Intrinsic challenges of neonatal adaptation in swine

Abstract

Abstract. The losses of piglets in commercial pig farming remain at concerning levels and need to be addressed through the implementation of new sustainable breeding and management strategies. In fact, piglets are especially at risk in the first days of life. Both genetics and the farrowing process have been shown to impact piglet vitality. In addition, knowledge of the animal-intrinsic responses in adapting to extra-uterine life is particularly important but is scarcely described in the scientific literature. In this review, the three phases that constitute neonatal adaptation in the pig are systematically presented. The first phase of early adaptation involves primarily the development of cardiorespiratory function (within the first 10 min of life) as well as thermoregulatory processes and acid–base balance (up to 24 h of life). In the second phase, homeostasis is established, and organ maturation takes place (up to 14 d post natum). The final third phase aims at the development of neurological, immunological and muscular features (up to 28 d of life). The involvement of aggravating and ameliorating factors such as dystocia, low colostrum yield and heat supply is key to the development of strategies to reduce piglet losses and increase vitality. The insights are of particular value in addressing current concerns in pig farming and to further improve animal welfare in pig production across different management types.

An Approach towards a Practicable Assessment of Neonatal Piglet Body Core Temperature Using Automatic Object Detection Based on Thermal Images

“…However, [10] also stated that neonatal piglets, on the contrary to older pigs, may be looked upon as one large thermal window, where the skin temperature is almost uniform throughout the body surface due to their lack of insulation. This fact and the suggestion that nearly all piglets should be in a similar hormonal situation after 30 min of life because they have to overcome the same physiological challenges [40] might explain why the correlation of the maximum surface temperatures of the different body parts with the rectal temperature is very high in our study.…”

The Role of Brown Adipose Tissue and Energy Metabolism in Mammalian Thermoregulation during the Perinatal Period

“…Within the thermogenic responses of the neonate to external environments with low temperatures, shivering is observed; this comes from the production of heat by shivering skeletal muscles where, even though the neonatal muscles and blood supply are immature [ 3 ], heat generation is achieved through the repetitive and constant action of muscle contraction ( Figure 3 ). During this procedure, oxygen consumption and the anaerobic capacity of muscle fibers increase, leading to the oxidation of energy molecules such as carbohydrates and fatty acids [ 34 , 96 , 97 ].…”

“…Parturition is considered an abrupt process that submits mammals to a wide variety of challenges. The challenge of adequately thermoregulating is enhanced because after staying in an environment where the temperature remains regulated and relatively constant, as is the uterus, neonates face an environment with a temperature at least 10 °C lower than in utero [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. This change is potentially stressful even in precocial species such as lambs, who, regardless of the thermoregulatory advantages (e.g., adipose tissue deposits, motor ability to stand up immediately after birth) are still exposed to body temperature drops.…”

“…Transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels—particularly TRPM8 and TRPA1 to detect cold—[ 15 ] receive signals associated with changes in the environmental temperature [ 16 ]. For this reason, it is relevant to know the thermoregulation procedures used by various species, as well as the factors that can influence their development, since all this knowledge can be useful for the creation of strategies that ensure the welfare and survival of newborns, an aspect of great interest for production systems that present significant economic losses due to neonatal mortality of up to 50% [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Thus, this article aims to discuss the neuromodulation mechanisms of thermoregulation and the importance of BAT in the thermogenesis of newborn mammals, emphasizing the analysis of the biochemical, physiological, and genetic factors that determine the distribution, amount, and efficiency of this energy resource in newborns of different species.…”

Vitality in Newborn Farm Animals: Adverse Factors, Physiological Responses, Pharmacological Therapies, and Physical Methods to Increase Neonate Vigor

“…When suffering from perinatal stress, the body releases catecholamines, significantly impacting the activated metabolism, glycolysis, and hyperglycemia [36,54]. By increasing the metabolism, oxygen requirements will be higher [55]. Uncontrolled hypoxia can lead to asphyxia, and when this occurs intrapartum, the fetal lungs decrease the amount of surfactant, inducing respiratory acidosis [7].…”