• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1469-1474
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• 2019

Objective: Physical activity restriction in sows may lead to behavioral abnormalities and affective disorders. However, the psychophysiological state of these sows is still unclear. As miRNAs can be used as effective markers of psychopathy, the present study aimed to assess the difference in microRNA expression between the long-term activity restricted sows and activity free sows, thus contributing to the understanding of abnormal sow behavior. Methods: Four dry sows (sixth parity, Large${\times}$White genetic line) were selected from activity restricted crates (RC) or activity free pens (FP) separately. microRNAs in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC) and serum were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the correlation between the miRNAs expressed in the vMPFC and serum was evaluated. Results: miR-134 (1.11 vs 0.84) and miR-1202 (1.09 vs 0.85) levels were higher in the vMPFC of the RC sows than in the FP sows (p<0.01). Furthermore, miR-132 (1.27 vs 1.08) and miR-335 (1.03 vs 0.84) levels were also higher in the RC sows than in FP sows (p<0.05); however, miR-135a, miR-135b, miR-16, and miR-124 levels were not different (p>0.05). The relative expression of serum miR-1202 was higher in the RC sows than in the FP sows (1.04 vs 0.54) (p<0.05), and there was a strong correlation (R = 0.757, p<0.05) between vMPFC and Serum levels of miR-1202. However, no significant difference was observed in miR-16 levels in the serum of the RC sows and FP sows (p>0.05). Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that long-term activity restriction in sows likely results in autism or other complex psychopathies with depression-like behaviors. These observations may provide new insights for future studies on abnormal behavior in sows and contribute to research on human psychopathy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.11.1-11.9
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• 2014

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on the performance of lactating sows and piglets as well as the immunity of piglets suckling from sows fed CLA. Eighteen multiparous Duroc sows with an average body weight (BW) of $232.0{\pm}6.38kg$ were randomly selected and assigned to two dietary treatments (n = 9 for each treatment), control (no CLA addition) and 1% CLA supplementation. For the control diet, CLA was replaced with soybean oil. Experimental diets were fed to sows during a 28-day lactation period. Litter size for each sow was standardized to nine piglets by cross-fostering within 24 hours after birth. Sow milk and blood samples were taken from sows and piglets after 21 and 27 days of lactation, respectively. Loss of BW was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in sows fed control diet compared to sows fed CLA diet. Piglet weights at weaning and weight gain during suckling were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in sows fed CLA compared to sows fed control diet. Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and urea nitrogen concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in sows fed CLA than in sows fed soybean oil. IgG concentrations of the groups supplemented with CLA increased by 49% in sow serum (p < 0.0001), 23% in milk (p < 0.05), and 35% in piglet serum (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Sows fed CLA showed an increase of 10% in milk yield compared with sows fed soybean oil (p < 0.05), even though there was no difference in daily feed intake between the treatments. Milk fat content was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in sows fed CLA than in sows fed soybean oil. Solid-not-fat yield was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in sows supplemented with CLA than in sows fed control diet and also protein-to-fat ratio in milk was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in sows fed CLA compared with the control group. The results show that CLA supplementation to sows increased milk yield without losing BW during lactation, whereas soybean oil supplementation resulted in severe BW loss.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.142-148
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• 2016

The present study investigated the effects of back-fat thickness at d 107 of gestation and housing types during gestation on reproductive performance and behavior of sows. A total of 64 crossbred sows ($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$) in their 3 to 4 parities were allotted to one of four treatments (n = 16) over two consecutive parities. During each parity, sows were assigned to two gestational housing types (stall or group housing) and two level of back-fat thickness (<20 or ${\geq}20$) at d 107 of gestation. Gestating sows were transferred from gestational crates to stalls or pens (group housing) 5 weeks before farrowing. All sows were moved to farrowing crates on d 109 of gestation. At weaning, back-fat thickness changes were lesser (p<0.05) in sows having back-fat thickness <20 mm than that of sows with ${\geq}20mm$ back-fat thickness at 107 d of gestation. Group housed sows had greater (p<0.05) feed intake and shorter (p<0.05) weaning-to-estrus interval than that of sows in stalls. At weaning, back-fat thickness changes were lesser (p<0.05) in group housed sows than that of sows in stalls. The number of piglets at weaning, growth rate and average daily gain were greater (p<0.05) in group housed sows than that of sows in stalls. During gestation, walking duration was more (p<0.05) in group housed sows. Group housed sows had lesser (p<0.05) farrowing duration and greater (p<0.05) eating time than that of sows in stalls. Result obtained in present study indicated that sows with ${\geq}20mm$ back-fat thickness at 107 days had better reproductive performance. Additionally, group housing of sows during last five week of gestation improved the performance and behavior and reproductive efficiency of sows.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.365-369
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• 2012

Fast recovery of feed intake and milk production are very important in the management of lactating sows because they are directly related to sow and litter performance. It is also known that parity is one of factors affecting feed intake and milk yield during lactation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate effects of different parities on productive performance of lactating sows fed diets containing different levels of DDGS. A total of 245 sows were divided into 3 parity groups of 1 to 2, 3 to 5, and over 5 parities. Within each parity group, sows were allottedto 1 of 4 dietary treatments that were prepared by inclusion of 0, 10, 20, and 30% DDGS in lactation diets. Diets were fed to sows during lactation. Sows with parities 1-2 had lower (p < 0.05) initial sow body weight, sow feed intake, sow weight change, and sow backfat change during lactation than sows with parities 3-5 as well as parities over 5. However, sows with parities over 5 had lower (p < 0.05) litter size at weaning, litter birth weight, litter weaning weight, and piglet average daily gain and higher pre-weaning mortality than sows with parities 1-2 as well as parities 3-5. In conclusion, parity influences productive performance of lactating sows.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.15-19
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• 1988

This study was carried out to investigate the fertility and farrowing date in post-weaning sows using PG600 and inseminated with frozen semen. A total of 48 sows of Landrace, Large White and Duroc after 7-week lactation were used at the Chungnam Provincial Animal Breeding Station. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Motility had no significant differences between the breeds, but NAR acrosome was highest in Landrace, followed by Duroc and Large White(p<.01). 2. Interval from weaning to estrus and length of estrus were, respectively, 3.7 days and 52.6hours of sows treated with PG600, and 6.5 days and 53.8 hours for control sows. The average interval from weaning to onset of estrus was significantly(p<.01) shorter by 2.8 days in PG600 treated sows compared to control sows. 3. In Landrace, Duroc and Large White, farrowing rate and number of pigs born alive per litter were 55.0%, 10.0; 43.8%, 8.1; and 16.7%, 3.5, respectively. Average pig weight at birth and survival rate at 56 days had no significant differences between the breeds. 4. Farrowing rate, number of pigs born alive per litter, average pig weight at birth and survival rate at 56 days were, respectivey, 45.8%, 101, 1.56kg and 94.5% for sows treated with PG600, and 37.5%, 7.0, 1.66kg and 93.8% for control sows. Sows treated with PG 600 had an average of 3.1 more pigs at farrowing compared to control sows.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.183-191
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• 2019

Claw lesion is one of the major causes of lameness in sows and the lameness is one of the reasons for culling of sows from the swine herd. This survey was conducted on sows in total of 8 farms with a total of 684 pigs. The lesions observed in the study were horizontal and vertical claw cracks (CWH & CWV), differences in the length of toes (T) and/or in the length of dew claws (DC) according to crates, breeds and parity of sows. Scores of claw lesions were assigned on 0, 1, 2, and 3 at each foot depending on the severity of the claw lesions. The sows' parity was classified into 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 5 to 8. Prevalence rate of claw lesions in sows raised on punched plastic crate was higher than that in sows raised on tribar crate. In prevlence rate by breeds, inbreed Landrace sows showed higher than that of Yorkshire sows. According to 4 claw lesions, the length of DC was the highest at parity 3~4 and CWV was the lowest at parity 3~4 in F1 crossbred sows raised on punched plastic crates, respectively. In Yorkshire breeds raised on punched plastic crates, the length of DC at parity 5~8 was the lowest and CWH was the highest at parity 3~4, respectively. In Landrace breeds raised on tribar crates, CWH was the highest at parity 1~2 and CWV was the lowest at parity 3~4, respectively. The high parity in F1 crossbred sows showed high prevalence rate of claw lesions than that of low parity and other inbreed sows, respectively. These results may be useful as elementary data in establishment of welfare quality protocol and preventive measures to reduce economic losses from craw lesions in sows.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.37-46
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• 1991

A field trial was performed to evaluate the effects of hormone treatment on estrus induction, ovulation, embryo transfer and reproductive performance in post-weaning sows. This trial involved 61 mixed breed sows of varying parity on a commercial pig farm. Sows were allocated to one of five trials: control group involved 25 sows that were treated with a single intramuscular injection of 5 ml physiological saline, 6 sows received 1,500 IU PMSG on the day of weanning and 500 IU HCG at the onset of estrus in trial I, 7 sows received 750 IU PMSG on the day of weanning and 500 IU HCG at the onset of estrus in trial II, 5 sows were treated with the same as trial II on day 28 after weanning in trial III. and 18 sows were treated with 10 mg PGF$_2$$\alpha$ plus 2 mg estradiol benzoate on day 31 after weanning in trial IV. Ovarian responses were checked by laparotomy and ova were recovered by oviducal flushing between 40 and l00hrs after mating. Fertilized ova were transferred into the oviduts of recipient sows synchroni- zed. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. Percentages of sows detected in standing estrus following treatment were 86~100% among trial groups. The interval from treatment to standing estrus(6l.7$\pm$0.5lhrs) in lOmg PGF$_2$$\alpha$ and 2mg estradial henzoate treated group was significantly earlier than in other trial groups(P<0.05). 2. Average number of ovulations was 11.5~37.8 among trial groups. The ovulation rate in 1,500 IU PMSG and 500 IU RCG treated group (37.8$\pm$ 19.87) was significantly different from other trial groups(P<0.05). 3. Ova were recovered by oviducal flushing between 40~ l00hrs after mating and recovery rates of ova wore 91.4% between 40~59hrs. 4. Fertilized ova were transferred into the oviducts of 8 recipient sows synchronized with 7 to 17 ova per animal. Three of the recipients were pregnant and delivered 25 piglets. 5. Four of the donor sows in those embryo collection was not successful were pregnant following oviducal flushing and delivered 23 piglets. 6. Recurrence of estrus and farrowing performance of experimental sows were observed following the experiment was no difference among trial groups, respectively.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.533-537
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• 2004

The experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that supplementing diets of lactating first parity sows with a mixture of carbohydrases (CS) improves lactation performance and second parity reproductive performance. The CS used in this study contained 7 units/g of $\alpha$-1,6-galactosidase, 22 units/g of $\beta$-1,4-mannanase, $\beta$-1,4-mannosidase and trace amounts of other enzymes. Twenty primiparous sows (Newsham Hybrid) were allotted to either the control group (no CS supplement) or the CS group (0.1% CS supplement) and fed the experimental diets during 21 d lactation period. Sows and nursing pigs were weighed at birth and weekly until weaning. Days of weaning-to-estrus were recorded. Sows had free access to feed and water. Feed intake of sows was measured daily. During the second parity gestation and lactation, all the sows were fed the same gestation and lactation diets and their reproductive performance was measured. During the second parity, there were 14 sows (7 sows per group) remained productive. For the first lactation, maternal body weight loss of the CS group was smaller (p<0.05) than that of the control group. There was no difference in litter weight gain between two groups. Voluntary feed intake of sows did not differ between the two groups. Days of weaning-to-estrus of the CS group were smaller (p<0.05) than those of the control group. In the second parity, there was no difference in the reproductive performance between the two groups. In conclusion, supplementing CS in the diet of lactating sows during the first parity decreased body weight loss and days of weaning-to-estrus of sows. However, these effects of the CS supplementation in the first parity were not successfully carried over to the second parity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1323-1331
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• 2020

Objective: Three types of dietary fiber were fed to sows during gestation and lactation stages to monitor their physiological and metabolic adaptations during the pre-partum period and to determine how these effects may influence the lactation period and sow performance. Methods: Soon after breeding, 54 sows were selected and were fed with 20% supplementation as fed of wheat bran (WB), soya hulls (SH), or rice hulls (RH) in diets during gestation and lactation. Sows were weighed, backfat thickness was measured ultrasonically and jugular blood samples were collected from all sows. The litter size was equalized to 10, by fostering piglets from sows on the same treatment. Results: Sows gained 22.0, 21.8, and 25.5 kg of net maternal body weight during gestation (for WB, SH, and RH sows, respectively; p = 0.007). There was no treatment effect on the body weight change during lactation (p = 0.158), however RH sows consumed an average of 133.66 kg of feed, WB sows took 121.29 kg and SH sows took 126.77 kg during lactation (p<0.001). The SH litters gained an average of 59.34 kg of weight during lactation, while other litters gained 51.58 and 49.98 kg (for WB and RH litters, respectively; p<0.001). Exception for aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, measured serum biochemical values were broadly in agreement with earlier reports. Despite the use of additional vegetable oil to balance the energy level, RH sows still had lower concentrations of serum triglycerides in late gestation. Conclusion: Different types of fibrous ingredients in the gestation diet influenced most of the investigated reference values for sows. The values of serum biochemical parameters were generally not affected by fiber type during the lactation stage. The SH supplementation for sows is an effective approach to give heavier litters at birth and weaning and to increase voluntary feed intake in early lactation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2024

Objective: The present study was performed to determine risk factors associated with the frequency of farrowing assistance in hyperprolific sows in a tropical environment and to investigate the impacts of farrowing assistance on piglet colostrum consumption and sow colostrum yield. Methods: Farrowing data from 352 Landrace×Yorkshire crossbred sows and 5,554 piglets in five commercial swine herds in Thailand were investigated. The sows were classified according to parity numbers: 1 (n = 72), 2 to 4 (n = 128), 5 to 6 (n = 84), and ≥7 (n = 68) and the total number of piglets born per litter (TB): 10 to 13 (n = 90), 14 to 16 (n = 117), and ≥17 (n = 145). The incidence of farrowing assistance and associated parameters were investigated. Results: The TB and farrowing duration averaged 15.8±0.2 and 279.9±11.2 min, respectively. The percentage of sows that required farrowing assistance was 29.8% and varied among herds from 5.7% to 53.3% (p<0.001). The percentage of piglets born after birth assistance using manual intervention was 8.4%. Sows with parity numbers 1 and 2 to 4 had a lower frequency of farrowing assistance than sows with parity numbers ≥7 (p<0.01). The colostrum yield of sows that required farrowing assistance did not differ from sows that farrowed without assistance (5.3±0.2 and 5.1±0.1 kg; p = 0.288); however, the colostrum consumption of piglets born from sows that required farrowing assistance was lower than those born from sows that farrowed without assistance (302.2±15.7 and 354.2±5.6 g; p<0.001). Blood oxygen saturation of the piglets born after birth assistance tended to be lower than the piglets that farrowed without birth assistance (87.8%±1.3% vs 90.4%±0.4%; p = 0.054). Conclusion: The frequency of farrowing assistance in sows varied among herds and was influenced by parity number. The piglets born after receiving birth assistance should receive special care to improve their blood oxygen saturation and enhance colostrum intake.