The effect of postparturient urogenital diseases on the lifetime reproductive performance of sows

To prove the effect of postparturient swine urogenital disease (SUGD) on reproductive performance, culled sows with SUGD in their previous history (n=1363) were subjected to retrospective lifetime production analysis. The sows were assigned to parity groups 1, 2 to 6, and >6. Bacterial flora of vulval discharges were evaluated. Parity 1 sows had a lower percentage of SUGD than did sows of parity 2 to 6 and parity >6 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Compared with parity 2 to 6 sows, parity 1 and parity >6 sows had lower (P < 0.001) conception, farrowing and adjusted farrowing rates, lifetime average total born, live-born litter sizes, stillbirth rates, and weaning litter weights compared with animals culled for other reasons than SUGD. The conclusions are that high parity sows have a higher occurrence of postparturient SUGD and that higher parity sows with postparturient SUGD have a lower performance compared with lower parity sows with postparturient SUGD.     

Urogenital diseases and their effect on reproductive performance in high-parity sows

In a Slowakian indoor pig production unit (2423 sows), from June to December 2002 all culled sows with excessive vulval discharge at culling, and with vulval discharge and periparturient disease in their previous history were subjected to retrospective lifetime production analysis. The sows were assigned to nine groups according to parity (parity 1-9). Average total litter size, average live-born litter size, average stillbirth rate, average mummy rate, and average litter weaning weight were evaluated retrospectively for all births. Non-culled sows represented the control animals. The percentage of animals with periparturient disease and vulval discharge in their history differed between parities. Parity 2, 3, and 4 sows had a significantly lower percentage of vulval discharge and periparturient disease in their history than sows of other parities. Compared to parity 1-6 sows, parity 7-9 sows had significantly lower (P < .001) conception rates, farrowing rates, and adjusted farrowing rates. Compared to parity 1-2 and 7-9 sows, parity 3-6 sows had a significantly larger (P < .001) lifetime average total born and live-born litter size. Compared to parity 1-3 and 7-9 sows, parity 4-6 sows had a significantly lower (P < .001) rate of stillbirths over all parities. No differences in mummy rates were detected between the sows of different parities. Compared to parity 1-2 and 7-9 sows, parity 3-6 sows had significantly higher (P < .001) weaning litter weights over all parities. Sows without a history of vulval discharge and periparturient disease had higher (P < .001) production levels in parity 7-9. IMPLICATIONS: The present results indicate that parity markedly influences the production level of sows that have a history of periparturient disease and vulval discharge.     

镁对母猪繁殖性能的影响及其可能机理

镁是生物体内重要的阳离子,有重要的生理学功能,镁影响母猪繁殖性能已有报道.有关镁影响母猪繁殖性能的机理目前还缺乏深入研究报道.文章简述镁对母猪繁殖性能的影响,根据镁的生理功能从其抗应激、抗氧化、影响骨骼发育和免疫状态等角度阐述其可能机理.     

Effect of intramuscularly administered beta-carotene on reproductive performance in sows

The present study investigated the effects of intramuscularly administered beta-carotene on reproductive parameters in female pigs. A total of 216 multiparous sows were observed from weaning of their litters until the next farrowing. On the day of weaning, the animals were allocated to two groups. Sows of the treatment group were injected with 70 mg beta-carotene both at the day of weaning and after the last insemination, sows of the control group were left untreated. For all sows, intramuscular injection of beta-carotene resulted in a significant increase of the total number of piglets born per litter by 1.2 (p < 0.05). When sows were divided by parity, beta-carotene treatment in second parity sows increased the total number of piglets per litter (beta-carotene 13.7 +/- 1.2, control 11.2 +/- 3.7, p < 0.01) and the number of piglets born alive (beta-carotene 12.0 +/- 2.7, control 10.0 +/- 3.4, p < 0.05). No such effect was seen in sows of third or higher parity. No other reproductive parameters were affected by beta-carotene supplementation. Tolerability and safety of the administered preparation were good. No side effects related to the medication were observed. The effect of beta-carotene on reproduction is thus affected by parity of the sows. This effect seems to be exerted mainly during early pregnancy and is most likely beta-carotene-specific and independent from its role as a vitamin A precursor.     

Evaluation of pyelonephritis in culled indoor and outdoor high parity sows

The present trial was conducted in Hungary in neighboring large indoor and outdoor pig production units, belonging to the same breeding company. Rejected kidneys from 201 (out of 241; 83.4%) outdoor, and 191 (out of 512, 37.3%) indoor high parity sows, with previous history of recidiving postparturient fever and excessive postparturient vulvovaginal discharge were gross pathologically bacteriologically, and histologically evaluated. All rejected kidneys revealed chronic pyelonephritis. In outdoor sows Escherichia (E.) coli and Actinobaculum (A.) suis were cultured from all kidneys. Besides E. coli and A. suis, Clostridium spp., Arcanobacterium pyogenes, gram-positive streptococci (enterococci, Streptococcus faecalis), staphylococci (Staphylococcus (S.) albus, S. epidermis, S. aureus), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and Klebsiella spp. were concurrently found in 131 (64.7%) kidneys; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter, Pasteurella multocida, Proteus spp. were concurrently found beside E. coli and A. suis in 71 (35.3%) kidneys. In indoor sows E. coli and A. suis were cultured from all kidneys as well. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter, Pasteurella multocida, Proteus spp. were found beside E. coli and A. suis in 21 (11%) kidneys. However only 6 sows (3.1%) revealed the concurrent presence of Clostridium spp., Arcanobacterium pyogenes, gram-positive streptococci (enterococci, Streptococcus faecalis), staphylococci (S. albus, S. epidermis, S. aureus), Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and Klebsiella spp. Implications: in Eastern European climate, more high parity outdoor sows with recidiving postparturient fever and vulvovaginal discharge have pyelonephritis and higher diversity of pathogenic bacteria in the renal pelvis compared with indoor sows.     

Maternal behaviour and performance in first-parity outdoor sows

When sows and their litters are kept outdoors, much of the responsibility for the litter is shifted from the herdsman to the sow compared to when the sows are kept indoors. Therefore, the maternal ability, including maternal behaviour, is believed to be important in outdoor piglet production. The aim of this study was to describe maternal traits in conventionally bred first-parity sows kept outdoors. Nursing behaviour, sow activity, sow body reserves, litter size and piglet growth were studied in 40 first-parity sows during a seven week long lactation. The sows were kept in groups outdoors. Sow activity (lying down or active) and nursing behaviour (nursing frequency, nursing duration and nursing terminator) were recorded on videotapes at four days post partum (pp) and directly observed at four and six weeks pp. Cross suckling was observed at four and six weeks pp. Sows were weighed and measured for backfat depth five days before farrowing, two weeks pp and at weaning seven weeks pp. Piglets were weighed at four days pp, at two weeks pp and at weaning. We concluded that sow nursing behaviour and activity are individual characteristics repeatable within sows' late lactation. Less active sows are more available for suckling. Light and thin sows have an earlier and more progressed weaning process than heavier, fatter sows. A significant positive relation was found between sow appetite in early lactation and piglet growth until weaning. Sow nursing behaviour is not important for piglet growth when sows and piglets are held in groups, piglets have access to sow feed and piglets are weaned as late as at seven weeks of age.     

Effect of gilt development diet on the reproductive performance of primiparous sows

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of development diet on first-parity reproductive performance across different genetic types of females. Gilts (n = 708) 8 to 15 d of age from five genetic lines were assembled using a segregated early weaning protocol. Genetic types represented industry variation for reproductive capacity and lean growth potential. Sampling procedures were not designed to evaluate performance differences among the genetic lines. When the gilts weighed approximately 20 kg, they were moved from the nursery facilities to a slotted-floor, environmentally controlled facility, and seven to eight animals within a genetic type were penned together. When the gilts weighed approximately 40 kg, they were moved to a modified open-front facility. Nineteen gilts were allotted to each pen (.92 m2 per pig). Gilts were assigned to one of three development diets at 120 d of age. Diet 1 (high energy, 18% CP) and Diet 2 (high energy, 13% CP) were provided for ad libitum consumption to the assigned gilts until they weighed approximately 113 kg. Gilts receiving Diet 3 (23% CP) were fed 1.8 kg/d from 82 kg until they reached 180 d of age (approximately 100 kg). Gilts were fed 2 kg daily of a gestation diet from 180 d to 200 d of age and 2.7 kg daily from 200 d until mating. To stimulate the estrus cycle, gilts were commingled and exposed to vasectomized boars beginning at 180 d of age. Gilts that were in estrus and 210 d of age or older were artificially inseminated with commercial semen. Gilts not detected in estrus within the first 50 d of observation were injected with PG600 and estrus detection continued for 30 additional days. Of the 657 gilts entering breeding pens, 422 farrowed. Bred gilts were distributed to 10 cooperator facilities before farrowing. Mixed model procedures were used to analyze the data. Significant (P < .05) genetic type x gilt development diet interactions were found for number of pigs born, number of pigs born alive, total litter birth weight, and litter birth weight of pigs born alive. Significant interactions consistently involved one genetic line and gilt development Diets 1 and 2. Gilts from this genetic line-diet subclass had poorer farrowing performance (P < .05) than gilts from the same line fed development Diet 3. Only two other significant genetic line x gilt development diet interactions were found. Gilt development diet had little influence on first-parity reproductive performance.     

长大、长本和内江母猪繁殖成绩调查分析

本研究调查了97头农民散养哺乳母猪（其中长大二杂母猪33头,长本二杂母猪33头,内江母猪31头）的繁殖成绩,结果表明,在窝产间隔、窝产仔数、产活仔数、断奶窝重上,长本二杂母猪、内江母猪表现正常,长大二杂母猪在断奶窝重上表现较好成绩,但其余3项指标差,存在着严重的繁殖障碍,问题在于圈舍规划不合理、营养水平不科学和饲养管理技术不成熟.     

维生素及类维生素对母猪繁殖性能的影响

当前非洲猪瘟给我国养猪业造成很大的损失,繁殖母猪的存栏量急剧减少,造成猪肉供需平衡失调。那么,如何提高母猪的繁殖性能,提供更多的商品猪,成为养殖场管理者关注的焦点。文章就提高母猪繁殖性能的关键环节和维生素及类维生素对母猪繁殖性能影响进行综述。     

母猪妊娠期背膘厚度对仔猪均匀度及繁殖性能的影响

为研究母猪不同阶段的背膘厚度与仔猪均匀度及部分繁殖性能之间的关系,试验采用二次项回归拟合的方法,对9458头纯种长白母猪和13317头纯种大白母猪的分娩、背膘厚度进行分析。结果表明:母猪背膘厚度处于合理的范围有利于提高其产仔性能和窝产仔均匀度,母猪过肥和过瘦均不利母猪繁殖效率的提高。该场的长白母猪配种当天、妊娠30日龄、妊娠80日龄和妊娠105日龄背膘厚度分别为14.0~18.0mm、15.0~20.0mm、16.0~20.0mm、17.0~20.0mm更有利于仔猪均匀度及母猪繁殖性能的提高;该场的大白母猪配种当天、妊娠30日龄、妊娠80日龄和妊娠105日龄背膘厚度分别为13.0~16.0mm、14.0~17.0mm、15.0~18.0mm、15.0~19.0mm更有利于仔猪均匀度及母猪繁殖性能的提高。妊娠期间的背膘厚度对仔猪均匀度及繁殖性能有一定影响,但母猪产仔性能最好的背膘状态并不是产仔均匀度最佳值。     

苜蓿素和胎次对母猪繁殖性能的影响

试验旨在研究苜蓿素和胎次对母猪繁殖性能的影响,选择90头母猪,头胎、二胎和三胎各30头,每个胎次分为2个处理,分别饲喂试验日粮(添加500 g/t苜蓿素)和基础日粮,共6个处理,每个处理15个重复,每个重复1头母猪,饲养试验时间为配种至产仔。结果表明,日粮添加苜蓿素能显著降低弱仔数(P<0.05),在延长母猪妊娠期的同时提高产仔均重(P<0.01),但有增加死胎的趋势;胎次能显著提高健仔数(P<0.05)和死胎数(P<0.01),影响产仔均重(P<0.05),有增加产仔数和降低弱仔数的趋势;苜蓿素和胎次在弱仔数上有交互作用(P<0.05)。结果提示,随母猪胎次的增加会同时提高健仔数和死胎数,日粮添加苜蓿素可以延长妊娠期,提高健仔重,降低弱仔数,提高繁殖性能。     

Effect of lasalocid on reproductive performance and subsequent lactation in the sow

The effect of lasalocid (140 mg . head-1 . d-1) on sow reproductive performance and subsequent piglet performance during lactation were examined in a trial that involved 114 sows. Treatments consisted of 1) control diet with no lasalocid during gestation and lactation; 2) lasalocid diet during gestation, control diet during lactation; 3) control diet during gestation and lasalocid diet during lactation; and 4) lasalocid diet during gestation and lactation. The addition of lasalocid either to gestation or lactation diets had no effect (P greater than .10) on sow weight gains or days to return to estrus postweaning. Milk protein percentages were similar (P greater than .10) for sows in all treatment groups for samples taken at 3, 7 and 14 d postfarrowing. Milk fat percentages were higher (P less than .05) in fall-bred sows at d 3 for Treatments 1, 3 and 4 than for Treatment 2 No significant differences (P less than .10) were observed for litter size at birth, 21 d postfarrowing or at weaning. Piglet weights at birth, 21 d and weaning were similar (P less than .10) among treatment groups. However, litter size and litter weight gains tended to be heavier at 21 d postfarrowing and at weaning for fall-bred sows fed lasalocid in either gestation and (or) lactation compared with those fed the control diet.     

Effect of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in primiparous swine on subsequent reproductive performance

A follow-up study was conducted to determine the effects of streptozotocin-diabetes during the first parity on subsequent reproductive performance of sows. Only in the first parity, two doses of streptozotocin (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) were administered to two groups of pregnant gilts at 80 d of gestation; a third group of gilts served as a control. Second-parity reproductive performance showed that gestation length, placental weight, mean birth weight of the litter, litter size and number of pigs born alive were not affected (P greater than .05) by maternal diabetes. Maternal serum glucose and fructose were greater (P less than .01) in high-dose sows than in the low-dose and the control dams. Serum free fatty acids (FFA) were higher (P less than .05) in high-dose dams than in control dams at d-1 and d 112 of gestation; no differences were observed between the high-dose and the low-dose during the same period. Liver and kidney weight, as well as DNA and RNA content, were greater (P less than .01) in pigs from high-dose dams than in those of the other treatments. Liver protein was elevated (P less than .01) in the progeny of high-dose dams. Dry matter and percent lipid were higher (P less than .05 and P less than .01, respectively), in pigs from high-dose sows than those from other treatment. Serum glucose, fructose and FFA of piglets were not affected by previous treatment of the dam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

母猪繁殖障碍疾病的诊断及防制

近几年来我国各地种猪场发展较快 ,但母猪繁殖障碍疾病困扰着各个种猪场。据调查母猪繁殖障碍疾病在各种猪场有不同程度存在。母猪繁殖障碍病因多而复杂 ,有非传染性因素 ,也有传染性的因素。本文主要叙述由病原微生物导致的母猪繁殖障碍疾病 ,也是当今重要致病因素。包括有猪伪狂犬病、猪细小病毒感染、母猪繁殖与呼吸综合征、猪乙型脑炎、猪瘟、猪布鲁氏菌病和猪衣原体病等。重点阐述各种疾病的流行特点、特征性的临床症状和病理变化 ,以及各种疾病的诊断方法 ,并且提出综合防制方法     

Effects of L‐citrulline supplementation on heat stress physiology,lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance of sows in summer

Lactating sows are susceptible to heat stress (HS). Part of the thermoregulatory response to HS is to increase peripheral blood flow, which is mediated in part by the vasodilator, nitric oxide (NO). Therefore, the aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of supplementation of L‐citrulline, a NO precursor, on symptoms of HS, lactation performance and subsequent reproductive performance of sows in summer. A total of 221 summer farrowing mixed parity sows were fed either a control diet or supplemented with 1% L‐citrulline upon entry to the farrowing house (6 ± 1.8 days for mean ± standard deviation [SD] before farrowing) until weaning (26 ± 1.5 days). The average daily minimum and maximum temperature in the farrowing house was 21.0 ± 1.88 and 29.2 ± 3.82°C (mean ± SD). Rectal temperature, respiration rate, and plasma and urinary nitrite and nitrate (NOx) of sows were measured on the 19th day post‐farrowing. Supplemental L‐citrulline in the diet did not affect the number of piglets born alive, feed intake of sows, body weight or backfat thickness of sows at weaning, or litter weight gain. L‐citrulline tended to reduce piglet pre‐weaning mortality rate from 18.6% to 15.6% (p = 0.058). L‐citrulline reduced the respiration rate of sows compared to the control diet at 17:00 hr (Time × Diet, p < 0.001); however, rectal temperature was not affected. L‐citrulline tended to increase urinary NOx concentrations (127 vs. 224 µM, p = 0.057) but not plasma NOx concentrations. L‐citrulline did not affect farrowing rate or number of piglets born alive in the subsequent parity. In conclusion, L‐citrulline supplementation reduced respiration rate of lactating sows and reduced piglet pre‐weaning mortality rate in summer. Whether the effects were due to a NO‐dependent mechanism requires further validation.     

不同苜蓿草粉水平对初产母猪生产和繁殖性能的影响

为了探讨初产母猪的后备期、妊娠期饲粮中不同比例的苜蓿草粉,对其生长性能和繁殖性能的影响,试验选用640头日龄110 d、体重45 kg左右的健康后备母猪(长×大),采用单因子完全随机设计,分为4个处理,分别为:对照组(0%草粉组)、5%草粉组、10%草粉组、15%草粉组,每个处理4个重复,每个重复40头猪。妊娠期选取增重和发情较好的5%草粉组后备期母猪,发情配种后分为对照Ⅰ组(0%草粉组)、10%草粉组、15%草粉组、20%草粉组,后备期对照组母猪继续作为妊娠期的对照组,共5个处理,每个处理4个重复,每个重复3头猪。结果表明:1)在后备期45~70 kg阶段,试验组的采食量均低于对照组,随着苜蓿草粉用量的增加,采食量依次下降;5%草粉组的日增重显著高于、料重比显著低于10%和15%草粉组(P<0.05),但与对照组无显著差异;3个试验组中,只有5%草粉组的增重成本低于对照组,且使用苜蓿草粉愈多,成本愈高。在后备期70~130 kg阶段,无论是采食量还是日增重,3个试验组均低于对照组,随着草粉用量增加,采食量和日增重均依次下降,其中10%和15%草粉组显著低于对照组(P<0.05),但与5%草粉组差异不显著;3个试验组的料重比和增重成本均高于对照组,且有随着苜蓿草粉用量增加而依次增加的趋势,其中15%草粉组显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。添加5%的苜蓿草粉对母猪发情率有改善,但各组之间差异不显著。2)在妊娠期阶段,草粉组的背膘增厚显著高于对照组和对照Ⅰ组(P<0.05);对照Ⅰ组和10%、15%、20%苜蓿草粉组的初生活仔率均显著高于对照组,初生窝重分别比对照组提高了14.88%、6.89%、12.31%、24.48%,弱仔率分别降低了53.44%、36.39%、87.37%、62.78%,尽管均未达到显著差异程度,但说明后备期饲粮中使用苜蓿草粉对妊娠期母猪产仔数及仔猪健康有良好的后续效应,后备期用5%苜蓿草粉妊娠期使用20%苜蓿草粉效果最佳。综合得出,后备期添加5%的苜蓿草粉不会影响后备母猪生长但会提高发情率,后备期添加5%草粉妊娠期不添加时,母猪的繁殖效果也得到改善;妊娠期添加20%的苜蓿草粉产活仔率和初生窝重最佳。     

Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance during the first two parities. Gilts were randomly allocated to receive three fibrous diets from days 1-90 of gestation, including low fibre [low fiber (LF), 10.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), n=132], middle fibre [middle fiber (MF), 15.8% NDF, n=132] and high fibre diet (HF, 20.8% NDF, n=135), until completion of the second parity. Response criteria included backfat measurements, litter size and pig weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation, weaning-oestrus-interval, oestrus rate, sow farrowing and culling rate, uniformity of newborns and relative organ weights. The results showed sows fed LF diet in parity 1 gained more backfat (p<0.05) during gestation but lost more (p<0.05) during lactation than sows fed HF diet. Furthermore, sows fed LF diet farrowed more pigs (+0.7-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and pigs born alive (+1.0 pigs, p<0.05) relative to sows fed HF diet. Likewise, sows fed LF and MF diets had greater litter weights at parturition (both p=0.06) and day 22 after lactation (both p<0.05). In parity 2, yet, it was MF diet to increase both total pigs born and pigs born alive (+0.9-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and litter weight (p=0.05) relative to other diets. After 22 d of lactation, intriguingly, sows fed HF diet had most pigs alive (p<0.01-0.07) and heavier litter weight (p=0.07 or 0.2). Feeding HF diet also increased internal organs weight of newborns (p<0.05). Collectively, feeding LF and MF diets had beneficial effects on litter weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation in parity 1, and feeding MF diet until parity 2 was able to improve litter size and weight at parturition, but this positive effect disappeared after 22 days of lactation, instead feeding HF diet showed the optimal litter performance.