Hormonal and metabolic indicators before and after farrowing in sows affected with postpartum dysgalactia syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundPostpartum dysgalactia syndrome (PDS) in sows is difficult to diagnose and the pathogenesis is obscure. Hormonal changes related to the disease are often difficult to distinguish from those found in the normal transition period from gestation to lactation. The study aimed to investigate metabolic and hormonal changes related to PDS with the goal of identifying potential biomarkers in sows suffering from PDS (PDS+). Selected biomarkers were examined by comparing 38 PDS+ sows with 38 PDS negative (PDS-) sows. The sows were sampled every 24 h from 60 h ante partum (a.p.) to 36 h post partum (p.p.).ResultsCompared to the baseline (60 to 36 h a.p.), cortisol in serum and saliva and fasting blood glucose concentrations increased in PDS+ as well as PDS- sows. C-peptide decreased relative to the baseline in PDS+ sows, and prolactin and 8-epi prostaglandin F2 alpha (8-epi-PGF2α) decreased in PDS- sows. Concentrations of cortisol in serum and saliva, salivary chromogranin A (CgA), fasting blood glucose, C-peptide, and 8-epi-PGF2α differed significantly between PDS+ and PDS- sows, with levels of cortisol in serum and saliva, salivary CgA, and 8-epi-PGF2α in serum being different in the two groups already before parturition. Concentrations of salivary CgA were significantly lower in PDS- sows than in PDS+ sows during the entire study period.ConclusionsThe results suggest that salivary CgA, cortisol and serum 8-epi-PGF2α may potentially serve as early diagnostic indicators for PDS. The consistently higher salivary CgA concentration in PDS+ sows compared to PDS- sows may indicate that homeostatic disturbances are present between 36 to 60 h before parturition in sows developing PDS. The higher serum and saliva cortisol concentration in PDS+ sows compared to PDS- sows could reflect an early sign of inflammation or stress. The significantly lower C-peptide in PDS+ sows compared to PDS- sows may reflect a lower food intake. Our results contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of PDS, and the homeostatic disturbances detected before parturition warrants further investigation. The diagnostic potential of the markers identified in this study should be investigated further in a larger population of sows.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1649-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Mifepristone Treatment in Pregnant Murine Model Induced Mammary Gland Dysplasia and Postpartum Hypogalactia

“…In our study, CORT and GH levels did not change during early pregnancy, but rose on Pd16 and Ld3 after mifepristone treatment; effects of these enhanced concentrations of GH and CORT on late pregnancy or lactation may be due to selfregulation in mice, or caused by the suckling stimulation by pups in mifepristone-treated mice. These results were also consistent with clinical reports in which the concentrations of cortisol increased in sows with PDS, compared to those in PDS negative sows (Kaiser et al, 2018), and that increase in GH and CORT levels increased the milk yields of cows or rats after prolonged lactation, and suckling was reported to increase plasma GH levels in rats (Machlin, 1973;Miki et al, 1981;Flint et al, 1984). Synthetic glucocorticoids (prednisolone or dexamethasone) treatment raised plasma glucose and caused a decrease in milk production in lactating cows (Maplesden et al, 1960;Hartmann and Kronfeld, 1973;Kronfeld and Hartmann, 1973).…”

Effect of Spray-Dried Porcine Plasma in Peripartum Sow Feed on Subsequent Litter Size

“…Postpartum dysgalactic syndrome sows have more pronounced and signi cant changes in some hormone, metabolic and in ammatory serum markers than normal sows before and after parturition [14,15]. The lack of detectable diet differences in our study for cytokine pro les may have been due to insu cient sample size or variable stress status of the sampled sows near parturition.…”

“…Parturition is often prolonged with larger litter size which drains sow energy during labor and can lead to increased stillbirths, constipation, mastitis, metritis, and agalactia that negatively affects postpartum uterine recovery, and subsequent lactation, progeny survival and growth [12][13][14][15][16]. A peripartum or transition feed should be considered to provide nutrients and ingredients that address needs for the proli c sow in late gestation to help mitigate early postpartum stress and prepare the sow for ad libitum consumption of lactation feed to support milk production, progeny growth and survival and subsequent sow reproductive performance.…”

Tools and Protocols for Managing Hyperprolific Sows at Parturition: Optimizing Piglet Survival and Sows’ Reproductive Health

“…Tools and Protocols for Managing Hyperprolific Sows at Parturition: Optimizing Piglet Survival… DOI: http://dx.doi.org /10.5772/intechopen.91337 An increasing incidence for PDS of up to 34% was recently reported [23], which is connected with the increase in litter size and farrowing duration [3]. In one study, the percentage of sows with fever during the first 24 h postpartum increased from 40 to 100%, when the farrowing duration increased from less than 2 to more than 4 h [24].…”

“…Besides hygiene, alterations in the immune and endocrine functions play a central role in the development of PDS [21]. Considering that parturition itself decreases immunity and causes significant inflammatory changes [23], all other factors affecting immunity and endocrinology need to be kept at a minimum level. The most important factor is stress, as described above.…”