• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제62권2호
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• pp.218-226
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• 2020

The present study investigated the effects of loose farrowing type during gestation and after farrowing on reproductive performance and of lactating sows. A total of 22 primiparous sows (Landrace; average initial body weights [BW], 228.54 ± 12.79 kg) were allotted to one of two treatments on the basis of body weight. Sows were divided into two experimental groups, conventional farrowing crates (CON), and loosed-farrowing pens (LFP). The experiment duration was around 38 days ranging from 10 days before parturition to 28 days after parturition. Gestating sows at the age of 105 d were placed in gestational stalls (group housing). All the sows were fed a common diet according to the National Research Council requirements for lactation. Cross-fostering was performed within 1 day of parturition. From 1 day after weaning, estrus detection was performed twice-daily (0900 and 1730 h) for 10 min by boar exposure. There were significant effects of LFP housing type on the farrowing duration, and farrowing interval. At the farrowing time, none of the litter parameters including total born, stillborn, mummy, born alive piglets and total litter weight and piglet weight were affected. There were no effects of housing type on the mortality of piglets at d 1, 3, 7, 21, and 28. In conclusion, the result of this study showed that there is no performance difference between the crated or LFP sows, which indicate that the LFP housing has the potential to be used as an alternative to the crated house without any detrimental effects in reproduction performance of lactating sows.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제57권12호
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• pp.45.1-45.5
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• 2015

Background: Physical and chemical properties of feedstuffs can be changed by feed processing. Moreover, through various mechanisms, feed processing can affect growth performance and feed efficiency of swine, nutrition value of the feed. Weaning-to service-intervals (WSI), subsequent farrowing rates, and total-born litter sizes were determined by feed intake and metabolic state during lactation. Methods: A total of 20 sows (Landrace ${\times}$ Yorkshire) with an average body weight (BW) of 266.1 kg 4 d before farrowing were used to determine the effect of feed processing on the performance of lactating sows and their offspring. The following two dietary treatments were used: 1) Crumble diet (C); and 2) Mash diet (M). Ten replications were used for each treatment. Back fat thickness of sows was measured 6 cm off the midline at the 10th rib using a real-time ultrasound instrument at 4 d before farrowing, 1 d after farrowing, and during weaning. Sow BW were also checked at 4 d before farrowing, 1 d after farrowing, and during weaning. Fecal score of sows were assessed on d 14. Fecal score of piglets were observed on d 7, 15, and 24. Data were analyzed using t-test procedure of SAS (2014) with sow as experimental unit. Results: No significant (p > 0.05) difference was observed in the reproduction performance of sows between the two treatments. In addition, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the growth performance of piglets between the two treatments. Fecal score of sows or piglets showed no significant (p > 0.05) difference either. Conclusions: In conclusion, different feed processing (mash or crumble) did not make any significant difference on the performance of lactation sow or their piglets.

• 한국축산시설환경학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.157-164
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• 2012

동물복지관점에서 많은 비난을 받아왔던 관행적 분만틀의 사용을 배제하고 넓은 분만시설의 면적의 제공이 모돈의 생산성 및 자돈의 성장능력에 미치는 영향을 좁은 분만시설로서 분만틀을 이용하여 비교하였다. 1. 좁은 분만시설과 넓은 분만시설에서 모돈의 사료섭취량, 등지방 두께, 그리고 체평점에는 아무런 차이가 없었다. 하지만 이유시와 분만시 등지방 두께와 체평점의 차이는 넓은 분만시설에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 또한 모돈의 재귀발정일도 좁은 분만시설보다 넓은 분만시설에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 2. 모돈의 분만능력은 분만시설의 면적에 의한 영향은 없었다. 하지만 넓은 분만시설 에서 분만전 모돈의 행동 자유가 분만시 신생자돈의 생존율에 영향하는 것으로 나타났다. 3. 분만시설 면적에 따른 차이는 이유자돈수, 자돈의 증체량에는 아무런 영향이 없었으나 넓은 분만시설에서 자돈의 폐사율이 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과로부터, 모돈의 복지를 위해 넓은 분만시설은 모돈의 번식능력에는 효과가 있었으나 자돈의 폐사율 증가라는 생산성의 관점에서는 다소 불리한 것으로 판단되며 또한 자돈의 폐사율 증가에 대한 원인을 모돈과 자돈의 행동학적 관점에서 면밀히 연구할 필요가 있을 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제22권9호
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• pp.1328-1333
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• 2009

To evaluate different housing systems, 80 gilts were randomly allocated at puberty to four treatments: i) sow stall in gestation followed by farrowing crate (SC), ii) group housing with individual feeding in gestation followed by farrowing crate (GC), iii) ESF (Electronic Sow Feeding) system in gestation followed by farrowing crate (EC), and iv) ESF system followed by group farrowing pen (EG). The results showed that stalled sows had a longer interval between puberty and second estrus (p<0.001). The sows kept in the ESF system gained more body weight (p<0.01) and backfat (p<0.05) prior to service, and more backfat during gestation (p<0.05), but also had greater backfat losses in the subsequent lactation (p<0.01). Sows changing from loose housing to confinement at farrowing had longer gestation length (p<0.001). Total litter size did not differ significantly between gestation treatments, but the number of stillborn piglets was significantly higher in the SC treatment (p<0.01). After weaning, SC sows had the longest interval for rebreeding (p<0.001). Some EG sows came into heat before weaning, giving this treatment the shortest interval. These results indicate that gestation confinement in sow stalls had several detrimental effects on sow performance relative to group housing.

• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.49-52
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• 1994

This study was carried out to compare farrowing rate and litter traits for European and American lines with boar sperm frozen in straws. Farrowing rate, litter size and mean pig weght at birth and 21 days were investigated. A total of 36 gilts Landrace, Large white and Duroc were investigated at the Chungnam Provincial Animal Breeding Station. We obtained higher farrowing rate and litter traits for European line boars compared to American line boars.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권3호
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• pp.574-587
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• 2022

This study was performed to development the alternative farrowing pen (AFP) and to investigate performance and behavior of lactating sows and their litter. A total of 64 multiparous sows were randomly divided into two groups and were allocated to farrowing crates (FCs) and AFPs. The AFPs contained a crate and support bars that could be folded to provide the sows with extra space on day 5 postpartum. Behavior was recorded by charge-coupled device cameras and digital video recorders, and the data were scanned every 2 min to obtain an instantaneous behavioral sample. Farrowing systems did not affect feed intake, back-fat thickness, litter size and piglet weight at birth and weaning (p > 0.05). In addition, there were no differences in the number of crushed piglets between the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). However, the weaning-to-estrus interval was shorter in the sows of the AFPs than in thous of the FCs (p < 0.05). The sows spent most of their time lying down during the lactating period, at about 80% lateral recumbency and 10%-15% ventral recumbency. The only significant differences were in the feeding and drinking behavior between sows in the two farrowing systems (p < 0.05). The FC sows displayed more feeding and drinking behavior than the AFP sows, especially in the late lactating period (p < 0.05). Piglets in the FCs tended to spend more time walking than piglets in the AFPs (p < 0.05), whereas there were no differences in suckling and lying behavior between piglets in the two farrowing systems (p > 0.05). It is concluded that the AFPs with temporary crating until day 4 postpartum did not negatively affect performance and crushed piglet compared with the FCs. It also may improve animal welfare by allowing sows to move and turn around during the lactating period. Further research is needed to find suitable housing designs to enhance productivity and animal welfare.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1519-1524
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• 2015

It is well known that prepartum sows have an innate motivation to build a nest before parturition. Under commercial conditions, however, the farrowing crate, which is widely used in modern pig husbandry, inhibits this innate behaviour through the lack of space, materials, or both. Thus, restriction of nest-building behaviour could generate increased stress, resulting in a decrease in maternal endogenous hormones. Hence, it could lead to detrimental effects on farrowing and lactating performance. Here we review interactions between prepartum nest-building behaviour, stress and maternal endogenous hormone levels, and discuss their effects on parturition, lactation, and welfare of sows and offspring.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제13권1호
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• pp.6-9
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lower numbers of sperm $(3{\times}10^9)$ per dose liquid semen and type of semen used in artificial insemination (AI) on sow reproductive performance in subtropical area. Semen was supplied by two commercial AI centers. A total of 671 female pigs from seven farms were inseminated with either $3{\times}10^9$ or $5{\times}10^9$ sperm per dose. Two types of semen were used: heterospermic semen from two boars of the same breed and homospermic semen from a single boar. After insemination, conception rate, farrowing rate, total litter size, and number of dead piglets were recorded. The analysis of variance indicated that there was no significant effect of interactions between pig farm, type of semen, or number of sperm on any of the traits measured. There were significant differences in conception rate, farrowing rate, and total litter size among pig farms (p<0.05). The effect of number of sperm per dose liquid semen ($3{\times}10^9$ or $5{\times}10^9$) was not significant. Sows inseminated with homospermic semen showed significantly higher conception and farrowing rates but significantly lower total litter size (p<0.05). In conclusion, the number of sperm per dose liquid semen for AI could be lowered to $3{\times}10^9 $ without affecting reproductive performance in subtropical areas like Taiwan.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권1호
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• pp.10-22
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• 2022

We studied the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 (LSB) supplemented to lactating sows on reproductive traits and farrowing duration and to piglets from day 7 of life on post-weaning performance and IgG concentration. Ninety-six Landrace × Yorkshire sows started the trial 5 days before the expected farrowing date. Sows were distributed into 2 groups according to parity number and backfat thickness: control (CON: regular lactation diet) and LSB (CON + LSB at 2 × 10⁹ colony forming units [CFU]/kg of feed). Seven days after birth, litters were randomly selected from each group and supplemented creep feed with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg. At weaning, piglets from CON sows were shifted to a commercial farm and allocated to 14 pens in groups of 25 piglets/pen according to the creep feed supplemented during lactation. Piglets followed a 3-phase feeding program: creep, pre-starter and starter, with or without LSB at 2 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in creep and pre-starter, and 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg LSB in starter. The piglets were vaccinated against classical swine fever on days 41 and 72 of life. One day before each vaccination and at the end of the trial, blood samples were collected from 15 randomly selected piglets per treatment and assessed for total IgG. Supplemented sows with non-supplemented litters displayed the lowest backfat thickness loss during lactation (p < 0.05). The LSB supplementation shortened farrowing duration (p < 0.05) and increased feed intake (p < 0.05) during the first week of lactation. The LSB-fed piglets were heavier at the end of creep (p < 0.05), pre-starter (p < 0.05), and the trial (p < 0.05); grew faster during creep (p < 0.05), starter (p < 0.05), and overall (p < 0.05); and displayed an improved feed conversion ratio during creep (p < 0.05). Total IgG content was higher at days 40 (p < 0.05) and 71 (p < 0.05) in LSB-fed piglets. We conclude that supplementing sows with Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 from late gestation until weaning shortens farrowing duration, increases feed intake, and minimizes backfat losses during lactation. When supplemented to piglet diet, post-weaning performance is improved. This improvement observed could be linked to a better immune status, as suggested by the higher IgG.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.1067-1078
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• 2003

산차가 다른 임신모돈의 임신기간 동안 스톨수용과 군사수용이 임신, 분만 및 비유기간 중 모돈의 행동패턴과 이상반복행동 및 분만성적에 미치는 영향을 조사하기 위하여 총 18두의 듀록(Duroc)종 모돈을 산차별로 1산차, 2${\sim}$3산차 및 4${\sim}$5산차 각각 3두씩 배치하여 임신초기 4주간은 스톨에 수용 후 각각 스톨과 군사돈방에 수용하였고, 분만예정일 7일전에 분만돈방으로 옮겼으며 21일간 포유로 수행하여 얻은 성적은 다음과 같다. 임신기간 동안의 모돈 행동패턴과 이상반복행동은 임신 60일과 90일 경과 시점에 24시간 동안, 분만당일 모돈 행동은 분만 2시간 전부터 후산이 배출되는 시점까지 약 6시간 동안, 비유기간 동안의 모돈 행동은 분만 10일 후, 2시간 반 동안 조사하였다. 또한 임신기간 동안 군사수용과 스톨수용 모돈의 분만성적을 비교하였다. 임신기간 동안 군사수용과 스톨수용 모돈의 행동은 옆으로 누워(ventral lying)있는 시간 비율이 양쪽 모두 가장 높았고, 산차에 따라서는 초산 모돈(71.3%)이 가장 높았다. 걷는(walking) 동작은 스톨수용 보다 군사수용이 월등히 높게 나타났고(8.68% 대 16.38%, SE=1.74; P<0.01), 산차 간에는 초산 모돈이 가장 낮았다. 마시는 (drinking) 동작으로 보낸 시간 비율은 군사수용 보다 스톨수용(0.27% 대 1.99%, SE=0.28)이 월등히 높게 나타났다(P<0.01). 임신기간 동안 나타내는 이상반복행동 발현수는 헛 씹기(vacuum chewing)가 스톨수용 임신 60일 경과시 가장 높았고, 산차와 임신일 간의 상호작용에서는 4${\sim}$5산차 임신돈의 임신 60일 경과가 높았다(P<0.05). 코로 바닥 문지르기(floor snout rubbing)는 수용형태${\times}$산차의 상호작용이 나타났으며, 군사 1산차가 가장 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 바닥 핥기(floor licking)는 임신 90일이 높았고(P<0.01), 수용형태$\times$임신일의 상호작용에서는 군사 90일이 높게 나타났다. 머리 흔들기(head waving)은 임신 60일이 높게 나타났으며, 쇠 핥기(bar licking)는 임신 90일이 높게 나타났다(P<0.05). 총 이상행동의 발현수는 스톨수용과 군사수용 간에 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 분만돈의 행동패턴은 앉아 있는 자세와 먹는 자세로 보낸 시간 비율만 유의적인 차이를 나타내었고, 앉아 있는 자세에서는 스톨수용 1산차(3.7%)와 군사수용 2${\sim}$3산차(2.7%)가 다른 산차 보다 높게 나타났다. 먹는 자세로 보낸 시간 비율은 군사 2${\sim}$3산차 만이 낮게 나타났다. 비유모돈의 행동패턴은 임신기간 동안 군사수용 1산차 모돈의 옆으로 누워 있는(ventral lying) 시간 비율이 높았고, 마시는(drinking) 동작은 임신기간 동안 스톨 수용 모돈이 높았으며, 특히 초산 모돈이 다른 산차의 모돈에 비하여 많은 시간을 물먹는데 소비하는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 보면, 임신기간 동안 수용형태에 따른 임신돈의 임신기간 동안의 행동패턴과 이상반복행동 발현수의 차이는 나타나지 않았으나, 비유모돈의 행동패턴과 이상반복행동 발현에 대한 결과는 군사수용 모돈이 보다 좋은 복지 상태에 있다는 것을 나타내고 있다. 또한 분만성적이 임신기간 동안 스톨수용과 군사수용 간에 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 따라서 모돈의 보다 많은 정상행동을 보장하고 복지상태를 개선하기 위해서는 임신돈의 군사수용은 스톨수용을 대체할 사양체계로서 그 가능성은 충분하며, 실제 적용을 위한 보다 진전된 연구가 필요한 것으로 사료된다.