• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.139-146
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the reproductive and weaned performances in sow farms, which located in Boryeong city, Chungnam. Data surveyed a total of 10,394 litters of sow recorded from April, 2007 to March, 2008 were collected and analyzed. The results obtained were as follows; 1. The average of number of sow and farrowing rate were 314.10 sows and 78.77%, respectively. And then, there was not significant difference among seasons in number of sows, but significant difference among season was found in farrowing rate (p<0.05). 2. The average of litter size at farrowing and at initial sucking were 11.04 and 10.22 pigs, respectively. The significant differences were not all found in litter size among seasons. 3. The number of pigs, age and growth rate at weaning were 9.23 pigs, 25.77 days and 91.48%, respectively. The significant differences among seasons were not found in number of pigs and age at weaning. However, there was significant difference in growth rate at weaning (P<0.05). 4. The average of farrowing rate of sows per year, pigs from sow per year (PSY), and body weight at marketing were 2.25 times, 20.75 pigs, and 110.46 kg, respectively. The significant differences among seasons were not found in farrowing rate per year and weight at marketing, but that was found only in PSY (p<0.05), respectively.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of extenders such as Beltsville thawing solution(BTS), Modena and Androhep, preservation temperature and period of liquid boar semen on semen characteristics and reproductive performance. Boars were raised at Swine Artificial Insemination Center in National Livestock Research Institute, Sunghwan, Chungnam, Korea. This experiment was carried out from 1995 to 2000. The results obtained were summarized as follows. 1. Sperm motility in the samples with Androhep and BTS reduced from day 5 and in the samples with Modena reduced from day 3 of storage. pH or 3 extenders varied from 6.24 to 7.04 during day 1 to 5 of storage. Farrowing rate of sows inseminated with liquid boar semen offended with BTs, Modena and Androhep extenders did not show any differences until day f after semen collection. Sows inseminated with Androhep extender had better farrowing rates (P＜0.05) than those with Modena extender at day 1 or 5 after semen collection, but farrowing rates after AI using BTS did not differ compared to those Androhep and Modena. Litter size did not show any differences among the three extenders, but Androhep had the decreased litter size from day i of storage. 2. Motility and normal acrosome of the sperm preserved at 5$^{\circ}C$ did not show any differences until day 4 of storage, but those at 17$^{\circ}C$ changed from day 3 and 4, respectively. Farrowing rate of sows artificially inseminated with liquid boa. semen preserved at 17$^{\circ}C$ had higher, than at 5$^{\circ}C$ (p＜0.05), but there was no significant differences in litter size. Farrowing rates and litter size were decreased from day 2 and day 3 of storage at 17$^{\circ}C$, respectively. Farrowing rate of sows inseminated with the preserved semen at 5$^{\circ}C$ did not changed until day 4, but the litter size at 5$^{\circ}C$ was lower than that at 17$^{\circ}C$.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 1987

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of imported pellet frozen semen on sperm motility and NAR acrosomes after thawing, and the farrowing rates, litter sizes and preweaning body weights after artificial insemination. A total of 28 sows of Landrace, Large White and Duroc were inseminated at the Chungnam Provincial Animal Breeding Station. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Landrace andLarge White had higher sperm motility than Duroc by about 20% and had higher NAR acrosomes by about 10%. 2. The farrowing rates of Landrace, Large White and Duroc were 63.6, 55.6 adn 50.0%, respectively. The number of pigs born alive per litter were larger in Landrace and Large White as compared with Duroc (p<.01). 3. Duroc had the highest mean pig weight at birth, followed by Landrace and Large White (p<.01). The mean pig weights at 21 days and 56 days had no significant differences between the breeds.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.81-83
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• 1996

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of sperm concentration of 5ml maxi-straw on farrowing rate and number of pigs born alive per litter in deep frozen boar semen. We did not find out the effect of sperm concentration on post-thaw sperm motility and NAR acrosome. However, farrowing rate and number of pigs born alive per litter of 7. 5 x 10˚ /5ml and 10.0 x 10˚ /5m1 sperm concentrations were higher than those of 5. 0 /10˚ /5ml sperm concentration.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.187-190
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• 2009

Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 17 of 135 swine lagoon samples from five farms by 18S ribosomal DNA locus and PCR. Seventeen positive samples identified were included two distinctive genotypes C. suis and Cryptosporidium sp. based on a small-subunit rRNA gene-based PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected out of farrowing, farrowing and nursery (mix), and finishing. Prevalence rate was 12.6% with infection rates between 3.7 and 18.5%. We concluded that Cryptosporidium oocysts can persist in treated lagoon and potentially contaminate surface water through improper discharge. This study was undertaken for the evaluation of the infection status of the genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. in swine lagoon.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.902-906
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• 2017

Objective: This study was conducted to characterize the behaviors and the body weight of suckling piglets in different social environments. Methods: Two groups of sows and suckling piglets housed either in individual farrowing crates in separate pens ($1.8{\times}2.4m$, the control group) or in groups of three sows with their piglets in farrowing crates in a large common enclosure ($5.4{\times}2.2m$, the treatment group) were observed with the aid of video technology for 9 consecutive hours on days 1, 2, and 3, after mixing. Results: Suckling, agonistic, and elimination behaviors of suckling piglets were significantly higher in the control group than in the treatment group. Inactive behavior was higher in the treatment group than in the control group. Most of the effects of the social environment on the suckling piglets seem to be the result of large reductions in behaviors and body weight for piglets switching from high activity to low activity. Moreover, suckling behavior and birth body weight were highly correlated with body weight at the end of the test. Conclusion: The social environment that resulted from mixing, thus, had significant effects on the behavior and body weight of suckling piglets, and behavioral characteristics, therefore, should be considered when making improvements to the husbandry and care methods used in swine production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.742-747
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• 2019

Objective: A concentration of airborne bacteria generated from swine houses is recognized to be relatively higher than other work places and it is essential to optimally manage it to prevent farmers' respiratory diseases. This study was conducted to assess the distribution characteristics of airborne bacteria in swine houses located at South Korea. Methods: A total 27 pig buildings of the enclosed type operated with mechanical ventilation system by a side wall fan and deep-pit manure system with slats were surveyed. Air samples were collected at 1.0 m above the middle floor in pig housing room. A six-stage viable particulate cascade impactor was used to identify the distribution of the sizes of particles in diameter. Results: Seasonal mean levels of airborne bacteria in the housing rooms of gestation/farrowing pigs, nursery pigs and growing/fattening pigs were 3,428(${\pm}1,244$) colony forming unit $(cfu)/m^3$, $8,325({\pm}3,209)cfu/m$, and $13,254({\pm}6,108)cfu/m^3$ for spring; $9,824({\pm}2,157)cfu/m^3$, $18,254({\pm}5,166)cfu/m^3$, and $24,088({\pm}9,274)cfu/m^3$ for summer; $1,707({\pm}957)cfu/m^3$, $4,258({\pm}1,438)cfu/m^3$, and $8,254({\pm}2,416)cfu/m^3$ for autumn; and $2,322({\pm}1,352)cfu/m^3$, $6,124({\pm}1,527)cfu/m^3$ and $12,470({\pm}4,869)cfu/m^3$ for winter, respectively. Conclusion: Concentrations of airborne bacteria according to pig housing type were highest in growing/fattening housing room followed by nursery housing room and gestation/farrowing housing room. In terms of seasonal aspect, the pig building showed the highest levels of airborne bacteria in summer followed by spring, winter and autumn. The respirable airborne bacteria which are ranged between 0.6 and $4.7{\mu}m$ accounted for approximately 60% compared to total airborne bacteria regardless of pig housing type.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.285-293
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to verify the best mating age of gilts at the first parity. Gilts (n = 86) were divided into nine groups in a factorial arrangement with three Ages (AG1, ${\leq}220d$; AG2, 220 to 240 d; AG3, $240{\leq}d$), and three weights (WT1 ${\leq}140kg$; WT2, 140 to 149 kg; WT3, $150{\leq}kg$). A higher body weight gain in AG2 sows during gestation. Sows in AG2 group showed a higher body weight gain at first parity and backfat gain in the parity 2 and 3 during gestation. A greater insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was observed in AG1 sows compared with AG3 sows at weaning in the second parity. Sows in WT1 group showed a significant positive effect on the plasma IGF-1 at breeding and weaning time in parity 2. Sows in AG3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parity 1, and at farrowing in parity 2. Sows in WT3 group showed a higher plasma leptin at breeding, farrowing, and weaning in the parities 1 and 2. Considering the insignificant longevity results, the most efficient time for gilts insemination can be at 220 d when their body weight is 140 kg or lower.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

As a result of intensive breeding, litter size has considerably increased in pig production over the last three decades. This has resulted in an increase in farrowing complications. Prolonged farrowing will shorten the window for suckling colostrum and reduce the chances for high-quality colostrum intake. Studies also agree that increasing litter sizes concomitantly resulted in decreased piglet birth weight and increased within-litter birth weight variations. Birth weight, however, is one of the critical factors affecting the prognosis of colostrum intake, and piglet growth, welfare, and survival. Litters of uneven birth weight distribution will suffer and lead to increased piglet mortality before weaning. The proper management is key to handle the situation. Feeding strategies before farrowing, management routines during parturition (e.g., drying and moving piglets to the udder and cross-fostering) and feeding an energy source to piglets after birth may be beneficial management tools with large litters. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-driven recovery from energy losses during lactation appears critical for supporting follicle development, the viability of oocytes and embryos, and, eventually, litter uniformity. This paper explores certain management routines for neonatal piglets that can lead to the optimization of their colostrum intake and thereby their survival in large litters. In addition, this paper reviews the evidence concerning nutritional factors, particularly lactation feeding that may reduce the loss of sow body reserves, affecting the growth of the next oocyte generation. In conclusion, decreasing birth weight and compromised immunity are subjects warranting investigation in the search for novel management tools. Furthermore, to increase litter uniformity, more focus should be placed on nutritional factors that affect IGF-1-driven follicle development before ovulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1454-1461
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• 2022

Palm kernel expeller (PKE), a by-product of palm oil extraction, contains higher amounts of fiber than corn and soybean meal, but offers low energy density, protein value, and amino acid (AA) composition, limiting its use for swine. Recently however, it was reported that dietary fiber has a positive effect on the gut microbiota of the host, and therefore it is necessary to study the effect of PKE feeding on the intestinal microbiota of swine. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with PKE in lactation diets on the gut microbiota composition of lactating sows and their litters. A total of 12 sows were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups in a completely randomized design. The treatments were a diet based on corn-soybean meal (CON) and CON supplemented with 20% of PKE. Sow and piglet fecal samples were collected before farrowing, on days 7 and 28 (weaning) after farrowing, and on days 7 and 28 (weaning) after farrowing, respectively, to verify gut microbiota composition by pyrosequencing analysis. The beta-diversity result showed a significant difference only in weaning-stage piglets, but dietary PKE altered the gut microbiota in sows by increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus compared with CON. In piglets, dietary PKE decreased the abundance of opportunistic pathogen Proteus and increased the abundance of potentially beneficial bacteria, such as Prevotellaceae and Prevotella. Our results can be helpful in developing feeding strategies and support the beneficial effects of dietary PKE to improve the gut health of animals.