The cycle index,an alternative to the farrowing index converted to a yearly basis

Summary

The farrowing index is an important parameter for the evaluation of sow productivity. The value of the farrowing index calculated over a relatively short period of time and converted to a yearly basis, depends largely on the number of litters produced during this period. Random differences in the numbers of litters produced in subsequent periods will strongly influence the farrowing indices of these periods.

The cycle index is designed to obtain a more valuable and consistent parameter. The cycle index is based on reproductive data of sows that farrowed during a certain period and the number of production days lost because of culling of sows during that period.     

Effects of late introduction of sows to two farrowing environments on the progress of farrowing and maternal behavior

To evaluate the effect of late introduction to farrowing pens on the progress of farrowing and maternal behavior, 20 primiparous and 20 multiparous sows were allocated randomly to 1 of 2 treatments: 1) early introduction to pen (EP, n = 20) and 2) late introduction to pen (LP, n = 20). To evaluate the difference between loose-housed sows and crated sows when introduced late to the farrowing environment, a third treatment was included: late introduction to farrowing crate (LC, n = 20). Sow behavior and piglet birth intervals were recorded using video recordings from 16 h before the birth of the first piglet (BFP) until 48 h after BFP. Behavioral data were analyzed using PROC MIXED in SAS and the percentage of stillborn piglets and the response of the sow to piglet scream were analyzed using PROC GENMOD in SAS. Before farrowing (16 to 3 h before BFP), sows introduced late to pens had more postural changes per hour than sows introduced early to pens (LP = 12.7, EP = 8.9; P = 0.04), whereas there were no differences between sows introduced late to crates and sows introduced late to pens (LC = 14.2, LP = 12.7; P = 0.53). Interbirth interval (P = 0.04), variation in the interbirth interval (P = 0.01), and percentage of stillborn piglets (P = 0.003) were affected by an interaction between parity and treatment. In multiparous sows there were no differences between treatments (P > 0.18) either in the progress of farrowing or in the percentage of stillborn piglets. For primiparous sows, there were no differences (P > 0.22) between sows that were introduced late to pens and sows that were introduced early to pens. Primiparous sows that were introduced late to crates compared with pens had longer interbirth intervals (LC = 29 +/- 4.9 min, LP = 16 +/- 2.9 min; P = 0.02), a greater variation of these intervals (LC = 35 +/- 8.3 min, LP = 16 +/- 3.6 min; P = 0.006), and a greater percentage of stillborn piglets (LC = 21%; 95% confidence interval ranging 14 to 30%, LP = 5%; 95% confidence interval ranging from 2 to 12%; P = 0.004). After farrowing, neither postural changes, time spent in lateral lying, number of near-crushing situations, nor the response to piglet scream test were affected by treatment (P > 0.09). When sows and gilts were introduced late to farrowing pens, neither progress of farrowing nor maternal behavior of importance for piglet crushing was influenced. However, crating primiparous sows that were introduced late to the farrowing environment compared with pen housing had detrimental effects on the progress of farrowing and the percentage of stillborn piglets.     

The efficacy of a commercial ELISA as an alternative to virus neutralisation test for the detection of antibodies to EAV

Infection with equine arteritis virus is a notifiable disease with sporadic occurrence in the UK. As stallions may harbour the virus after infection, horses are screened for exposure by serological testing prior to breeding. The virus neutralisation test is considered the 'gold standard' serological screening test, but it is time-consuming and labour intensive; consequently there is a move towards more rapid screening methodology. In this study, a commercially available EVA antibody ELISA is assessed. The ELISA performed poorly with a specificity [corrected] of 26% and a sensitivity [corrected] of 96% in the samples analysed. It was concluded that this ELISA would be of little value for reducing sample turnaround time. The study emphasises the need for in-house validation of commercially available kits.     

Ethological basis for the development of alternative husbandry systems]

Ethological studies in semi-natural enclosures consistently show that the species-specific behaviour of our farm animal species has hardly been changed by domestication. However, in intensive husbandry systems the evolutionary bases of behaviour are neglected. The functions of behaviour are no longer achieved by the animal's species-specific behaviour, but by technical solutions. In contrast, alternative husbandry systems provide the animal an environment that releases and structures its species-specific behaviour. A combined husbandry system for breeding sows and fattening pigs in an enriched pen is described. Although the structures of the pen and the space available differ much from a semi-natural environment, the pigs show their normal species-specific behaviour. This is because the behavioural mechanisms do not respond differently to natural and artificial stimuli in their environment.     

Stillbirth in the pig in relation to genetic merit for farrowing survival

The objectives of this study were to analyze the incidence of different categories of stillborn piglets in relation to genetic merit for farrowing survival of sows and litters and to analyze relationships of total number of piglets born per litter, average BW of the litter, and within-litter variation in BW with genetic merit for farrowing survival of sows and litters. Records of 336 purebred litters, produced by 307 first-to eighth-parity sows, were collected on a nucleus farm in Brouennes, France. Breeding values for farrowing survival were estimated for sows (EBVfs_maternal) and litters (EBVfs_direct) using a large data set from which information obtained in the current study was excluded. For each litter, BW, number of stillborn piglets (classified as nonfresh stillborn, prepartum stillborn, intrapartum stillborn, and postpartum stillborn), and number of live-born piglets were recorded. Birth weights of stillborn piglets were lower than BW of live-born piglets (P < 0.0001), except for prepartum stillbirths. The total number of stillborn piglets per litter and the number of stillborn piglets in each category decreased with increasing EBVfs_maternal (P < 0.01). An increase in EBVfs_direct was also associated with a decrease in the total number of stillborn piglets per litter (P < 0.01). This decrease was due to a decrease in the number of nonfresh, prepartum, and postpartum stillborn piglets but not to a decrease in the number of intrapartum stillborn piglets. Probabilities of stillbirth in relation to EBVfs_maternal were higher than probabilities of stillbirth in relation to EBVfs_direct. Total number of piglets born decreased with increasing EBVfs_direct (P = 0.0003), but was not related to EBVfs_maternal. Average BW of the litter (P < 0.0001) and within-litter variation in BW (P = 0.05) decreased with increasing EBVfs_maternal but were not related to EBVfs_direct. Selection for the maternal genetic component of farrowing survival seems a better strategy than selection for the direct genetic component. Selection for the maternal genetic component of farrowing survival reduces stillbirth in all categories and does not affect litter size.     

内蒙古草原区牧户草畜平衡决策的年型依据

降水是影响内蒙古草原牧区草原生产力和草地载畜率的关键自然因子,牧户作为畜牧业生产的直接决策主体,对降水年型的判断是其草畜平衡决策的重要前提。本研究以内蒙古草甸草原、典型草原和荒漠草原的典型县(旗)为研究区域,以20世纪80年代以来的气象数据、统计资料等为基础资料,分析了1980-2015年牧户自我降水年型判断行为及特征,及牧户依据该自我判断年型进行的草畜平衡决策。结果表明,草甸草原与荒漠草原中下年型出现次数最多,典型草原则以平年出现次数最多,但从整体上看,3个类型区丰水年型均比欠水年型出现频率略高;牧户的降水年型判断与实际降水年型结果差异明显,前者较为稳定而后者则变化较为频繁;1980-1995年,牲畜承包户的年型判断较为稳定和一致,草甸草原和荒漠草原自始至终分别是欠水年和中下年为依据,典型草原则以欠水年为主导;1996年以后牲畜、草地陆续承包到户后,牧户草畜平衡年型判断及依据开始出现3~5年的周期性变化,而在降水明显波动年份,牧户年型判断将出现变化和调整,以上研究说明牧户的降水年型判断有一套自己的认知,并非一成不变,而是根据自然、社会、经济等因素变化进行调整,最终形成牧户所认知的年型,并以此作为草畜平衡决策的重要自然依据。     

Obstetric and fetal outcomes in dystocic and eutocic sows to an injection of exogenous oxytocin during farrowing

Sixty hybrid Yorkshire-Landrace penned sows, 30 with eutocic farrowing and 30 experiencing a dystocic parturition, were studied to evaluate the obstetric and neonatal outcomes to low doses of oxytocin administered at advanced stages of parturition. Animals in each group were randomly subdivided into 2 subgroups: 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received oxytocin 0.083 IU/kg (equivalent to 1 IU/12 kg body weight), administered intramuscularly after the delivery of the 5th piglet; the other 15 eutocic and 15 dystocic sows received saline solution intramuscularly at the same time. Oxytocin decreased the number of intrapartum deaths by approximately 50% (P = 0.002). No piglet was born dead from the saline- and oxytocin-treated eutocic sows. The highest viability score was observed among piglets born to eutocic sows treated with oxytocin. In summary, this dose schedule would help to decrease the number of stillbirths in both eutocic and dystocic farrowing sows.     

Hemisection of a molar tooth in a dog: an alternative to total extraction.

Hemisection is a viable option to complete extraction in those situations where a portion of a tooth can still perform in health and function after the diseased portion has been removed. A case report is presented describing the hemisection of a mandibular first molar in a dog. Indications and contraindications for the procedure are outlined.     

Reproductive efficiency and incidence of MMA after controlled farrowing using a prostaglandin analogue, cloprostenol

In a herd of sows 106 sows having 4.3 litters on aver., were over a period of 10 weeks treated on Thursdays with 0.175 mg of cloprostenol on the 111th to 114th day of gestation; 93--95% of the sows treated on the 112th and 113th day farrowed within 33 hours after treatment, 73% after treatment on the 111th day (Table I); the mean period of gestation after treatment was 113.4 +/- 0.9 days. 8 sows that only farrowed 2--5 days after the treatment, had on 21 previous farrowings proved to have significantly longer mean periods of gestation, 115.6 days, than the 112 sows in the control group, having 3.6 litters on average, that farrowed in the same period and section of the piggery as the sows treated with cloprostenol. In total 32 weekend-farrowings occurred in the observation period including 7 farrowings after a period of gestation of 110--113 days, 6 cases of unsuccessfully induced parturition and 19 farrowings on the 114th to 119th day that could have been programmed to occur on Fridays; the number of weekend-farrowings, which for this herd in connection with the weaning procedure normally accounted for about 40--45% of farrowings, could thus be reduced to 7% of farrowings (Table II). Cloprostenol treatment on the 111th day resulting in farrowing on the 112th day leads to a significantly higher rate of piglet mortality after 3 weeks compared with the results after farrowing for control sows that farrowed on the 112th day (Table III); this category of control sows had on previous farrowings proved to have a significantly shorter mean period of gestation, 112.7 days, than that of the sows in the cloprostenol group farrowing on the 112th day which had been 114.3 days on previous farrowings. Farrowing and weaning results after induced parturition resulting in farrowing on the 113th to 115th day showed no significant differences from the results for control sows farrowing spontaneously on the 112th to 115th day of gestation. The incidence of MMA (Table II) was not influenced by the cloprostenol treatment, nor by the number of litters, the length of the period of gestation, or by the piling of farrowings on Fridays.     

An exploratory study on the effects of a straw dispenser in farrowing crates

The effect of a straw dispenser in farrowing crates was investigated to determine the extent to which the provision of small quantities of straw has an influence on both sows and piglets. Sows and suckling piglets are often housed in barren environments with limited opportunities to show behavior they are highly motivated to perform. Enriching the environment might be a solution; for example, by providing materials that can be manipulated. In this study, 20 sows received a straw dispenser with chopped straw (treatment group) and 20 other sows did not receive any enrichment (control group). The treatment group was split up in 2: in treatment group A, the straw dispenser was placed in front of the sow, above the feed trough; and in treatment group B, the straw dispenser was placed next to the sow. Sows from the treatment groups received the straw dispenser from arrival in the farrowing crate until weaning. The total straw use within the treatment group was very variable but did not differ before and after farrowing. Sows took on average 53.0 g (±8.85) straw from the straw dispenser during the whole period in the farrowing crate. The frequency of undesirable and stereotypical behavior performed by the sows did not differ between treatment and control groups, and the same is seen with nest-building behavior before farrowing. By positioning the dispenser in front of the sow, the frequency of lateral lying increased, which means the udder was exposed more toward the piglets. This was reflected in the higher frequency of udder activity, performed by piglets from this treatment group. By positioning the dispenser next to the sow, sows showed more ventral lying behavior, because of disturbance of lying behavior by piglets. Piglets from this treatment group also showed less udder activity and possibly because of this, more pain-related behavior. These piglets performed more playing behavior in the third week of life compared with other groups, but it cannot be stated with certainty that this is a positive effect. A lower weight gain and weaning weight were seen in piglets within treatment group B. Possible explanations are the higher level of activity among these piglets as the straw dispenser was positioned within their reach or decreased milk consumption because of decreased udder activity and increased ventral lying by the sows. It can be concluded that the straw dispenser has positive effects on the behavior and welfare of sows and piglets, but positioning the straw dispenser in reach of both sow and piglets is not preferred as it is associated with undesirable effects on behavior such as ventral lying in sows and pain-related behaviors in piglets.     

口蹄疫灭活疫苗效力检验替代方法研究进展

目前,口蹄疫灭活疫苗的效力检验方法是采用本动物进行免疫攻毒试验,此方法需要大量的非免疫本动物,存在着动物来源困难,试验成本高、周期长等问题。建立与本动物具有一定统计学关系的口蹄疫灭活疫苗效力检验的本动物替代方法是国内外亟待解决的一个问题。过去数十年中,口蹄疫灭活疫苗结合其他疫苗的研究情况,主要进行了以下几种替代方法的研究:试验动物替代法、血清学替代法、疫苗抗原定量法。但到现阶段仍没有一个像本动物攻毒试验那样确定统一的标准替代方法。为了更深入的了解口蹄疫灭活疫苗效力替代方法的研究现状以及今后的发展方向,本文结合传统口蹄疫灭活疫苗效力检测方法,针对以上几种替代方法的研究进展展开探讨。