Abstract Several studies have suggested there is a critical relationship between piglet birth weight and preweaning mortality. Thus, the objective of the current work was to identify a birth weight threshold value for preweaning mortality. Birth weight and survival data from two studies involving a combined total of 4,068 piglets from 394 litters on four commercial farms (three European, one U.S.) were compiled for a pooled, multistudy analysis. Overall preweaning mortality across the two studies was 12.2%. Key variables used in the analysis were piglet birth weight (measured within 24 h of birth) and corresponding survival outcome (dead or live) by weaning at 3–4 wk of age. A mixed effects logistic regression model was fit to estimate the relationship between preweaning mortality and birth weight. A random effect of study was included to account for overall differences in mortality between the two studies. A piecewise linear predictor was selected to best represent the drastic decrease in preweaning mortality found as birth weight increased in the range of 0.5–1.0 kg and the less extreme change in weight above 1.0 kg. The change point of the birth weight and preweaning mortality model was determined by comparing model fit based on maximizing the likelihood over the interval ranging from 0.5 to 2.3 kg birth weight. Results from the analysis showed a curvilinear relationship between birth weight and preweaning mortality where the birth weight change point value or threshold value was 1.11 kg. In the combined data set, 15.2% of pigs had birth weights ≤1.11 kg. This subpopulation of pigs had a 34.4% preweaning mortality rate and represented 43% of total preweaning mortalities. These findings imply interventions targeted at reducing the incidence of piglets with birth weights ≤1.11 kg have potential to improve piglet survivability. Additional research is needed to validate 1.11 kg as the birth weight threshold for increased risk of preweaning mortality.

A retrospective study, based on 60,990 farrowing records from 35 commercial herds, was performed to determine the incidence of early parturition (<114 d) and to investigate the relationship between early parturition and total number of piglets born, number of piglets born alive and percentage of stillborn piglets per litter. The mean gestation length was 115.4 ± 1.62 d, and early parturition occurred in 10% of all farrowing records. Sows with early parturition had significantly more stillborn piglets and a larger litter size compared to sows with a normal gestation length (114-117 d). Sows with a gestation length <114 d were 1.2 times (95% CI: 1.19-1.21; p<0.001) more likely to have an early parturition at the subsequent parity. A second study was performed in four herds (n=329) to investigate the efficacy of altrenogest administration on 110-112 d (T112) or 111-113 d (T113) of gestation for preventing early parturition and to investigate the effect of this treatment on the reproductive performance of sows. The interval between the last altrenogest treatment and the onset of parturition was 3.3 ± 1.32 (T112) or 2.0 ± 0.89 (T113) days. The gestation length of sows of the altrenogest group (T112 + T113) (115.3 ± 1.23 d) was significantly longer compared to gestation length of the non-treated sows (114.7 ± 1.69d) (p<0.01). Altrenogest treatment had no negative effect on the reproductive performances of the sows. In conclusion, the administration of altrenogest in late gestation is an effective and safe method to prevent early parturition and can counteract the reproductive losses because of premature farrowing, which may occur in a substantial part of the farrowing events.

Two transport experiments were carried out with 18 pigs each. These pigs originated from three genetic lines (homozygous halothane-positive and -negative and heterozygotes). Half the pigs were unfed for 12 h before transport. All pigs were transported twice for 2 h. Before and after transport pigs were anesthetized to take blood samples from the jugular vein and biopsies from the biceps femoris. At the same time equipment to measure body temperature and heart rate were attached or detached. Plasma cortisol and beta-endorphin concentrations were measured as well as the glycogen concentration in the muscle sample. Line differences were detected with respect to body temperature (P < .04), heart rate (P < .05), and cortisol (P < .01). The withholding of feed influenced (P < .04) plasma beta-endorphin concentration. Body temperature (P < .02), heart rate (P < .001), cortisol (P < .01), and beta-endorphin (P < .001) were different before and after transport, whereas a training effect of the transport number was observed for heart rate (P < .07) and plasma beta-endorphin (P < .02). No interactions between treatments were observed. The relationship between cortisol and beta-endorphin suggests a nonconcomitant release of ACTH and beta-endorphin.

This study investigated follicular development during and after postweaning altrenogest treatment of primiparous sows in relation to subsequent reproductive performance. Primiparous sows (n = 259) were randomly assigned at weaning (d 0) to 1 of 4 groups: control (no altrenogest, n = 71), RU4 (20 mg of altrenogest from d -1 to 2, n = 62), RU8 (20 mg of altrenogest from d -1 to 6, n = 65), or RU15 (20 mg of altrenogest from d -1 to 13, n = 61). Average follicular size (measured by ultrasound) increased during altrenogest treatment and resulted in larger follicles at the start of the follicular phase for RU4, RU8, and RU15 compared with controls (5.3 ± 0.9, 5.5 ± 1.3, 5.1 ± 1.2, and 3.4 ± 0.6 mm, respectively; P < 0.0001). Farrowing rate was greater in RU15 (95%) than in RU8 (76%; P = 0.04). The RU15 group also had more piglets (2 to 3 more piglets total born and born alive; P < 0.05) than the other treatment groups. Follicular development at weaning clearly affected reproductive performance. At weaning, average follicular size: small (<3.5 mm), medium (3.5 to 4.5 mm), or large (≥ 4.5 mm), was associated with farrowing rates of 86, 78, and 48%, respectively (P < 0.001). Sows with large follicles at weaning had low farrowing rates (71%) in RU4, very low farrowing rates (22%) in RU8, but normal farrowing rates in RU15 (83%). In conclusion, this study showed that 15 d of postweaning altrenogest treatment of primiparous sows may allow follicle turnover in sows that had large follicles at weaning and that this was associated with an improved reproductive performance. It also showed that shorter treatment with altrenogest (4 or 8 d) is beneficial for sows with small follicles at weaning, but is not recommendable for sows with large follicles at weaning.

The present field study investigated the efficacy of early Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vaccination in a farrow-to-finish pig herd with respiratory disease late in the fattening period due to combined infections with M hyopneumoniae and viral pathogens. Five hundred and forty piglets were randomly divided into three groups of 180 piglets each: two groups were vaccinated (Stellamune Once) at either 7 (V1) or 21 days of age (V2), and a third group was left non-vaccinated (NV). The three treatment groups were housed in different pens within the same compartment during the nursery period, and were housed in different but identical compartments during the fattening period. The efficacy was evaluated using performance and pneumonia lesions. The average daily weight gain during the fattening period was 19 (V1) and 18 g/day (V2) higher in both vaccinated groups when compared with the NV group. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The prevalence of pneumonia was significantly lower in both vaccinated groups (V1: 71.5 and V2: 67.1 per cent) when compared with the NV group (80.2 per cent) (P<0.05). There were no significant differences between the two vaccination groups. In conclusion, in the present herd with respiratory disease during the second half of the fattening period caused by M hyopneumoniae and viral infections, prevalence of pneumonia lesions were significantly reduced and growth losses numerically (not statistically significant) decreased by both vaccination schedules.