Purpose: to study the main physiological indicators of newborn piglets in industrial conditions; adaptation based on the obtained data of the generally accepted Apgar scale for intensive production.Materials and methods. 152 newborn piglets of a Landrace and Duroc mix, obtained from 12 different sows, were studied according to the existing methodology of the adapted Apgar scale in the conditions of an industrial pig farm. The sows from which the piglets were obtained were of different ages, clinically healthy. The sows were fed using the Dry Rapid feed distribution system, the sows had individual feeders, feeding with compound feed. All planned preventive measures (vaccination and deworming) were carried out according to the established schedule. From the first minutes of life, piglets were fed with colostrum and, later, sows' milk by selfsucking of the udder teats, then, for the introduction of complementary foods, on the 10th day, removable group feeders (pre-starter feeding) and nipple drinkers were provided. All piglets selected by us were examined immediately after birth and 5 and 20 minutes after birth. The assessment of their condition was carried out according to the following criteria: assessment of the general physical condition, the presence of visible developmental pathologies, activity, and the intensity of the sucking reflex. Assessment of the general condition, activity and presence of pathologies was carried out by general clinical methods - examination, palpation, auscultation. To assess the sucking reflex of each piglet, a reflexological method was used: a visual assessment of the sucking reflex on the nipples.Results. In the course of the research, not only the main physiological indicators (parameters, standards) of the above criteria applicable to newborn piglets in industrial conditions have been established, but also the generally accepted Apgar scale for intensive production has been adapted, which will allow you to quickly and reliably assess the morphophysiological state of newborn piglets, their physiological maturity, as well as to make a forecast regarding their further general condition and, based on these signs, to cull.
Based on the results of the study, methods for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in the conditions of an industrial pig farm have been improved. The effectiveness of the proposed "Complex method for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in industrial conditions" is shown. An assessment was made of the hormonal status of replacement pigs in the ontogenesis phases critical for the development of the reproductive system - before the first estrus (before puberty) and immediately before insemination (maturity of the body); features of the manifestation of the immobility reflex in these gilts under conditions of artificial insemination. When applying the developed methodology for determining the timing of insemination of pigs, its efficiency increases - the percentage of pro-hollowness decreases from 5.68% to 1.29%, which leads to a reasonable expenditure of labor costs for the preparation of sperm doses and insemination, more rational use seed production at the same financial costs for the technique itself.The level of sex hormones (estradiol, testosterone, cortisol and FSH) in the blood serum of physiologically healthy replacement pigs of the Duroc breed in the phases of ontogenesis that are critical for the formation of the reproductive system - in the period before the first estrus and in the period after body maturation (immediately before insemination) allows you to quickly determine fertility in replacement pigs. The use of the developed "Complex method for determining the fertility of replacement pigs in industrial conditions" contributes to the effective use of the breeding stock
African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease of domestic and wild pigs, which went beyond its natural range (African continent) in the XXI century and since 2007 (emergence in Georgia) has spread to many European and Asia-Pacific countries. According to the immediate notifications and follow-up reports, by early 2021 Europe accounted for about 68% of globally reported outbreaks. However, the greatest losses in the pig industry were inflicted by the outbreak recorded in Asia in 2020, when 6,733,791 animals died that accounted to 82% of the total global losses due to ASF. Just after several years of the current ASF epizootic, without any vaccine or treatment available, it became clear that major problems for the pig industry (mostly for small farmers) as well as destabilization of the global market of pig products were unavoidable. In this regard, in 2014 (Bern, September 2014) a regional standing group of experts on African swine fever (SGE ASF) was established under FAO/OIE GF-TADs umbrella. The aim of the group is to foster closer collaboration between the affected countries, increase transparency and share experience in prevention and control. The work of the permanent expert ASF missions under the GF-TADs umbrella has proven effective and become a model for other regions. A similar group was established in Asia in April 2019 to counter rapid spread of the disease in the Asia-Pacific region, where more than 60% of the world’s pig population is concentrated, and a new permanent ASF expert group for the Americas is being considered. The many-year efforts resulted in the establishment of the FAO/OIE/GF-TADs platform as a progressive mechanism to combat such transboundary disease as African swine fever.
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