these sows had progesterone profiles that indicated an undetected oestrus around day 25. In those nine animals, no acute phase infectious response as indicated by a rise in serum cortisol was evident. Serum progesterone concentrations in the animals eventually loosing the pregnancy tended to be lower on day 13 (no significant difference) and were significantly lower on day 20 when compared with animals remaining pregnant. There was no difference in serum progesterone levels of pregnant animals between winter-spring and summer-autumn. Litter size was not affected by the season. The weaning to oestrus interval tended to be longer in summer-autumn. This study showed that the seasonally decreased farrowing rate is partly caused by EDP. The lowered progesterone concentrations in summer-autumn were demonstrable only in "problem animals".
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2004
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2014
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
Publisher: American Dairy Science Association
Date: 08-2012
Abstract: Information on diseases of dairy cows in Finland is entered into the national disease register. Before the data from such types of secondary database are used, the quality of the data needs to be validated. In this study, 7,324 veterinary records for culled cows were compared against records in the national disease register in the period 2002 to 2008. Evaluation of the national disease register data was done by calculating completeness and correctness values. Completeness is the proportion of events that were physically recorded in the secondary database, and correctness is the proportion of correctly recorded events of all recorded events. The use of both correctness and completeness is important when describing the accuracy of secondary data. The completeness and correctness values for the Finnish national dairy disease register were 83 and 92%, respectively. We found that 39% of all unmatched diagnostic events were unreported by the artificial insemination technician who transferred the data from cow cards to the register. Logistic regression models showed that diagnostic events for cows born into the herd had twice the odds of being transferred compared with events for purchased cows. Diagnostic events for reproductive diseases had higher odds of being transferred to the register compared with all other disease groups, and the odds for transfer of the diagnostic event decreased as the age increased. We also found that if the diagnostic event was the last diagnostic event on the cow card, then its odds of being transferred to the disease register were significantly lowered. Although the Finnish national dairy disease register has good completeness and excellent correctness values, different disease groups, age groups, origin of the cow, and timing of the diagnostic event affect how well diagnostic events are transferred to the Finnish national dairy register.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-09-2008
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2007.00956.X
Abstract: From 1.1.2013 EU legislation will permit stall-housing of dry sows for only 4 weeks post-service. Stalls are associated with compromised animal welfare, but group housing comes with risks from social confrontations. Studies on housing effects on fertility have produced contradictory results as systems are inconsistently defined. Effects of housing on pregnancy rate 28 days post-service (P28), early disruption of pregnancy (EDP) and behaviour were investigated in 12 replicates of 40 sows. Half of the animals were stalled (treatment S, mean parity 2.4) and half group-housed adjacent on 5.1 m(2) deep litter per sow (treatment G, mean parity 2.3). Pregnancy was detected using real-time ultrasound. An EDP-diagnosis required a drop of salivary progesterone concentration from >15.9 to <15.9 mmol/l in a series of s les taken on days 17, 20, 24 and 27 post-service. Behaviour was scan s led on day 27 for 120 min with 10-min intervals. Data was analysed using mixed regression models in MLwiN. Treatment S increased the odds for P28 with 2.3 and the pregnancy rate of a treatment group with 0.1 compared with G. G increased the odds for EDP with 4.6. Treatment did not affect total exploratory or total passive behaviour. S sows explored floor and fixtures (not bedding) more and performed more passive sitting than G sows. Social stress may have caused the impaired reproductive performance in G sows. S sows showed behavioural signs of decreased welfare, but no corresponding reproductive effects. An interdisciplinary approach is needed when evaluating the appropriateness of housing systems.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-11-2006
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2006.00700.X
Abstract: To study the relationship between on-farm welfare and reproductive performance in the sow, the TGI 35L Animal Needs Index was modified for use in Finnish pig production. The modified index had a maximal total score of 100. It was comprised of six categories: 'locomotion' (maximal score 21 for dry sows and 11 for lactating sows), 'social interaction' (12/8), 'floor quality' (16/9), 'stable climate' (16/21), 'feeding' (16/23) and 'health and stockmanship' (19/29). Index scorings were performed separately in farrowing, breeding and gestation units on 28 representative Finnish sow farms. One-year production parameters were collected. Multiple linear regression was used for statistical analysis. Total ANI-points varied between 36.5-68.0 for lactating and 39.5-86.0 for dry sows. Litter size increased with increasing scores for 'feeding' in the dry sow unit. Controlling for breed, high scores for 'health and stockmanship' and 'floor quality' shortened the reproductive cycle, probably because of good leg health. The number of weaned piglets per sow per year (PSY) increased with increasing scores for dry sow 'health and stockmanship', 'floor quality' and an interaction of 'feeding' in the farrowing and mating units. PSY increased with decreasing scores for farrowing pen 'climate'. High-quality floors and stockmanship appear to correlate positively with reproductive performance in the sow. Effects of a welfare-promoting feeding strategy on reproduction are contradictory.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 1970
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-1995
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2010
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-1997
DOI: 10.1016/S0378-4320(97)00062-6
Abstract: A trial was designed to determine the effect of season and feed restriction on LH and prolactin secretion, adrenal response, insulin and FFA in the early pregnant gilt. Groups of cross bred gilts (n = 24) were mated and allocated to two feeding levels a non-restricted group received close to ad libitum feeding of 3.6 kg whereas, the restricted group received 1.8 kg as recommended by the NRC. The trial was carried out in winter-spring and repeated in summer-autumn to investigate the effects of season. The feeding regimen were fed to the group housed animals for the first two weeks of pregnancy. A 12 h period of blood s ling every 15 min thereafter revealed higher litude LH pulses with larger area under the curve in winter compared with summer (1.17 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.69 +/- 0.03 ng ml(-1) and 65.09 +/- 1.46 vs. 33.60 +/- 1.25, P < 0.05). Overall, feed restriction reduced LH pulse frequency (2.5 +/- 0.1 and 1.6 +/- 0.1 pulses/12 h for high and low feeding levels, P < 0.05), but the difference was large in winter and no difference was detected in summer. An ACTH challenge test carried out the day after the frequent s ling revealed greater response to the ACTH challenge in winter in comparison with summer. Plasma prolactin values were generally very low and ranged from 1 to 4.5 ng/ml with highest values detected in the feed restricted group in summer. Plasma FFA and insulin concentrations showed greater pre- versus post-prandial variation in the feed restricted groups. It was concluded, that feed restriction and season affected LH secretion and those effects appeared to be related to the metabolic changes in the early pregnant group housed gilt.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.THERIOGENOLOGY.2013.02.005
Abstract: In modern swine production failure of sows to become pregnant within the expected time after weaning results in major economic loss and culling of sows. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of duration of farrowing on subsequent repeat breeding rate. The study was performed in a commercial sow-pool piggery system in Finland comprising 148 sows (Yorkshire × Landrace). A multivariate analysis was undertaken on data for parity, weaning to estrus interval, boar, number of inseminations, season, sow back-fat thickness, gestation length, duration of farrowing, number of live-born piglets, number of stillborn piglets, lactation length, and number of piglets weaned. Furthermore, two farrowing systems (crate vs. pen) were investigated. A binary logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of these factors on the repeat breeding rate (pregnant vs. not pregnant at first insemination after weaning). The total duration of previous farrowing was longer in rebred sows (357 ± 207 minutes, average ± SD) than in pregnant sows (255 ± 126 minutes P < 0.01). The other parameters were not statistically significant to the outcome of first insemination after weaning. In conclusion, we established that sows with long duration of farrowing have higher repeat breeding rate at the first insemination after weaning and could be used as an indicator for subsequent fertility.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 23-12-2022
DOI: 10.1071/RD22177
Abstract: Context An accurate staging of sexual cycle is essential for the optimum timing of medical interventions. Aims Here, an updated insight into clinical, endocrinological and vagino-cytological parameters, and their correlation with histomorphology of ovarian and uterine tissue s les is presented. Methods S les from 39 dogs were collected at various stages of the oestrous cycle: pro-oestrus (n = 8), oestrus (n = 12), dioestrus (n = 9) (luteal phase) and anoestrus (n = 10), according to clinical observations. Final allocation of s les was done after histomorphological evaluation of all tissues. Peripheral oestradiol-17ß (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations were measured, P4 by both chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) and radioimmunoassay (RIA). Key results Differences were observed between determination of the stage of the oestrous cycle, either by clinical, endocrinological or histomorphological evaluation. In iduals considered to be in clinical and endocrinological oestrus, had entered the luteal phase according to histomorphology. P4 concentrations measured by two different assays differed, underlying the importance to understand that absolute P4 concentrations may deviate depending on the used assay. Comparison of E2 and P4 concentrations is suggested to be useful when defining the transition from early follicular phase to the time of ovulation. Conclusions and implications Based on parallel histomorphological observations, combined with clinical and endocrinological findings on the same in iduals, the present study emphasises that an accurate classification of the stage of the cycle in female dogs based solely on clinical and endocrinological assessments can be difficult. The histomorphological findings presented herein provide new insights into the transitional phases between the different stages of the oestrous cycle in the dog.
Publisher: Wageningen Academic Publishers
Date: 2015
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 14-01-2005
DOI: 10.1111/J.1439-0531.2004.00555.X
Abstract: Porcine parvovirus (PPV) is widespread among swine. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of loosely housed sow herds in Finland with at least one animal with high (infection level) PPV antibodies and to gather basic knowledge about vaccination practices. In addition, selected factors associated with high antibody levels found in sows were examined. Altogether, 247 animals were s led in 21 randomly chosen loosely housed sow herds. S les were analysed with the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. PPV proved to be common in 17 farms (81%) at least one animal had a high titre (>1 : 512), and 44% of all animals s led had a high titre. The vaccination programmes had many shortcomings. In the generalised estimation equations (GEE) population-averaged model developed, the factors found to have a significant (p < or = 0.05) effect on HI titres were herd size, parity of two or greater and storage of the vaccine vial after use. Non-returning rate, re-breeding interval and litter size did not differ between herds with no high HI titres (n = 4) and those with at least one high HI titre (n = 17).
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2022
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97762-7_4
Abstract: Parental behaviour in sows begins with prepartum nest-building behaviour, which mainly consists of rooting, pawing, and foraging, to achieve a structure for farrowing and to nurse and protect the offspring. A hormonal background is linked to the onset and cessation of nest-building behaviour. The ambient farrowing environment that can adequately address the needs for nest-building behaviour thus plays an important role in good parental behaviour of the sows during and after farrowing. In addition to these environmental factors, here we also discuss other well-known intrinsic factors, such as heredity, parental experience, and litter size, affecting parental behaviour of the sows for successful farrowing and lactating performance.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-05-2023
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-023-34563-4
Abstract: Ovarian cysts contribute to reduced reproductive performance in pigs. Unfortunately, the mechanism of lutein cysts formation remains unknown. Here, we compared the endocrine and molecular milieus of intact, healthy preovulatory follicles (PF), gonadotropin (eCG/hCG)-induced healthy and atretic-like PF, as well as gonadotropin-provoked and spontaneous ovarian cysts in gilts. Several endocrine and molecular indicators and microRNA were compared in walls of PF and cysts. Intact and healthy PF, showed high estradiol/androstendione and low progesterone levels associated with CYP17A1, HSD17B1, and CYP19A1 elevation and reduced StAR/HSD3B1 protein expression. In contrast, low estradiol/androstendione and high progesterone concentrations, accompanied by decreased CYP17A1, HSD17B1, CYP19A1 and increased HSD3B1 protein abundance, appeared in atretic-like PF, gonadotropin-induced and spontaneous cysts. High progesterone receptor (PGR) protein abundance was maintained in intact and healthy PF, while it dropped in atretic-like PF, gonadotropins-induced and spontaneous cysts. The atretic PF showed high level of TNFα compared to healthy PF. In conclusion, follicular lutein cysts could be recruited from atretic-like PF with lost estrogenic milieu and inability to ovulate. Ovulatory cascade was presumably disrupted by a low PGR and high TNFα levels associated with earlier luteinization of follicular walls. These results suggest a novel mechanism of lutein ovarian cysts development in pigs and, perhaps, other species.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2008
DOI: 10.1016/J.ANIREPROSCI.2006.11.019
Abstract: During seasonal anoestrus (long-days), oestradiol can effectively inhibit the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) in sheep. The aim of our trial was to determine whether the same regulatory mechanism exists in the pig. Altogether, 20 ovariectomized and oestradiol-implanted gilts (16 domestic pigs, 4 European wild boars) were randomly allocated to two treatment groups. The first group was kept under a short-day light-dark cycle of 8L:16D, and the second group under a long-day light regime of 16L:8D. After a 6-week treatment period, blood s les were taken at 20-min intervals for 12h. After s ling, the light regimens were switched. S ling was then repeated following another 6 weeks of treatment. In both treatment groups, 2.3 LH pulses occurred every 12h. The basal LH level was 0.7+/-0.4 ng/ml for the short-day group and 1.0+/-0.5 ng/ml for the long-day group. The mean LH level was 0.9+/-0.4 and 1.3+/-0.6 ng/ml and the LH pulse litude 0.5+/-0.4 and 0.6+/-0.5 ng/ml, respectively. The basal and mean LH levels were therefore lower in short-day gilts (P<0.05), while LH pulse litude and frequency remained unaffected by treatment. In conclusion, the 6-week period under two different light regimes resulted in higher basal LH concentration in long-day gilts but was not able to produce changes in LH frequency in prepubertal gilts.
Publisher: Elsevier
Date: 2019
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 06-2009
Publisher: American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Date: 2008
Abstract: Objective —To assess bioequivalence after oral, IM, and IV administration of racemic ketoprofen in pigs and to investigate the bioavailability after oral and IM administration. Animals —8 crossbred pigs. Procedures —Each pig received 4 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with a 6-day washout period. Ketoprofen was administered at 3 and 6 mg/kg, PO 3 mg/kg, IM and 3 mg/kg, IV. Plasma ketoprofen concentrations were measured by use of high-performance liquid chromatography for up to 48 hours. To assess bioequivalence, a 90% confidence interval was calculated for the area under the time-concentration curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (C max ). Results —Equivalence was not detected in the AUCs among the various routes of administration nor in C max between oral and IM administration of 3 mg/kg. The bioavailability of ketoprofen was almost complete after each oral or IM administration. Mean ± SD C max was 5.09 ± 1.41 μg/mL and 7.62 ± 1.22 μg/mL after oral and IM doses of 3 mg/kg, respectively. Mean elimination half-life varied from 3.52 ± 0.90 hours after oral administration of 3 mg/kg to 2.66 ± 0.50 hours after IV administration. Time to peak C max after administration of all treatments was approximately 1 hour. Increases in AUC and C max were proportional when the orally administered dose was increased from 3 to 6 mg/kg. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance —Orally administered ketoprofen was absorbed well in pigs, although bioequivalence with IM administration of ketoprofen was not detected. Orally administered ketoprofen may have potential for use in treating pigs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.RVSC.2017.03.004
Abstract: In reproductive physiology research, experimental animals are often subjected to stressful procedures, including blood s ling and biopsy. In this present study, presence of pain or distress induced by four different procedures was examined using a measurement of salivary cortisol levels and activity observations in sows. The treatments were: 1) PAL: The ovary was palpated through the rectum without snaring, 2) TUB: transvaginal ultrasound-guided biopsy of the ovary was conducted without snaring, 3) SNA: a soft rope snare was placed around the maxilla, 4) CAT: A soft rope snare was placed around the maxilla, and an intravenous catheter was inserted through the ear vein of the sows. Activities, social cohesion and other pain-related behaviour, and salivary cortisol concentrations were recorded. Salivary cortisol concentrations in CAT sows increased in response to the procedure (P<0.05), whereas the other treatments did not trigger a significant response. The CAT sows had higher cortisol concentrations than the other groups for 10min after initiation of the procedures (P<0.01), and they maintained higher cortisol levels than the PAL and TUB groups 15min post-treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, the CAT sows showed the highest frequency of head shaking (P<0.001) and trembling behaviour (P<0.05) during the 1h post-treatment. Summarizing, the catheterization procedure might induce a short-term pain or stress response during and after the procedure in terms of pain-related behaviour and salivary cortisol status. We suggest that TUB might not cause appreciable pain or distress.
No related grants have been discovered for Olli Peloniemi.