Factors associated with farrowing assistance in hyperprolific sows

Abstract

Objective: The present study was performed to determine risk factors associated with the frequency of farrowing assistance in hyperprolific sows in a tropical environment and to investigate the impacts of farrowing assistance on piglet colostrum consumption and sow colostrum yield.Methods: Farrowing data from 352 Landrace×Yorkshire crossbred sows and 5,554 piglets in five commercial swine herds in Thailand were investigated. The sows were classified according to parity numbers: 1 (n = 72), 2 to 4 (n = 128), 5 to 6 (n = 84), and ≥7 (n = 68) and the total number of piglets born per litter (TB): 10 to 13 (n = 90), 14 to 16 (n = 117), and ≥17 (n = 145). The incidence of farrowing assistance and associated parameters were investigated.Results: The TB and farrowing duration averaged 15.8±0.2 and 279.9±11.2 min, respectively. The percentage of sows that required farrowing assistance was 29.8% and varied among herds from 5.7% to 53.3% (p<0.001). The percentage of piglets born after birth assistance using manual intervention was 8.4%. Sows with parity numbers 1 and 2 to 4 had a lower frequency of farrowing assistance than sows with parity numbers ≥7 (p<0.01). The colostrum yield of sows that required farrowing assistance did not differ from sows that farrowed without assistance (5.3±0.2 and 5.1±0.1 kg; p = 0.288); however, the colostrum consumption of piglets born from sows that required farrowing assistance was lower than those born from sows that farrowed without assistance (302.2±15.7 and 354.2±5.6 g; p<0.001). Blood oxygen saturation of the piglets born after birth assistance tended to be lower than the piglets that farrowed without birth assistance (87.8%±1.3% vs 90.4%±0.4%; p = 0.054).Conclusion: The frequency of farrowing assistance in sows varied among herds and was influenced by parity number. The piglets born after receiving birth assistance should receive special care to improve their blood oxygen saturation and enhance colostrum intake.

Impacts of Fiber Supplementation in Sows during the Transition Period on Constipation, Farrowing Duration, Colostrum Production, and Pre-Weaning Piglet Mortality in the Free-Farrowing System

“…In this study, the expected benefit of dietary fiber in reducing stillbirth rates was not observed. It is important to note that the sows included in this study were relatively young, ranging from parity one to three, possibly leading to a lower probability of uterine inertia during the farrowing process compared to older sows [ 6 , 31 ]. Wongwaipisitkul et al [ 31 ] demonstrated that sows in their first and second to fourth parities required farrowing assistance less frequently compared to sows with a parity greater than or equal to seven.…”

“…It is important to note that the sows included in this study were relatively young, ranging from parity one to three, possibly leading to a lower probability of uterine inertia during the farrowing process compared to older sows [ 6 , 31 ]. Wongwaipisitkul et al [ 31 ] demonstrated that sows in their first and second to fourth parities required farrowing assistance less frequently compared to sows with a parity greater than or equal to seven. However, within the scope of this study, piglet pre-weaning mortality was generally lower in sows receiving dietary fiber supplementation compared to the control group, with percentages of 13.4% and 17.3%, respectively, indicating a reduction of 3.9%.…”

Exploring Hyperprolific Sows: A Study of Gross Morphology of Reproductive Organs and Oxytocin Receptor Distribution across Parities

“…However, in commercial swine herds, parity is a known factor that influences farrowing performance and productivity. Clinical studies have demonstrated that modern hyperprolific sows with greater parity numbers experience longer farrowing durations and require more farrowing assistance compared to those with lower parity numbers [2,3]. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that second-to fourth-parity sows have the greatest total number of piglets born per litter and the greatest number of piglets born alive per litter, considered optimal for fertility and prolificacy [4].…”

“…Moreover, very old sows (≥ 8 parities) also have a greater number of stillborn piglets compared to younger ones [4]. Therefore, based on previous studies, sows can be categorized based on their reproductive potential during their lifetime into young sows with moderate productivity (gilts and primiparous), middle-aged sows with optimum productivity (parities 2-5), and old sows with decreased productivity (parity ≥ 6), while farrowing performance typically declines as parity increases [2][3][4][5][6].…”