• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제14권7호
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• pp.1019-1023
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• 2001

An on-farm trial was conducted in temperature-controlled lactation rooms at a commercial pig farm to investigate the efficacy of broadcasting sow suckling grunts from day 4 of lactation, on increasing piglet growth to weaning. In the Broadcast treatment, sows and litters were exposed to a 3-min broadcast from loud-speakers every 42 min. The Control treatment was not exposed to the broadcast. All sows and litters had similar husbandry and piglets were provided with creep feed on the floor twice daily. In each of the three replicates in time, the Broadcast and Control treatments were allocated to different lactation rooms at random and there were 12 sows and litters per treatment per replicate. A total of four identical lactation rooms were available for the trial, each containing 28 conventional sow and litter crates with piglet heater in the creep area. A non-trial room separated the two treatment rooms in each replicate to minimise the chance that the broadcast grunt stimulation was audible to the Control treatment litters. Five "normal and average-looking" piglets from the trial litters were weighed twice, 7 d apart. The cohort of five piglets was identified by ear-tags and formed the experimental unit for the statistical analysis. The average (${\pm}SD$) age of piglets at initial weighing was 7.7(${\pm}2.22$) days. For each litter, mean piglet live weight at day 14 of lactation was estimated by linear regression of the two weights recorded seven days apart, when on average, the Broadcast treatment had been exposed to the stimulation for 10 days. Piglets in the Broadcast treatment were heavier (p<0.01) at day 14 of lactation compared to Control treatment (4.24 and 3.92 kg, respectively) and tended to have a greater average daily weight gain over the 7-d period (245 and 228 g/day, respectively; p<0.08). The results suggest piglet growth was improved by about 8% in response to the regular, timed broadcast of sow suckling grunts in the lactation shed. The independent contributions of milk and creep feed to the improved growth remain to be determined.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제15권8호
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• pp.1186-1190
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• 2002

One hundred and twenty nine primiparous sows were used to determine the effects of alternative processing procedures and feeding systems on the nutritional value of sorghum grain-based diets for lactating sows. Treatments were a ground sorghum control, steam-flaked sorghum and extruded sorghum fed in meal form and the ground sorghum control given as pellets or gruel (1:1 ratio of water and feed on a volume:volume basis). Average daily feed intake was greater for sows fed pelleted and gruel diet forms than sow fed the diets with steam-flaked and extruded sorghum (p<0.04). However, no differences occurred in sow weight or backfat losses among the treatments (p>0.14). Number of pigs weaned and livability rates were similar among treatments except that steam-flaked sorghum supported greater litter weight gains than extruded sorghum (p<0.02). Apparent digestibilities of DM, N and GE in sows fed steam-flaked and extruded sorghum were greater (p<0.001) than in sows fed pelleted or gruel diets. Of the various treatments, sows fed extruded sorghum tended to have the highest digestibilities of DM, N and GE, and lowest excretions of DM and N in the faeces. Severity of ulceration was not significantly affected by treatments (p>0.35), but keratinization was greatest for sows fed extruded sorghum (p<0.01). In conclusion, the alternative processing methods (steam-flaking and extrusion) and feeding system (pellets and gruel) had little effect on sow and litter performance. However, nutrient digestibilities were improved for all treatments that involved heating (steam flaking, extrusion and pelleting) and, thus, these treatments resulted in less fecal excretion of DM and N.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제29권5호
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• pp.739-746
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• 2016

A total of 152 pig farms were randomly selected from the five provinces in South Korea. During the experiment, the average temperature and relative humidity was $24.7^{\circ}C$ and 74% in summer and $2.4^{\circ}C$ and 53% in winter, respectively. The correlation between floor space allowance (FSA) and productivity index was analyzed, including non-productive sow days (NPD), number of weaners (NOW), survival rate (SR), appearance rate of A-grade pork (ARA), and days at a slaughter weight of 110 kg (d-SW) at different growth stages. The objectives of the present study were i) to determine the effect of FSA on the pig productivity index and ii) to suggest the minimum FSA for pigs based on scientific baseline data. For the pregnant sow, NPD could be decreased if pregnant sows were raised with a medium level (M) of FSA (3.10 to $3.67m^2/head$) while also keeping the pig house clean which improves hygiene, and operating the ventilation system properly. For the farrowing sows, the NOW tended to decrease as the FSA increased. Similarly, a high level of FSA (H) is significantly negative with weaner SR of farrowing sows (p-value = 0.017), indicating this FSA tends to depress SR. Therefore, a FSA of 2.30 to $6.40m^2/head$ (very low) could be appropriate for weaners because a limited space can provide a sense of security and protection from external interruptions. The opposite trend was observed that an increase in floor space (> $1.12m^2/head$ leads to increase the SR of growing pigs. For the fattening pigs, H level of FSA was negatively correlated with SR, but M level of FSA was positively correlated with SR, indicating that SR tended to increase with the FSA of 1.10 to $1.27m^2/head$. In contrast, ARA of male fattening pigs showed opposite results. H level of FSA (1.27 to $1.47m^2/head$) was suggested to increase productivity because ARA was most affected by H level of space allowance with positive correlation ($R^2=0.523$). The relationship between the FSA and d-SW of fattening pigs was hard to identify because of the low $R^2$ value. However, the farms that provided a relatively large floor space (1.27 to $1.54m^2/head$) during the winter period showed d-SW was significantly and negatively affected by FSA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.7-12
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters between first and later parities as different traits in reproductive traits of pigs using multiple trait animal model procedures. Data related to reproductive traits from a total of 2,371 individuals maintained at a farm were taken from the pedigree file. Sires and dams were consisted of Duroc, Landrace, and Yorkshire breeds, respectively. The first and later parity records were considered as different traits. Traits included in analyses were total pigs born (TB1), number of pigs born alive (NBA1), number of pigs weaned (NW1), and litter weaning weight (LWT1) in the first parity, and total pigs born (TB2), number of pigs born alive (NBA2), number of pigs weaned (NW2), litter weaning weight (LWT2) and interval between farrowing events (FTF) in later parities. Heritability estimates of TB1, NBA1, NW1 and LWT1 in the first parity were 0.27, 0.25, 0.16 and 0.20, respectively. For TB2, NBA2, NW2, LWT2 and FTF in later parities, heritabilities were estimated as 0.15, 0.15, 0.08, 0.11 and 0.07, respectively. Genetic correlations between sow reproductive traits in the first parity and in the second and later parity were estimated to be 0.89, 0.77, 0.58 and 0.66, respectively, between TB1 and TB2, NBA1 and NBA2, NW1 and NW2, and LWT1 and LWT2. While phenotypic correlations between TB1 and TB2, NBA1 and NBA2, NW1 and NW2, and LWT1 and LWT2 were estimated as 0.18, 0.15, 0.06 and 0.10, respectively. Genetic correlations between reproductive traits of first and later parities were not high indicating that reproductive traits for sows should be analyzed while considering the parities as different traits.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.368-372
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify the feasibility of using an infrared sensor to measure the body temperature of a sow. We first conducted experiments on three pigs by using three infrared sensors and one indoor temperature sensor. Methods: The three infrared sensors were installed inside our model house and were used to take temperature measurements per second of the backs of the pigs. While feeding, the temperatures of the backs of the pigs were measured at distances of 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm from the infrared sensors. Results: We concluded that the relation between the temperature of the pigs' backs and the indoor temperature was y =0.549x + 18.459 at a measuring distance of 30 cm. The relation was y = 0.645x + 15.461 for a distance of 20 cm and y = 0.760x + 11.913 for a distance of 10 cm. We found high correlation between the indoor temperature and the temperature of the pigs' backs. Conclusions: It is possible to use an infrared thermometer to monitor the temperature of pigs' backs. This system seems to be feasible and effective in monitoring pig temperature. The use of an infrared thermometer will also make daily monitoring easy. In later experiments, the possibility of developing a system that can determine if an error can be corrected by using infrared sensor is explored by considering humidity variables.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.160-165
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• 2007

Dispersion parameters for the number of piglets born alive were estimated using a repeatability and random regression model. Six sow breeds/lines were included in the analysis: Swedish Landrace, Large White and both crossbred lines between them, German Landrace and their cross with Large White. Fixed part of the model included sow genotype, mating season as month-year interaction, parity and weaning to conception interval as class effects. The age at farrowing was modelled as a quadratic regression nested within parity. The previous lactation length was fitted as a linear regression. Random regressions for parity on Legendre polynomials were included for direct additive genetic, permanent environmental, and common litter environmental effects. Orthogonal Legendre polynomials from the linear to the cubic power were fitted. In the repeatability model estimate of heritability was 0.07, permanent environmental effect as ratio was 0.04, and common litter environmental effect as ratio was 0.01. Estimates of genetic parameters with the random regression model were generally higher than in the repeatability model, except for the common litter environmental effect. Estimates of heritability ranged from 0.06 to 0.10. Permanent environmental effect as a ratio increased along a trajectory from 0.03 to 0.11. Magnitudes of common litter effect were small (around 0.01). The eigenvalues of covariance functions showed that between 7 and 8 % of genetic variability was explained by individual genetic curves of sows. This proportion was mainly covered by linear and quadratic coefficients. Results suggest that the random regression model could be used for genetic analysis of litter size.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.285-294
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• 1992

Biochemical polymorphisms of sow's milk proteins, $\beta$-casein ($\beta$-CN), $\beta$-lactoglobulin ($\beta$-LG), post-lactoglobulin (post-LG), $\alpha$-lactalbumin ($\alpha$-LA) and X-protein, as genetic markers for major pig breeds (Landrace, Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire and cross bred) in Korea were determined by starch gel electrophoresis. Phenotype and gene frequencies at all marker loci were estimated and genetic differences among breed populations were analyzed. Three $\beta$-CN phenotypes (AA, AB and BB) controlled by two codominant alleles (${\beta}-CN^A$ and ${\beta}-CN^B$), four $\beta$-LG phenotypes (AA, AC, $AC^{\pm}$ and CC) controlled by two codominant alleles (${\beta}-LG^A$ and ${\beta}-LG^C$) and ten X-protein phenotypes (AA, BB, CC, DD, AB, AC, AD, BC, BD and CD) controlled by four codominant alleles ($X^A,\;X^B,\;X^C\;and\;X^D$) were identified. In addition, a genetically controlled polymorphism of post-LG was found for the first time in sow's milk protein. Three different phenotypes (AA, AB and BB) were designated $post-LG^A$ and $post-LG^B$. Of the five marker loci examined, $\alpha$-LA locus was observed to lack any individual variation in all breeds studied. All populations were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for all loci. There were marked breed differences for phenotype and gene frequencies in the post-LG and X-protein marker loci. However, there were little differences between breeds in the gene frequencies at the $\beta$-CN and $\beta$-LG marker loci.

• 한국동물위생학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.133-151
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• 1995

During 2 years from Octorber 1992 to April 1994, prevalence of general respiratory diseases and atrophic rhinitis in the pig herds located in the Western Chungnam was investigated, and isolation of B. bronchiseptica was attempted for the pigs manifested with the clinical signs of atrophic rhinitis(AR). The isolates were characterized and identified in aspects of biochemical properties, antigenicity, drug sensitivity and pathogenicity. The results obtained through the experiments are summarized as follows; 1. During 2 years of investigation, the overall prevalence of the general respiratory diseases in the pi8 herds in Western Chungnam was 35.3%, consisting of 35.1% in the pig farms and 38.8% in a slaughter house. The prevalence by age groups accounts for 9.2% in adults, 44.7% in rearings and 25.3% in sucklings. By farm size, The highest prevalence of 56.5% was observed in the smallest farm with 1 to 200 heads. 2. The prevalence of clinical cases of artrophic rhinitis was recorded by 12.7% in the group that is the sows and piglets vaccinated, 28.9% in the group that is the sows only vaccinated and 39.8% in the group of the non-vaccinated groups. In the slaughter house, 53(24.8%) of 214 pigs examined exhibit the AR lesions. 3. A total of 189 strains of B. bronchiseptica were isolated from the pig herds. Isolation rates were 12.6% in the group that is the sows and piglets vaccinated, 34.1% in the group that is the sows only vaccinated and 45.7% in the group of the non-vaccinated groups. Isolation rate in the specimen from the slaughter house was 93( 43.5% ) of 214 pigs examined. Of the AR-non-vaccinated group, the piglets aged bet- ween 61 to 90 days revealed the highest isolation rate of 58.5%. 4. The titers of antibody against B. bronchiseptica were measured by tube agglutination test. The group that is the sow and piglet-vaccinated showed the highest titer of 640-2, 560 in sow and 640longrightarrow5, 120 in piglet. The group that is the sows only-vaccinated revealed 640-2, 560 in sows and 640-1, 280 in piglets. Both of the vaccinated groups showed 100% positive reaction. The group of the non-vaccinated sho-wed relatively lower titer of 0-1, 280 in both of sows and piglets. The positive rate of the sera obtained from the slaughter house was 53.3% with the antibody titer of 0-1, 280. 5. Biochemical and serological properities of 189 isolates were very similar to those of the reference B. bronchiseptical phase I type, indicating that most of isolates are B. bronchiseptica phase I type. 6. In antimicrobial drug susceptibility, 87.3% of 189 isolates was susceptible to chloramphenicol, 79.9%, to amikacin, 64.6%, to cephalothin and less than 35.4% to others. 7. In agar-gel immunodiffusion and SDS-PAGE analysis, the isolates presented the identical antigenicity and protein profiles to the reference standard strains. 8. The whole cells and bacterial filtrates of the isolates were inoculated to guinea pigs and mice. The isolates showed the hish pathogenicity and dermonecrotoxiciy.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.345-360
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• 2000

The effects on CTC (T1) and CTC, Sulfathiazole and Penicillin Combination (T2) medication in feed through one life cycle of pigs, namely, weaning, mating, farrowing, lactation, growing, finishing and slaughter, were tested under local condition. In sow phase, productivity and the number of microflora in urine before and after medication of CTC were studied and average daily gain and feed conversion rate were checked during growing and finishing period. All pigs reached at 155 days old were slaughtered for pathological examination. 1. Litter size, farrowing rate and survival rate at birth were improved by CTC medication from weaning to 21th day after mating and mortality of piglet at weaning, 25 days after farrowing, was reduced in the CTC medication group, but no siginificant. 2. The number of microflora in the sow urine was changed with the medication at 200ppm of CTC in feed. In particular, the number of E coli, Samonella and Staphylococci were reduced by CTC medication. 3. The average daily gain and feed conversion rate of grower and finisher pigs was improved significantly in both treated groups, most in the high level CTC (T1) medicated group and was lowest in the control group. 4. The number of infected lungs was reduced not significant by both treatments (as % pneumonic lesions Co 66.7%, T1 47.1%, T2 31.4%) and the severity of lung lesions was significantly reduced by both high level of CTC and CTC combination medication in feed. 5. Although there were no statistical differences in atrophic rhinitis based on turbinate scores among the 3 groups, the number of mild and moderate (Grade 2 and 3) infections was higher in the control group (9/36) than in the treated groups (T1 2/34 & T2 4/35).

• 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.