Coping with large litters: the management of neonatal piglets and sow reproduction

Abstract

As a result of intensive breeding, litter size has considerably increased in pig production over the last three decades. This has resulted in an increase in farrowing complications. Prolonged farrowing will shorten the window for suckling colostrum and reduce the chances for high-quality colostrum intake. Studies also agree that increasing litter sizes concomitantly resulted in decreased piglet birth weight and increased within-litter birth weight variations. Birth weight, however, is one of the critical factors affecting the prognosis of colostrum intake, and piglet growth, welfare, and survival. Litters of uneven birth weight distribution will suffer and lead to increased piglet mortality before weaning. The proper management is key to handle the situation. Feeding strategies before farrowing, management routines during parturition (e.g., drying and moving piglets to the udder and cross-fostering) and feeding an energy source to piglets after birth may be beneficial management tools with large litters. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)-driven recovery from energy losses during lactation appears critical for supporting follicle development, the viability of oocytes and embryos, and, eventually, litter uniformity. This paper explores certain management routines for neonatal piglets that can lead to the optimization of their colostrum intake and thereby their survival in large litters. In addition, this paper reviews the evidence concerning nutritional factors, particularly lactation feeding that may reduce the loss of sow body reserves, affecting the growth of the next oocyte generation. In conclusion, decreasing birth weight and compromised immunity are subjects warranting investigation in the search for novel management tools. Furthermore, to increase litter uniformity, more focus should be placed on nutritional factors that affect IGF-1-driven follicle development before ovulation.

Effects of cooling systems on physiological responses and intestinal microflora in early gestating sows exposed to high-temperature stress

“…Early or late gestating sows exposed to HS produce fewer embryos that show lower survival as well as decreased litter sizes [ 8 ]. These results may be due to negative energy balance by low feed intake, which influence quality or development of oocyte, follicle and embryos by previous review [ 9 ]. In particular, pre- and post-mating periods to sows are important because ovulation rates are positively affected in uterine viable embryos [ 10 ] and in both size and average weight of litter [ 11 ].…”

Molecular characterization of gut microbiome in weaning pigs supplemented with multi-strain probiotics using metagenomic, culturomic, and metabolomic approaches

“…Piglets are sensitive to nutritional, psychological, and physiological stress during weaning due to changes in food and ambient circumstances, which could result in accelerating taxonomic and functional alterations in the gut microbiome [ 34 – 36 ]. The administration of probiotics to piglets has shown a mechanism for preventing pathogen adhesion to the intestinal barrier and modulating the immune system [ 12 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Milk Supplementation: Effect on piglets performance, feeding behavior and sows physiological condition during the lactation period

“…Milk intake is crucial for the piglets' survival and growth. The milk intake of the piglets can be affected by the sow's milk production, litter size, survival, and welfare (Peltoniemi et al 2021). Milk supplementation can improve the milk intake and nutrient intake of the piglets.…”