Oestrone Sulphate Measurements for the Prediction of Small or Large Litters in Pigs

Gaustad-Aas, AH; Ropstad, Erik; Karlberg, K.; Hofmo, P. O.; Dahl, Eilif

doi:10.1186/1751-0147-43-157

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…These results support the potential of a generalized use of the model in various farm conditions and ultimately its employment in machine learning for an automated prediction of litter size as a routine on-farm procedure [ 9 , 17 ]. The usefulness of such a prediction is highlighted by various researchers using RTU technology for counting the gestated litters in other species [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], or by measuring oestrone sulphate blood levels in sows [ 14 , 15 ]. However, the large litters in pigs are difficult to predict accurately by counting with ultrasonography, and the use of RTU for determining the potential numbers of piglets in a litter is not advised [ 27 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Estimation of the expected litter size by the thorough examination of transabdominal or transrectal RTU imagingwas studied in species such as the snowshoe hare, the dog, as well as sheep and goats [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. In the pig, research on the prediction of litter size focuses on measuring maternal oestrone sulphate blood levels [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Evaluation of a Numerical, Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Model for the Prediction of Litter Size in Pregnant Sows, with Machine Learning

Kousenidis

Kirtsanis

Karageorgiou

et al. 2022

Animals

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The present study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a numerical model, quantifying real-time ultrasonographic (RTU) images of pregnant sows, to predict litter size. The time of the test with the least error was also considered. A number of 4165 pregnancies in Farm 1 and 438 in Farm 2 were diagnosed twice, with the quality of the RTU images translated into rated-scale values (RSV1 and RSV2). When a deep neural network (DNN) was trained, the evaluation of the method showed that the prediction of litter size can be performed with little error. Root square mean error (RMSE) for training, validation with data from Farm 1, and testing on the data from Farm 2 were 0.91, 0.97, and 1.05, respectively. Corresponding mean absolute errors (MAE) were 2.27, 2.41, and 2.58. Time appeared to be a critical factor for the accuracy of the model. The smallest MAE was achieved when the RTU was performed at days 20–22. It is concluded that a numerical, RTU imaging model is a prominent predictor of litter size, when a DNN is used. Therefore, early routinely evaluated RTU images of pregnant sows can predict litter size, with machine learning, in an automated manner and provide a useful tool for the efficient management of pregnant sows.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of a Numerical, Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Model for the Prediction of Litter Size in Pregnant Sows, with Machine Learning

Kousenidis

Kirtsanis

Karageorgiou

et al. 2022

Animals

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Effects of dietary l-arginine supplementation to gilts during early gestation on foetal survival, growth and myofiber formation

Bérard

Bee

2010

Animal

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The effects of L-arginine on porcine foetal development and myogenesis were determined. Twenty Swiss Large White gilts were randomly allocated to either the control (C) or L-arginine treatment (A). In addition to the standard gestation diet, A-sows received 26 g L-arginine daily from days 14 to 28 of gestation. At day 75 of pregnancy, sows were sacrificed and the number and weight of foetuses were recorded. From each litter, the lightest, heaviest and the ones with an average foetal weight (FtW) were selected. Primary (P), secondary (S) and total myofiber number as well as S/P ratio were determined in the semitendinosus (ST) and rhomboideus (RH) muscles. In A-sows, the number of viable foetuses (13.0 v. 9.3) and total FtW (4925 v. 3729 g) was greater (P < 0.04) than in C-sows. Compared to C-sow foetuses, the ST of A-sow foetuses had 7% more (17 699 v. 16 477; P 5 0.04) P myofibers and the S/P ratio in both muscles was lower (ST 5 20.3 v. 21.5; RH 5 24.1 v. 27.1; P < 0.07). Regardless of the maternal diet, the S myofiber number and the S/P ratio in both muscles were greater (P < 0.01) in foetuses with a high FtW compared to low FtW. These data suggest that L-arginine supplemented to gilts during early gestation enhanced foetal survival and in the ST positively affected the primary phase of myofiber formation.

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Intrauterine crowding impairs formation and growth of secondary myofibers in pigs

Pardo

Bérard²,

Kreuzer

et al. 2013

Animal

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There are indications that intrauterine crowding may cause intrauterine growth retardation with the possibility of an impaired myofiber hyperplasia. The aim of the study was to confirm this by generating large differences in uterine space using sows that were unilaterally hysterectomized-ovariectomized (HO; crowded) or unilaterally oviduct ligated (OL; non-crowded). In the study, seven HO and seven OL Swiss Large White third parity sows were used. At farrowing, litter size and litter birth weight were determined. Subsequently, within each litter two male and two female progenies each with the respectively lowest (L) and highest (H) birth weight were sacrificed. Internal organs and brain were weighed, and longissimus (LM) and semitendinosus muscle (SM) samples were collected. Histological analyses were performed in both muscles using mATPase staining after preincubation at pH 4.3 and 10.2. Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) polymorphism was determined in the LM by means of SDS-PAGE. The number of piglets born alive was similar in both sow groups, but litter size expressed per uterine horn was lower (P , 0.05) in OL than HO sows. Consequently, OL progeny were markedly heavier (P , 0.01). Regardless of gender, the organs, the brain and the SM were heavier (P , 0.001) in OL and H compared with HO and L offspring, respectively. Compared with HO pigs, the SM of OL offspring tended (P , 0.1) to have more myofibers, which were of larger (P , 0.05) size. However, myofiber density appeared to be lower (P , 0.1) in the SM of OL than HO pigs. The impact of birth weight on myofiber characteristics was limited to the lower (P , 0.05) myofiber density in the SM and the larger (P , 0.01) myofiber size in the light portion of the SM of H than L offspring, whereas myofiber hyperplasia did not differ between birth weight categories. The SM, but not the LM, of male offspring had a greater (P , 0.05) myofiber density. This did not affect total SM myofiber number. The relative abundance of fetal and type I MyHC in the LM was lower (P , 0.05) and that of type II MyHC was greater (P , 0.001) in OL than HO pigs. The current data suggest that regardless of birth weight and gender, in the LM and SM of individuals born from a crowded environment, not only hyperplasia but also hypertrophy of myofibers is impaired and their maturity seems delayed.

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Oestrone Sulphate Measurements for the Prediction of Small or Large Litters in Pigs

Cited by 6 publications

References 24 publications

Evaluation of a Numerical, Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Model for the Prediction of Litter Size in Pregnant Sows, with Machine Learning

Evaluation of a Numerical, Real-Time Ultrasound Imaging Model for the Prediction of Litter Size in Pregnant Sows, with Machine Learning

Effects of dietary l-arginine supplementation to gilts during early gestation on foetal survival, growth and myofiber formation

Intrauterine crowding impairs formation and growth of secondary myofibers in pigs

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