On the agalactia post partum in the sow. A clinical study.

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the clinical symptoms of agalactic sows post partum in randomly selected swine herds. The study comprised 71 sows affected with agalactia post partum and 71 healthy sows from the same herds used as controls. Average morbidity of the disease in these 50 herds, consisting of an average of 25 sows, was 12.8%. Sixty-three per cent of the agalactic sows were affected within one day after farrowing. There was no difference in gestation length between healthy sows and agalactic sows. The body temperature was significantly higher for affected than for healthy sows. Mastitis was diagnosed in 35 out of 71 agalactic sows. The criteria for mastitis were swelling and herdening of one or several udder glands. Vaginal discharge was recorded for affected sows (55/57) as well as for healthy sows (51/58) and is therefore not significantly associated with agalactia. The temperament of the agalactic sows was moderately or severely affected in 62 out of 71 agalactic sows. Constipation was recorded for 13/59 agalactic sows and for 3/57 normal sows. The agalactic sows had significantly higher number of piglets per litter at birth while the litter size was higher for healthy sows at weaning. Numerically, more sows were culled among agalactic sows (16/48) than among normal sows (6/42). Moreover, sows affected with agalactia at the previous parturition were more inclined to meet with the disease at the next parturition. Further studies comprising large groups of animals are, however, necessary for evaluation of this question.     

饲粮添加吡咯喹啉醌对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响

本试验旨在比较吡咯喹啉醌(PQQ)与维生素E和有机硒对围产期母猪繁殖性能和抗氧化功能的影响。选用40头体重和背膘厚接近且妊娠90 d的第3胎大约克母猪,随机分为2组,每组20头。对照组在基础饲粮中添加60 mg/kg维生素E和0.20 mg/kg有机硒,试验组在基础饲粮中添加1 mg/kg PQQ。试验期为妊娠第90天至分娩后第7天。结果表明:与对照组相比,饲粮添加PQQ对母猪产程、产仔数、产活仔数及仔猪初生窝重、仔猪平均初生重以及产后7 d仔猪平均日增重均无显著影响(P0.05),但数值上有所升高;饲粮添加PQQ显著提高了初生仔猪和母猪血清总超氧化物歧化酶、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶活性及还原型谷胱甘肽含量(P0.05),显著降低了血清丙二醛含量(P0.05),对血清过氧化氢酶活性、总抗氧化能力及氧化型谷胱甘肽含量均无显著影响(P0.05)。综合得出,围产期饲粮中添加PQQ较维生素E和有机硒对母猪繁殖性能无显著影响,能显著增强围产期母猪及初生仔猪的血清抗氧化功能。     

Dietary fiber for pregnant sows: influence on sow physiology and performance during lactation

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding sows a bulky diet during gestation on their physiological and metabolic adaptations during the peripartum period, and to determine how these effects may relate to sow and piglet performances. From d 26 of gestation until farrowing, gilts were fed diets that contained 2.8 or 11.0% crude fiber (control and high-fiber diets, respectively, n = 9/group). Daily feed allowance provided the same amount of DE daily (33 MJ of DE/d). Throughout lactation, sows were allowed to consume a standard lactating sow diet ad libitum. Litters were standardized to 12 piglets beyond 48 h after birth. On d 105 of gestation, a jugular catheter was surgically implanted. Preprandial blood samples were collected from d 109 of gestation to the day after farrowing and on d 4, 18, and 26 of lactation. Meal tests and glucose tolerance tests were performed on d 109 of gestation and d 4 and 18 of lactation. During gestation, BW and backfat gain did not differ between treatment groups. During lactation, sows fed the high-fiber diet ate an average of 0.94 kg/d more than control sows (P < 0.02). Piglets born from sows fed the high-fiber diet grew faster than piglets from control sows (P = 0.03). Body weight and backfat losses did not differ between the 2 treatment groups. Sows fed the high-fiber diet during gestation had lesser concentrations of leptin before farrowing than control sows (P < 0.01). Leptin concentrations were negatively correlated with feed intake during lactation (P < 0.05). The prepartal increase in prolactin concentrations tended to be greater in sows fed the high-fiber diet than in control sows (P < 0.1). Preprandial concentrations of glucose, NEFA, lactate, and IGF-I fluctuated over time without significant treatment effect. Glucose half-life was shorter in late gestation than during both stages of lactation, but did not differ between sows in the 2 groups. In late gestation, the postprandial increases in glucose and insulin were delayed, and smaller, after a high-fiber meal than after a control meal. During lactation, glucose and insulin profiles after a standard meal did not differ between sows from treatment groups. In conclusion, the greater appetite of lactating sows fed a high-fiber diet during gestation does not seem related to changes in glucose and insulin metabolism and may be partly due to decreased secretion of leptin. The greater feed consumption was accompanied by a faster growth rate of piglets without sparing effect on maternal body reserves.     

Effects of dietary star anise (Illicium verum Hook f) supplementation during gestation and lactation on the performance of lactating multiparous sows and nursing piglets

Thirty‐two sows were allocated to four treatments to evaluate the effect of dietary star anise (SA) supplementation during gestation and lactation on the lactational performance of sows. At 85 days of gestation, sows were randomly allotted to one of two diets supplemented with 0.5% SA or basal diet. After farrowing, sows were further allotted to one of two lactation diets supplemented with 0.5% SA or basal diet. On a weekly basis, body weight (BW) of sows and piglets was measured. Blood and milk samples were obtained from the sows and piglets. Number of days from weaning to estrus, milk yield and feed intake were also recorded. Weight gain of piglets from sows fed the SA‐supplemented diet during lactation was greater between days 7 and 14, days 14 and 21 and the overall experimental period compared with control groups. Supplementation of SA during lactation improved weaning weight of piglets, milk yield and average daily feed intake (ADFI) of sows. The SA diet increased concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) in ordinary milk and prolactin (PRL) in serum of sows. In conclusion, this study has indicated the beneficial effects of dietary SA addition in improving the lactation performance of sows.     

An increased feed intake during early pregnancy improves sow body weight recovery and increases litter size in young sows

This study evaluated the effect of feeding level and protein content in feed in first- and second-parity sows during the first month of gestation on sow BW recovery, farrowing rate, and litter size during the first month of gestation. From d 3 to 32 after the first insemination, sows were fed either 2.5 kg/d of a standard gestation diet (control, n = 49), 3.25 kg/d (+30%) of a standard gestation diet (plus feed, n = 47), or 2.5 kg/d of a gestation diet with 30% greater ileal digestible AA (plus protein, n = 49). Feed intake during the experimental period was 29% greater for sows in the plus feed group compared with those in the control and plus protein groups (93 vs. 72 kg, P < 0.05). Sows in the plus feed group gained 10 kg more BW during the experimental period compared with those in the control and plus protein groups (24.2 ± 1.2 vs. 15.5 ± 1.2 and 16.9 ± 1.2 kg, respectively, P < 0.001). Backfat gain and loin muscle depth gain were not affected by treatment (P = 0.56 and P = 0.37, respectively). Farrowing rate was smaller, although not significantly, for sows in the plus feed group compared with those in the control and plus protein groups (76.6% vs. 89.8 and 89.8%, respectively, P = 0.16). Litter size, however, was larger for sows in the plus feed group (15.2 ± 0.5 total born) compared with those in the control and plus protein groups (13.2 ± 0.4 and 13.6 ± 0.4 total born, respectively, P = 0.006). Piglet birth weight was not different among treatments (P = 0.65). For both first- and second-parity sows, the plus feed treatment showed similar effects on BW gain, farrowing rate, and litter size. In conclusion, an increased feed intake (+30%) during the first month of gestation improved sow BW recovery and increased litter size, but did not significantly affect farrowing rate in the subsequent parity. Feeding a 30% greater level of ileal digestible AA during the same period did not improve sow recovery or reproductive performance in the subsequent parity.     

Response of pregnant and lactating sows to reduced protein content in complete compound feed

The experimental material consisted of 42 sows divided into 3 feeding groups, each containing 14 sows fed complete compound feed varying in protein content. Protein and amino acid content of the feed fed to the control group was in compliance with Polish standards. Protein content in the experimental groups was reduced by 10% and 20%, respectively. At the same time, lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophane content was supplemented to the level of the control group. All pregnant and lactating sows were fed individually. The condition of the sows was determined by measuring the thickness of backfat at the P2 position on days 30 and 105 of pregnancy and on day 25 of lactation. The data analyzed in the study included: the total number of piglets born, their body weight gain, milk composition, weaning-to-estrus interval and the farrowing rate. Protein content of the compound feed did not have a significant impact on the increment in backfat during pregnancy and losses during lactation. The sows fed compound feed with reduced protein content gave birth to 0.7 and 0.6 less piglets per litter than the control animals. However, due to lower losses, they bred 0.3 and 0.4 more piglets than the control sows. Average body weight of a piglet on day 21 was 0.5 kg lower in the experimental than in the control group. Dry matter, protein, fat and lactose content of the sow's milk did not depend on protein content of the feed. The weaning-to-estrus interval in the experimental groups was one day longer than in the control group. The reproductive rate accounted for 86% and was comparable in all the groups.     

Reproductive performance of first and second parity sows fed daily or every third day

Crossbred gilts were used in a two-parity experiment to measure the effect on reproductive performance of feeding every third day during gestation.Diets were formulated with maize and soybean meal to 12% and 16% crude protein for gestation and lactation, respectively. Experimental feeding regimens were imposed from an average day 30 to an average day 109 of gestation. During this period, the gravid gilts or sows housed in confinement were fed either 1.9 kg of the gestation diet daily or permitted ad libitum access to the diet for 1 day in each 3-day period. The lactation diet was provided ad libitum from farrowing until weaning at 28 days post partum. From weaning until the dietary treatments were reimposed about 30 days post-coitus, the females were fed 1.9 kg of the gestation diet per day.First-parity females fed ad libitum every third day consumed an average of 0.4 kg more feed per day than did those restricted to 1.9 kg of diet per day. There was no effect of feeding regimen on gestation weight gain or any criteria of reproductive performance, e.g. litter size or weaning weights of piglets. During the second parity, sows allowed to eat ad libitum every third day gained significantly more weight during gestation than those fed daily, reflecting an average daily feed intake that was 1.2 kg greater than that of the control animals fed 1.9 kg day^?1. Second parity reproductive performance was not affected by treatment. Backfat thickness measured at the point of the shoulder and at the last rib on day 30 and day 109 of gestation and at weaning increased during gestation and decreased during lactation regardless of feeding regimen or parity.Feeding gravid pigs every third day did not adversely affect reproductive performance; however, average daily feed intake was increased. Although the sows seemed to adapt quickly to a three-day feeding schedule, welfare aspects need to be investigated further.     

Optimal feed level during the transition period to achieve faster farrowing and high colostrum yield in sows

This study aimed to determine the optimal supply of lactation feed during the transition period to minimize farrowing duration (FD) and maximize colostrum yield (CY) and quality with the overall aim of reducing piglet mortality. A total of 48 sows were stratified for body weight and assigned to six levels of feed supply (1.8, 2.4, 3.1, 3.7, 4.3, and 5.0 kg/d) from day 108 of gestation until 24 h after the onset of farrowing. The number of total born, live-born, and stillborn piglets; birth time and birth weight of each piglet; and frequency of farrowing assistance (FA) was recorded, and blood samples were obtained from newborn piglets at birth. Live-born piglets were further weighed at 12 and 24 h after birth to record weight gain, which in turn was used to estimate intake and yield of colostrum. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 12, 24, and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. FD was shortest (4.2 h) at intermediate (3.7 kg/d), longest (7.1 to 7.6 h) at low (1.8 and 2.4 kg/d), and intermediate (5.6 to 5.7 h) at high (4.3 and 5.0 kg/d) feed intake (P = 0.004; mean comparison). FA was lowest (0.7% to 0.8%) at intermediate feed intake (3.7 and 4.3 kg/d) and substantially elevated (4.3% to 4.7%) at both lower and higher feed intake (P = 0.01; mean comparison). The cubic contrast revealed 4.1 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to achieve the shortest FD and to minimize FA. Newborn piglets from second-parity sows were less vital than piglets from gilts as evaluated by blood biochemical variables immediately after birth. CY was greatest at 3.1 kg/d (P = 0.04), whereas the cubic contrast revealed 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake to maximize CY. Concentrations of colostral components were affected by the diet, parity, and their interaction except for lactose concentrations. In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of proper feed level during the transition period on sow productivity. Moreover, this study estimated 4.1 and 3.0 kg/d as the optimal feed intake during the transition period to improve farrowing characteristic and CY, respectively, and these two feed intake levels supplied daily 38.8 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) and 23.9 g standardized ileal digestible (SID) lysine (3.0 kg/d) or 53.0 MJ ME and 32.7 g SID lysine (4.1 kg/d). The discrepancy of optimal feed intake for optimal farrowing and colostrum performance suggests that it may be advantageous to lower dietary lysine concentration in the diet fed prepartum.     

Performance and individual feed intake characteristics of group-housed sows fed a nonstarch polysaccharides diet ad libitum during gestation over three parities

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of feeding group-housed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable nonstarch polysaccharides (NSP; approximately 45% sugar beet pulp as fed) ad libitum on the development in individual feed intake characteristics and reproductive performance during three successive reproduction cycles. Performance of the ad libitum-fed sows was compared to the performance of sows that were fed a conventional diet restrictedly. Feed intake characteristics during gestation were only measured in the ad libitum-fed sows. One hundred and nineteen sows were assigned to one of two gestation feeding regimens. Gestating sows were fed a conventional Dutch diet restrictedly or a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum. During lactation, sows were given free access to a commercial lactation diet from d 6 after parturition onward. The ad libitum-fed sows ate 1.3 kg/d more during gestation than the restrictedly fed sows (P < 0.001), resulting in higher body weight and backfat gains during gestation (P < 0.05). Sows that were fed ad libitum during gestation lost more body weight and backfat during lactation (P < 0.001) than sows that were fed restrictedly during gestation. Feed intake during lactation, however, did not differ between sows that were fed restrictedly or ad libitum during gestation. The numbers of total piglets born, live-born and stillborn piglets, piglet birth weight, weaning-to-estrus interval, and percentage of sows that returned to estrus after first insemination were not affected by gestation feeding regimen. Mean daily voluntary feed intake (as-fed basis) over the three reproduction cycles in the ad libitum-fed gestating sows was 4.2 kg/d. Depending on the number of preceding reproduction cycles during which a sow was fed ad libitum, the maximum voluntary feed intake was reached in Parity 3, 4, or 5 and then remained stable in subsequent parities. Mean daily feed intake of the ad libitum-fed sows increased from wk 2 to 6 of gestation and then decreased to wk 15 of gestation. The mean number of daily visits with feed intake over the three reproduction cycles was 13.8. On average, ad libitum-fed sows spent 90 min/d on eating. This study shows that it is possible to feed gestating sows a diet with a high level of fermentable NSP ad libitum during three successive reproduction cycles without negative effects on reproductive performance.     

Eradication of some infectious pig diseases by perinatal tiamulin treatment and early weaning

From 10 days before the expected date of farrowing onwards, 97 sows infected by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Treponema hyodysenteriae were given tiamulin daily at a dosage of 20 mg/kg bodyweight via the feed. Three days before farrowing the sows were washed with a disinfectant and transferred to an isolated farrowing house. The sucking piglets remained with their dams for five days, during which time the sows continued to receive the tiamulin-containing feed. The sucking piglets also received tiamulin daily at a dosage of 30 mg/kg bodyweight. At six days old the weaker piglets of the litter were returned to the original herd, together with their dams. A total of 574 piglets of about 1.5 kg bodyweight each were transferred to an isolated and previously disinfected pig farm and reared there. A total of 13.8 per cent of these pigs died by 50 days old. On the isolated farm, 10.9 per cent of the 829 second generation piglets born to the 101 first generation sows, died up to the age of 50 days. On the isolated farm about 2000 pigs were subjected to repeated clinical, pathological and laboratory examinations for M hyopneumoniae, T hyodysenteriae, Aujeszky's disease virus and Leptospira species during the three year period of study. No evidence of infection with any of these agents was found in the 2000 pigs of the isolation herd, although the original sow herd had been latently infected by these pathogens. No maternally derived antibodies against these pathogens were detectable in sera of three-day-old sucking piglets of the second and third generations.     

有效微生物群对仔猪生产性能的影响初探

对产后母猪和断奶仔猪饲喂有效微生物菌群(EM),研究其对仔猪生产性能的影响。从产前7d开始给母猪基础饲料中添加5mL/kg的EM菌液,选产仔数不少于8头的3头母猪及其仔猪连续饲喂EM菌28d,仔猪进行断奶,统计母猪的增重、仔猪初生重、断奶重,仔猪成活率等,分析添加EM菌后对母猪生产性能的影响。在这24头断奶仔猪饲料中添加EM菌的饲料,饲喂至60日龄,统计仔猪的增重、采食量、料重比、发病数等,分析EM菌断奶仔猪生产性能的影响。另外选取3头同品种、同批次生产、产仔数相同的母猪及其仔猪饲料中不添加EM菌作为对照。结果表明,母猪产后日均采食量较对照组提高12.07%,仔猪的初生重较对照组提高15.90%,产活仔数提高了12.09%,断奶重增加9.09%,断奶头数增多20.99%,断奶成活率提高8.81%。断奶后仔猪试验组的平均采食量较对照组提高10.26%,料重比降低了7.14%,发病率下降了50.03%。说明EM菌对母猪和仔猪的生产性能均有提高作用,研究结果为EM菌在生猪养殖中的应用提供了基础资料。     

Socializing piglets before weaning: effects on behavior of lactating sows, pre- and postweaning behavior, and performance of piglets

This study evaluated how socializing piglets before weaning affects behavior of lactating sows and the pre- and postweaning behavior and performance of piglets. Two farrowing rooms, each with 6 pens, and 1 nursery with 4 pens were used. In total, data were obtained from 24 sows and their litters. In each farrowing room, the solid barriers between 3 farrowing pens were removed on d 12 after farrowing, and the sows remained confined in their crates (experimental group). In the other 3 farrowing pens of each farrowing room, sows and their litters were kept under conventional conditions until weaning (control group). All piglets were weaned 28 d after birth. After weaning, piglets from each group remained together in 1 pen of the nursery. The behavior of sows (lying, standing, sitting, nursing) and piglets (lying, active, suckling) in the farrowing rooms was observed for 24 h before and for 48 h after removal of the barriers between the pens. In addition, behavior (active, lying, feeding, agonistic behavior) of piglets was observed in the nursery during the initial 48-h period after weaning. Each piglet was weighed on d 5, 12, and 28 after birth and thereafter weekly until the fifth week of rearing. In the farrowing room, mixing of litters did not influence behavior of piglets and sows. Preweaning weight gain of the piglets did not differ (P = 0.60) between the treatments. In the initial 48 h after weaning, less agonistic behavior (P < 0.001) was observed in piglets belonging to the experimental group. During 5 wk of rearing, piglets in the experimental group gained more weight compared with the control group (P = 0.05). The advantage shown by the experimental group became especially conspicuous in the first week after weaning (P = 0.05). By socializing unfamiliar piglets before weaning, stress due to mixing could at least be distanced in time from the other burdens of weaning, thereby improving performance.     

Observations on the action of amperozide: are there social influences on sow-litter productivity?

The effects of amperozide on sow performance when administered as a single intramuscular injection of 1 mg kg-1 at the time of either farrowing or weaning, or on both occasions were evaluated. Treatments were given during the rearing of two consecutive litters with each individual sow remaining on the same treatment throughout the trial. In total, 64 sows, 16 per treatment group, were used to investigate the effects on weight loss during lactation, mastitis-metritis agalactia (MMA) and duration of the reproductive cycle. Untreated control sows lost more weight (2 to 3 kg) during lactation than sows treated with amperozide at farrowing. No clinical outbreak of MMA was recorded in the amperozide groups dosed at the time of farrowing. The number of empty days was decreased (about three days) in sows treated with amperozide at weaning. Furthermore, pre-weaning mortality decreased (8 per cent) and piglet growth rate improved (6 per cent) when sows were treated with amperozide at farrowing. The results suggest that amperozide improves the health status and productivity of sows by reducing their emotional responses to novel or threatening situations.     

Analysis of Possible Influence of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Growth Performance and Losses of Piglets

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of supplementing the feed ration for lactating sows with the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the growth performance and losses of piglets from birth to weaning. The monitoring comprised 20 litters in control and 20 litters in experimental group of Czech Large White × Czech Landrace hybrid combination sows. The control group was given a standard feed mixture for lactating sows, and experimental group was fed with the feed mixture supplemented with 2% of CLA, from the day of farrowing to the weaning of piglets, that is for the time of 28 days. The results of the experiment indicate the significantly better parameters of the numbers of reared piglets in the experimental group and the related lower level of losses of piglets from birth to weaning (p < 0.01). However, the feed mixture for lactating sows enriched in conjugated linoleic acid had no significant effect on the growth performance of piglets from birth to weaning (p > 0.05). Sows in the experimental group showed earlier onset of post‐partal oestrus after weaning of piglets (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the supplementation of diet for lactating sows with CLA can improve survival of piglets from birth to weaning and shortening of weaning‐to‐oestrous interval in sows.     

夏季不同饲喂方式对两广小耳花猪哺乳母猪生产性能的影响

本试验旨在研究夏季不同饲喂次数和料水比对两广小耳花猪生产性能的影响,选择48头两广小耳花猪哺乳母猪,分为4组,每组12头母猪。4个处理组的饲喂方式分别为饲喂2次/d和料水比为1∶2.5(对照组)、饲喂2次/d和料水比为1∶3.5、饲喂3次/d和料水比为1∶2.5、饲喂3次/d和料水比为1∶3.5。监测母猪从产后至断奶25 d的采食量、仔猪生长性能以及环境温湿度等指标。结果表明:饲喂3次/d与2次/d母猪的日平均采食量分别为3.33、2.41 kg,哺乳期间母猪平均总采食量前者较后者高23 kg/头;哺乳仔猪平均断奶窝重分别为32.35、29.14 kg,窝增重前者较后者高3.17 kg/窝。综上,通过增加饲喂次数和选择与人工作息时间不一致的时间点饲喂可以提高哺乳母猪的采食量,但需要智能化自动化饲喂设备相配套。     

Effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows

This study evaluated the effects of different gestation housing types on reproductive performance of sows. A total of 60 sows (218 ± 24 kg body weight) with mixed parity were used. During gestation, 28 sows were housed in groups with electronic sow feeders (space allowance = 1.26 m²/sow) and 32 sows were housed in individual stalls (space allowance = 1.20 m²/sow). Sows from both housing types were moved to farrowing crates on day 109 of gestation and stayed until weaning (18 days post‐farrowing). Typical corn‐soybean meal diets were provided to sows during gestation and lactation. Measurements were reproductive performance of sows at farrowing as well as performance of sows and their litter during lactation. Similar total numbers of piglets born at farrowing were observed for sows gestated in both housing types. However, group‐housed gestation sows had more mummies (0.321 vs. 0.064; P < 0.05) and stillbirths (0.893 vs. 0.469; P = 0.073) at farrowing than individual‐housed gestation sows. Consequently, individual‐housing type had higher percentage of piglets born alive (95.5 vs. 90.4%; P < 0.05) than the group‐housing type. Therefore, improved reproductive performance of sows from individual gestating housing was confirmed in this study.     

Effects of oral caffeine administration to sows with induced parturition on hypoxia in piglets

To counteract the effects of perinatal hypoxia in piglets, the oral administration of caffeine to sows with induced parturition was evaluated. On day 113 of gestation 9 sows received 27 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine mixed with 200 g of standard diet. The same amount of feed without the addition of caffeine was administered to 9 control sows. Additionally, on day 113 of gestation, all sows were treated by two injections in the perianal area of 1 mg of alfaprostol (at 8:00 am and 14:00 pm), and on the morning of farrowing by 14 IU of oxytocin in the perianal area. Caffeine did not affect BW of piglets and size of litters; however piglets from treated sows showed a higher capacity to adapt to extra-uterine life. Particularly, they showed a greater thermoregulatory ability (P<0.001) and a higher percentage of viability score≥7 compared to piglets from control sows (92% vs. 75%, respectively; P=0.030). Caffeine furthermore reduced the frequency of high serum biopterin values (>80 nmol/L) in piglets born from treated sows (P=0.001). In conclusion, the caffeine orally administered to sows with induced parturition showed a protective effect on the consequences of neonatal hypoxia in tissue ischemia–reperfusion injury in piglets.     

基础日粮添加蜂胶对母猪生产性能的影响

为了研究蜂胶对母猪生产性能的影响,选择16头配种时间、胎次基本一致的长大妊娠母猪为材料,随机分成对照组和试验组。对照组只饲喂基础日粮,试验组则在基础日粮中添加蜂胶。试验从母猪妊娠81d进产房开始,到仔猪21日龄断奶后7d结束。研究结果表明,与对照组相比,试验组仔猪断奶重平均提高0.62kg,差异极显著(P<0.01);成活率提高4.51%,差异显著(P<0.05);在哺乳和断奶前7d,试验组仔猪腹泻率分别比对照组低1.37%(P<0.05)、2.96%(P<0.01)。因此,蜂胶对提高母猪生产性能有较大促进作用。     

Effect of season and outdoor climate on litter size at birth in purebred landrace and yorkshire sows in Thailand

The objective of the present study was to retrospectively investigate causes of variation on litter size at birth (total number of piglets born per litter (TB) and number of piglets born alive per litter (BA)) of Landrace (L) and Yorkshire (Y) sows in swine nucleus herds in Thailand. The data included sows farrowed during a four-year period from January 1998 to December 2001. The analyzed data set included observations on 8020 litters from 2199 L sows and 6919 litters from 1680 Y sows. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied for statistical analyses using General Linear Mixed Model (MIXED) procedure of SAS. No breed difference was found for both TB and BA. Farrowing months significantly influenced TB and BA (P<0.001). Sows farrowed in August and September had a lower BA than sows farrowed from November to June (P<0.05). Effect of farrowing months on both TB and BA was more pronounced in primiparous compared with multiparous sows. Average minimum daily temperature during gestation negatively correlated with both TB and BA, average maximum daily temperature during gestation negatively correlated with BA and average daily humidity during gestation negatively correlated with both TB and BA. The correlations were stronger in L than in Y sows.     

玉米赤霉烯酮对母猪繁殖性能和胎盘免疫相关基因表达量的影响

本试验旨在研究饲粮中添加玉米赤霉烯酮(ZEN)对母猪繁殖性能和胎盘免疫相关基因表达量的影响。选择胎次相近、体重200 kg、妊娠第30天的长×大二元杂交母猪40头,随机分为2组,每组20个重复,每个重复1头。对照组饲喂基础饲粮,试验组饲粮在基础饲粮中添加1.5 mg/kg的ZEN。试验期74 d。结果表明,与对照组相比:1)饲粮中添加ZEN显著提高了妊娠期母猪死胎数和弱仔猪数(P0.05),显著降低了母猪总产仔数(P0.05);2)饲粮中添加ZEN显著提高了妊娠期母猪血清孕酮含量(P0.05);3)饲粮中添加ZEN显著提高了妊娠期母猪胎盘中Toll样受体-2(TLR-2)和孕酮受体(PGR)基因表达量(P0.05)。由此可见,母猪妊娠期饲粮中添加1.5 mg/kg ZEN可显著降低母猪总产仔数,并显著提高死胎数和弱仔猪数。饲粮中低水平的ZEN对母猪繁殖性能仍产生不利影响。