Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets
Newborn piglets have a high incidence of preweaning mortality that is not only associated with low birth weights but also with the presence of intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) piglets. Such IUGR piglets are commonly seen in litters from hyperprolific sows as a result of insufficient placental...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Animal |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731121001932 |
| _version_ | 1811245165152567296 |
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| author | C. Farmer S.A. Edwards |
| author_facet | C. Farmer S.A. Edwards |
| author_sort | C. Farmer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Newborn piglets have a high incidence of preweaning mortality that is not only associated with low birth weights but also with the presence of intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) piglets. Such IUGR piglets are commonly seen in litters from hyperprolific sows as a result of insufficient placental transfer of nutrients. Nutritional strategies can be used prior to and during gestation to enhance foetal development and can also be implemented in the transition period to reduce the duration of farrowing and increase colostrum yield. Recent findings showed that the energy status of sows at the onset of farrowing is crucial to diminish stillbirth rate. Newborn piglets often fail to consume enough colostrum to promote thermostability and subsequent growth, and this is particularly problematic in very large litters when there are fewer available teats than the number of suckling piglets. One injection of 75 IU of oxytocin approximately 14 h after farrowing can prolong the colostral phase, hence increasing the supply of immunoglobulins to piglets. Nevertheless, assistance must be provided to piglets after birth in order to increase their chance of survival. Various approaches can be used, such as: (1) optimising the farrowing environment, (2) supervising farrowing and assisting newborn piglets, (3) using cross-fostering techniques, (4) providing nurse sows, and 5) providing artificial milk. Although research advances have been made in developing feeding and management strategies for sows that increase performance of their newborn piglets, much work still remains to be done to ensure that maximal outcomes are achieved. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T14:37:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6b2adb60b39f4f38bc0616b0a3c5d818 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1751-7311 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T14:37:12Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animal |
| spelling | doaj.art-6b2adb60b39f4f38bc0616b0a3c5d8182022-12-22T03:29:04ZengElsevierAnimal1751-73112022-06-0116100350Review: Improving the performance of neonatal pigletsC. Farmer0S.A. Edwards1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Sherbrooke R & D Centre, 2000 College St., Sherbrooke, QC J1M 0C8, Canada; Corresponding author.Newcastle University, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture Building, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKNewborn piglets have a high incidence of preweaning mortality that is not only associated with low birth weights but also with the presence of intra-uterine growth-restricted (IUGR) piglets. Such IUGR piglets are commonly seen in litters from hyperprolific sows as a result of insufficient placental transfer of nutrients. Nutritional strategies can be used prior to and during gestation to enhance foetal development and can also be implemented in the transition period to reduce the duration of farrowing and increase colostrum yield. Recent findings showed that the energy status of sows at the onset of farrowing is crucial to diminish stillbirth rate. Newborn piglets often fail to consume enough colostrum to promote thermostability and subsequent growth, and this is particularly problematic in very large litters when there are fewer available teats than the number of suckling piglets. One injection of 75 IU of oxytocin approximately 14 h after farrowing can prolong the colostral phase, hence increasing the supply of immunoglobulins to piglets. Nevertheless, assistance must be provided to piglets after birth in order to increase their chance of survival. Various approaches can be used, such as: (1) optimising the farrowing environment, (2) supervising farrowing and assisting newborn piglets, (3) using cross-fostering techniques, (4) providing nurse sows, and 5) providing artificial milk. Although research advances have been made in developing feeding and management strategies for sows that increase performance of their newborn piglets, much work still remains to be done to ensure that maximal outcomes are achieved.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731121001932GestationLactationManagementMortalitySow |
| spellingShingle | C. Farmer S.A. Edwards Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets Animal Gestation Lactation Management Mortality Sow |
| title | Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| title_full | Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| title_fullStr | Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| title_short | Review: Improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| title_sort | review improving the performance of neonatal piglets |
| topic | Gestation Lactation Management Mortality Sow |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1751731121001932 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT cfarmer reviewimprovingtheperformanceofneonatalpiglets AT saedwards reviewimprovingtheperformanceofneonatalpiglets |