Prediction of Postpartum Vaginal Discharge Duration in Sows

Abstract

Prolonged farrowing duration increases stillbirth in piglets and affects maternal health leading to a decrease in the reproductive performance of the sow. The present study aimed to predict the duration of postpartum vaginal discharge (PVD, day) in sows. Data were collected from 204 mixed parity Landrace X Yorkshire sows in a swine farm in Bacninh province, Vietnam. Parity, gestation length, litter size, number of dead-born piglets (NDB), farrowing duration (FD, h), and manual extraction (ME) were recorded. Postpartum vaginal discharge was monitored twice a day until no discharge was detected in two successive observations. Linear regression analysis was used to build the model that best predicted the duration of postpartum vaginal discharge. Results showed that the average duration of postpartum vaginal discharge was 3.3 ± 1.6 days. The final multiple linear regression selected manual extraction, farrowing duration, and the number of dead-born piglets as the most significant factors for the prediction of postpartum vaginal discharge duration. All of these three factors were positively associated with PVD. This study indicated that the duration of postpartum vaginal discharge can be predicted. Shortening the farrowing duration, which may reduce the NBD, lowering the rate of manual extraction can be some of the approaches to decrease the duration of postpartum vaginal discharge. Moreover, the results of this study suggested that suitable postpartum treatments such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, and care should be provided to the sows with a high risk of prolonged postpartum vaginal discharge to shorten this period.

Effects of Bacillus subtilis supplementation on reproductive parameters during late gestation in multiparous sowsgestation in multiparous sows

“…The coefficient of variation (%) of piglets' birth weight was calculated by dividing the standard deviation by the mean birth weight of a given litter. After farrowing, postpartum vaginal discharge was observed twice per day in the morning and afternoon until no discharge was detected [10]. The postpartum vaginal discharge duration (PVDD) was calculated as the interval between farrowing and the first observation with no discharge.…”

“…An increase in pig litter size leads to elevated stillbirth rates [1][2][3], reduced birth weight [4], and less uniformity of piglet birth weight [5][6][7][8]. Large litter sizes also result in deterioration in sows' maternal ability [9], increased risks of prolonged postpartum vaginal discharge [10], and postpartum metritis [11]. These conditions increase animal welfare issues and lead to economic losses for the pig industry.…”

Reproductive health of the sow during puerperium

“…OF THE UROGENITAL TRACT In the early postpartum period, the uterine cervix is still open and uterine contractions continue to expel uterine lochia and contaminants. This period is physiological and lasts for approximately 5 days (Grahofer et al, 2021;Maes et al, 1999;Nam, 2020;Waller et al, 2002), with the highest amount between the second and fourth day postpartum (Grahofer et al, 2021). Lochia consists of placental remnants and fluids, and endometrial exudates and debris (Althouse et al, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, the clinical examination needs to focus on vulvar discharge characteristics, urine characteristics and ultrasound of the urogenital tract. Vulvar discharge can vary in duration, color, consistency, and quantity , but obstetrical intervention and prolonged farrowing have been linked with prolonged, more yellowish and increased amounts of vaginal discharge (Grahofer et al, 2021;Nam, 2020;Waller et al, 2002). Further, prolonged vaginal discharge of more than 5 days, seems to be associated with postpartum disease and reduced subsequent reproductive performance (Björkman et al, 2018;Nam, 2020;Waller et al, 2002).…”

“…Vulvar discharge can vary in duration, color, consistency, and quantity , but obstetrical intervention and prolonged farrowing have been linked with prolonged, more yellowish and increased amounts of vaginal discharge (Grahofer et al, 2021;Nam, 2020;Waller et al, 2002). Further, prolonged vaginal discharge of more than 5 days, seems to be associated with postpartum disease and reduced subsequent reproductive performance (Björkman et al, 2018;Nam, 2020;Waller et al, 2002). Grahofer et al (2021), on the other hand, failed to show a correlation between the parameters of the lochia and the subsequent reproductive performance, which may be because they investigated only the physiological duration, lochia, and not prolonged postpartum vaginal discharge.…”