The aim of this study was to evaluate the health state, performance, and selected serum biochemical indices in nursing piglets after supplementation of a feed additive containing porcine plasma protein in comparison to the control group fed a standard pre-starter feed mixture. The study was carried out in the conditions of industrial farming. Four sows of the Large White swine breed with their litters were included in the study. Piglets were homogenously distributed into control (22) and experimental (24) groups according to weight and sex. Piglets in both groups suckled their mothers' milk. In addition, piglets in the experimental group were also fed a feed supplemented by porcine plasma protein (5%), starting on the third day post partum, whereas piglets in the control group were offered a standard pre-starter feed mixture. We recorded average daily weight gains calculated per the 27-day trial, and body weight at weaning. Clinical findings, mortality, and selected biochemical indices of protein (total immunoglobulins, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea), and energy (glucose, total cholesterol, total lipids) metabolism were assessed as well. Results of the study showed a significant difference (P < 0.01) in average daily weight gains in the experimental group compared to the control group (0.245 kg and 0.177 kg, respectively). Addition of plasma protein in the experimental group also resulted in a significantly higher serum concentration of total immunoglobulins, total protein and creatinine, and a significantly lower concentration of urea and albumin in this group compared to the control group at weaning.

The health of the gastrointestinal system of pigs is still a topical issue. When focusing on the youngest categories of pigs, we routinely evaluate it on the basis of appetite assessment and physical examination of faeces. A piglet’s gut health is also related to the development and changes of pH in the digestive system. Because there is little scientific work in this area, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physiological range of faecal pH in healthy suckling piglets from birth to weaning. Faecal pH measurements were performed in thirty-five suckling piglets at the time of the piglets’ birth, on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th day of their life. We found the mean pH values to be 6.38 ± 0.46 within 24 hours after birth; 7.14 ± 0.23 on the 7th day after birth; 7.23 ± 0.23 on the 14th day after birth; 7.42 ± 0.60 on the 21st day after birth; and 7.72 ± 0.61 on the 28th day after birth. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the pH of the faeces of new-born piglets and the samples taken in the following weeks of the experiment (P < 0.05; P < 0.01; P < 0.001). Measuring faecal pH can be a simple, quick and inexpensive method used to determine the health status of piglets’ intestines.

The focus of this experimental work was the long-term analysis of the mortality of pigs in the pre-fattening category, as well as the determination of the most important etiological and predisposing factors of death. We carried out this research on farm in the east of Slovakia, in the Spiš region, over a period of three years. Based on our 36-month monitoring of pig mortality, we found that pre-fattening mortality was on a downward trend with mortality rates of 2.79%, 2.72% and 2.71% in consecutive years. There is also a certain seasonal impact on mortality in pre-fattening, because we found a higher incidence of deaths especially in the cold spring, autumn and winter months. Diseases such as respiratory and diarrheal diseases were among the most important etiological and predisposing factors of mortality in the observed farm.

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This study focused on how haematology parameters differ with different types of anaesthesia that is given to piglets. In this study 18 piglets were used divided into three groups. In each of these experimental groups a different combination of anaesthetics was used. The first group received the combination of azaperone, diazepam, and ketamine. In the second group, we used the combination of azaperone, xylazine, and ketamine. In the third group, the anaesthesia was induced by azaperone, diazepam, butorphanol and ketamine. Blood samples were taken from the piglets three times throughout the procedure and the relevant haematological parameters were determined. With respect to haematological values, the combination used in group 1 appeared as the best for the anaesthesia of pig-lets. The haematological values, such as MCV (mean corpuscular volume), were similar in all groups with the exception of the third group where the MCV and the MCH (mean corpuscular haemoglobin) were significantly lower 24-hour post anaesthesia compared to the other two groups. Lymphocytes in the first two groups showed a steady decrease, while in the third group their levels increased. The opposite trend was observed for the segmented neutrophils that showed a steady increase over the 24-hour period in the 1st and 2nd group while in group 3 their levels decreased. Abolishment of pedal and nasal reflexes to external stimuli applied every 15 min post ketamine administration was observed. The piglets in the 1st group showed no reflexes to external stimuli, while the worst responses were observed in the 2nd group where many of the piglets started to show reflexes very early within the experimental time.

Clinoptilolite (Cp) is the most common and suitable natural zeolite type for many commercial and industrial applications. Recent studies have also shown a high potential of clinoptilolite in various medical applications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effect of long-term peroral administration of clinoptilolite on appetites, the consistency of faeces, and the histopathology of the intestines of growing pigs. Fourteen Landrace × Large White crossbred pigs of both genders, a few days after weaning (12.95 kg b. w.), were divided into two equal groups. The control group was fed with a basal feed mixture, and the experimental group with a feed mixture supplemented with 2 % of natural zeolite (the commercial preparation “ZeoFeed”). The appetite, clinical state and consistency of the faeces were assessed every day. The blood samples were collected on days 0, 21, and 42 of the experiment. Histological examinations of the intestines from the control and experimental animals were carried out at the end of the experiments. The supplementation of 2 % Cp did not affect neither the appetite nor the clinical state of the pigs. The faecal consistency score in the experimental animals was 18.82 % lower than that of the control piglets. The histopathological evaluations showed protective evidence of the Cp on the intestinal tract wall in the duodenum and jejunum.

The aim of this study was to evaluate ovarian activity and the size of oocytes in ovarian follicles in sexually mature Landrace-Yorkshire gilts in relation to the individual seasons of the year. The study was carried out on 240 gilts slaughtered at an abattoir during the four yearly seasons. The size and weight of the ovaries, the number of follicles and corpora lutea (CL) according to individual size categories were evaluated. The oocytes were aspirated from follicles and their sizes were measured. Our evaluation of the size of the ovaries showed that they were the largest in autumn, when their mean length reached 25.8 ± 3.4 mm, while in winter their mean length was 24.2 ± 2.9 mm. The smallest weight of the ovaries was determined in autumn (mean 5.7 ± 1.4 g) and the highest in spring (mean 6.2 ± 2.2 g). The largest number of follicles in the ovaries of the gilts was recorded during the autumn months, with a predominance of follicles up to 3 mm (mean number 17.9 ± 7.5). The largest number of corpora lutea was observed in spring (mean number 12.1 ± 2.6) and the smallest in winter (mean number 6.1 ± 1.1). The oocytes from follicles of up to 3 mm size, were the smallest in spring (mean size 16.99 × 103 ± 3.42 × 103 µm2) and the largest in winter (mean size 18.90 × 103 ± 2.99 × 103 µm2). In total, the largest oocytes were aspirated from 4—6 mm follicles in autumn (mean size 19.60 × 103 ± 5.37 × 103 ± µm2). The values recorded indicated that the seasons affected the ovarian activity and the growth of oocytes in gilts.