Newborn piglet traits associated with survival and growth performance until weaning

Abstract

Pre-weaning piglet mortality represents significant economic losses, and approximately half of this mortality occurs within the first 3 days after birth. Factors involved in postnatal mortality can also be associated with a poor growth performance until weaning. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of some variables measured right after birth on piglet survival during the first week of life and growth performance until weaning. Piglets included in the analysis (n=612) were born from 3 to 5 parity sows. Piglets were monitored for blood oxygen saturation (SatO2), heart rate (HR), blood glucose concentration, rectal temperature at birth (RT0 h) and at 24h after birth (RT24 h). Genetic line, birth following or not an obstetric intervention, birth order, sex, skin color, integrity of the umbilical cord, and time elapsed from birth until first attempts to stand were also recorded. Piglets were weighed at birth (BW), and at 7, 14 and 21 days after birth in order to evaluate their postnatal development. Cumulative mortality rates were 3.3%, 5.4% and 8.7% at 3, 7 and 21 days after birth, respectively. Body temperature at birth (RT0 h) did not affect (P>0.05) the survival nor the piglet growth performance. Piglets with cyanotic skin and those that took more than 5 min to stand showed higher chance of mortality (P<0.05) compared to normal skin piglets and to piglets which stood before 1 min, respectively. Piglets with broken umbilical cord had higher odds (P<0.05) of mortality up to 3 days after birth, respectively. Higher odds (P<0.05) of mortality up to 3 or 7 days were associated with later birth order (>9), low BW (<1275g), low (24-30 mg/dl) and high (45-162 mg/dl) blood glucose concentrations, or low RT24 h (<38.1°C). Piglets with BW<1545 g, low RT24 h (<38.6°C) and female piglets had higher odds of a low weight at weaning (P<0.05). Among the factors studied, cyanotic skin, delay for standing, broken umbilical cord, high birth order, low BW, low RT24 h, and both low and high blood glucose concentrations are indicators of a lower ability of piglets to survive during the first week after birth. The growth performance until weaning is compromised in piglets with a lower BW, a lower RT24 h and if they are female pigs.

Relationship between birth order, birth weight, colostrum intake, acquisition of passive immunity and pre-weaning mortality of piglets

“…Late born piglets are reported to have a higher mortality rate after birth than earlier born littermates (Hartsock & Graves, 1976;Tuchscherer et al, 2000;Rootwelt et al, 2012;Panzardi et al, 2013). In addition to obtaining less immune protection, late-born piglets are reported to be at greater risk of hypoxia and of death during or just after birth (Randall, 1972).…”

Summaries

“…Introduction The efficiency of production on pig farms can be related to post-parturitional growth efficiency (Houde et al, 2008) and piglet pre-weaning performance (Panzardi et al, 2013), subsequently affecting post-weaning performance (Quiniou et al, 2002). Since antibacterial growth promotors (AGPs) were banned in 2006, searches for alternatives have lead to phytochemicals, or plant extracts.…”

14. Increase sustainability of organic pig production with more vital piglets

“…Heat stress can lead to an increased farrowing duration and longer inter birth intervals between piglets (Oliviero et al, 2008), both of which are associated with an increased risk of piglet mortality (Baxter et al, 2009;Pedersen et al, 2011;Panzardi et al, 2013). We therefore investigate the hypothesis that longer farrowing durations and increased inter birth intervals will be seen when hut temperature exceeds 25°C and more stillborn and crushed piglets will be seen in litters born at >25°C.…”