Diet and microbiota-gut-brain axis in relation to tail biting in pigs: A review

Kobek‐Kjeldager, Cecilie; Schönherz, Anna Amanda; Canibe, Nuria; Pedersen, Lene Juul

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105514

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 225 publications

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“…Moreover, despite having access to manipulable objects (Astro 200 toy, chain/wood), sows in CONTROL pens still had higher tear-stain scores than sows in IMPROVED pens. Hence, it is possible that of all the enrichment items provided to sows in IMPROVED pens, straw had the most powerful impact on improving welfare and reducing stress levels, likely by improving gut fill and thereby satiety, and by enriching the overall diet, recently identified as an important factor for the welfare of pigs (Kobek-Kjeldager et al 2022 ). Nonetheless, as this was a systems study, this effect cannot be ascribed to straw alone, as it is possible that other improvements in the pen also had partial beneficial effects that contributed to the lower scores for tear staining.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part I: Effects on behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining

et al. 2023

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Commercial gestation housing systems for sows generally fail to cater fully for their needs in terms of comfort or the ability to perform highly motivated behaviours, which can lead to chronic stress and an impairment to welfare. We compared a typical gestation system (CONTROL) with an IMPROVED one as regards oral stereotypies, aggressive behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining. Sows were mixed into 12 stable groups (six groups per treatment, 20 sows per group), 29 days post-service in pens with free-access, full-length individual feeding/lying stalls. CONTROL pens had fully slatted concrete floors, with two blocks of wood and two chains suspended in the group area. IMPROVED pens were the same but with rubber mats and a length of manila rope in each feeding stall, and straw provided in three racks in the group area. Direct observations of oral stereotypical (30 instantaneous scans per sow per day) and aggressive (all-occurrence sampling, 3 h per sow per day) behaviours were conducted 72 h post-mixing, in mid and late gestation. Skin lesions were counted 24 h and three weeks post-mixing, and in late gestation. Sows’ locomotion (locomotory ability) was scored using a visual analogue scale in mid and late gestation. Right and left eye tear staining was scored in late gestation. Indications of better welfare in IMPROVED sows included performance of fewer oral stereotypies in mid and late gestation, and lower tear stain scores. These sows performed more aggression in late gestation, which was associated with access to enrichment, but skin lesion counts were not affected. Thus, the changes made in the IMPROVED treatment benefitted aspects of sow welfare.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part I: Effects on behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining

et al. 2023

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“…It is possible that the consumption of straw also had a positive impact on the digestive/gut health of sows in the improved pens, protecting against inflammation, and contributing to lower haptoglobin levels. Indeed, Kobek-Kjeldager et al ( 2022 ) hypothesised that certain dietary fibres stimulate beneficial gut microbiota that protect against inflammation and improve stress resilience. Although we cannot discern the extent of the contribution made by the different enrichment substrates or the rubber mats to sow welfare, it is likely that straw played a major role.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part II: Effects on physiological measures, reproductive performance and health of the offspring

Lagoda¹,

O’Driscoll²,

Galli³

et al. 2023

Anim. welf.

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Prenatal stress is the mechanism through which poor welfare of pregnant sows has detrimental effects on the health and resilience of their piglets. We compared two gestation housing systems (IMPROVED versus [conventional] CONTROL) in terms of sow stress and welfare indicators and sought to determine whether potential benefits to the sows would translate into improved offspring health. Sows were mixed into 12 stable groups (six groups per treatment, 20 sows per group) 29 days post-service in pens with free-access, full-length individual feeding/lying-stalls. CONTROL pens had fully slatted concrete floors, with two blocks of wood and two chains suspended in the group area. IMPROVED pens were the same but with rubber mats and manila rope in each stall, and straw provided in three racks in the group area. Saliva was collected from each sow on day 80 of pregnancy and analysed for haptoglobin. Hair cortisol was measured in late gestation. Sows’ right and left eyes were scored for tear staining in mid lactation and at weaning. Numbers of piglets born alive, dead, mummified, and total born were recorded. Piglets were weighed and scored for vitality and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) at birth. Presence of diarrhoea in farrowing pens was scored every second day throughout the suckling period. IMPROVED sows had lower haptoglobin levels and tear-stain scores during lactation. IMPROVED sows produced fewer mummified piglets, and these had significantly lower IUGR scores, and scored lower for diarrhoea than piglets of CONTROL sows. Hence, improving sow welfare during gestation improved the health and performance of their offspring.

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“…Furthermore, several studies revealed a complex, bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the brain, affecting mood and behaviour, that is, the so-called microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). Specifically, Kobek-Kjeldager et al [30] suggested that diet-related risk factors for tail biting are under-and oversupply of protein precursors (including tryptophan), low dietary fibre content, and lack of satisfaction. Therefore, this response may be via gut microbial metabolites resulting in cytokine-induced sickness behaviour (i.e., immune activation) or shifting of the tryptophan-serotonin metabolism (associated with anxiety and depression).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locally Grown Crops and Immunocastration in Fattening Heavy Pigs: Effects on Performance and Welfare

Argemí-Armengol

Villalba

Vall

et al. 2022

Animals

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This study aimed to explore dietary replacement soybean meal (SBM) with local pea seeds (PS-L) and the effects of surgically castrated (CM) or immunocastration (IM) in heavy male pigs, on growth performance, feeding behaviour, and tail and ear lesions. Four treatments were arranged factorially (2 × 2), with two sexes and two dietary treatments (96 pigs in eight pens). The inclusion of PS-L was 25%, 30%, and 40% during three phases (40–80 kg, 80–110 kg, and 110–140 kg, respectively). No difference in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and body-weight (BW) between PS-L and SBM could be demonstrated (p > 0.05), but PS-L diet decreased the average daily gain (ADG) at 110–140 kg of BW (p < 0.001) and increased feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < 0.05). The ADG was higher (p < 0.01) in IM than CM in all fattening periods, and the FCR in IM was lower (p < 0.05) than in barrows. IM pigs had lower dressing percentage than CM (p < 0.01). Pigs fed a PS-L diet ate faster but increased their passive behaviour compared with those fed SBM. In conclusion, the PS-L diet did not reduce BW and improved passive behaviour, and IM grew more efficiently, regardless of diet.

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Diet and microbiota-gut-brain axis in relation to tail biting in pigs: A review

Cited by 14 publications

References 225 publications

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part I: Effects on behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part I: Effects on behaviour, skin lesions, locomotion, and tear staining

Indicators of improved gestation housing of sows. Part II: Effects on physiological measures, reproductive performance and health of the offspring

Locally Grown Crops and Immunocastration in Fattening Heavy Pigs: Effects on Performance and Welfare

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