Colostrum production of Alentejano and Large-White × Landrace sows: consumption, passive immunity and mortality of piglets

Abstract

Colostrum production and composition of 45 Alentejano (AL) and 45 crossed (Large-White × Landrace, LL) sows together with consumption and passive immunization of piglets, were evaluated. Piglets were weighed at birth, 24h, and 21 and 28 days of age. Colostrum was collected, chemically analysed and immunoglobulin G (IgG) determined. On piglets, serum IgG concentrations were determined at 2d and 28d of age. Alentejano piglets consumed 19% less colostrum than LL piglets (267 vs 328 g; p<0.001), but when adjusted for birth weight, the difference between genotypes was not significant (p=0.891). Alentejano sows produced less colostrum (1985±139 g vs 3761±139 g, p<0.001) than LL sows, even after adjustment for litter birth weight. IgG concentrations were higher in AL colostrum at 12 h and 36 h after the onset of farrowing. They were higher in AL than in LL piglets (p=0.025) and higher at 2d than at 28d of age (p<0.001). Mortality rate of piglets until d21 post-farrowing was higher in AL genotype (27% vs 16.1%, p<0.001). In both genotypes main factors influencing piglet mortality were birth weight and colostrum intake (g/kg birth weight). Higher mortality in AL than in LL genotype was attributable to the higher proportion (28.7% vs 11.6%, p<0.001) of light piglets. It is concluded that for similar birth weight, both AL and LL piglets have a similar ability to ingest colostrum and that AL sows are less able to produce colostrum than LL sows. IgG concentrations of colostrum and of piglets serum were higher in AL than in LL genotype.Additional key words: neonatal pig; birth weight; birth order; colostrum composition; immunoglobulin G; survival.

Relationship between birth order, birth weight, colostrum intake, acquisition of passive immunity and pre-weaning mortality of piglets

“…In this study, this is illustrated by the fact that 43% of stillbirths were born in the last quarter of RBO, which is in accordance with the previous results of Herpin et al (1996), Pedersen et al (2011) and Rootwelt et al (2012). However, post-natal mortality was similar across deciles suggesting that mortality of live born piglets was evenly distributed in the birth order which is in agreement with Cabrera et al (2012) and Charneca et al (2015). Present study indicates that birth weight and CI are the major determinants of post-natal mortality.…”

“…The pattern of colostrum IgG concentrations over the first 36 hours after the onset of parturition was similar to that previously reported (Klobasa et al, 1987;Rooke et al, 2003;Markoswska-Daniel et al, 2010;Charneca et al, 2015). The fact that the serum IgG concentrations at 2 d of age were lower in lateborn piglets than in their earlier born littermates is in agreement with the findings of de Passillé et al (1988), , Devillers et al (2007) and Cabrera et al (2012).…”

“…An important factor accounting for this variability was the piglet birth weight. In this study, CI increased 26 g per 100 g increase in birth weight, which is similar to the increase of CIs (22-28 g) found by Devillers et al (2007) and Charneca et al (2015). In agreement with Fraser & Rushen (1992) and Devillers et al (2007), birth order had no significant effect on CI despite later born piglets had shorter time and greater competition to suck.…”

“…In contrast, several authors reported that piglets born earlier during farrowing were heavier than those born later (Friend& Cunningham, 1966;Hartsock & Graves, 1976;and Motsi et al, 2006). Average colostrum production of sows and CI of piglets 6 were similar to that previously described in the literature: 3.4-4.9 kg/sow and 300-380 g/piglet (Devillers et al, 2007;Quesnel, 2011;Loisel et al, 2013;Charneca et al, 2015). Moreover, colostrum production was independent from litter size (SP) and litter weight.…”

Colostrum immune quality of local sow breed in Benin: Growth, survival and acquisition of passive immunity in new-born piglet

“…According to Le Dividich et al (2004), piglet WG from birth to 24 h of age is a marker of individual colostrum intake. According to this observation and in agreement with Ferrari et al (2014) and Charneca et al (2015), BW and colostrum intake are the major determinants of survival of local breed piglets under the sow.…”