Impact of early socialization environment on social behavior, physiology and growth performance of weaned piglets

Ji, Wenbo; Bi, Yanju; Cheng, Zheng; Liu, Runze; Zhang, Xiaohong; Shu, Yufu; Li, Xin; Bao, Jun; Liu, Honggui

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105314

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The presence of these downregulated genes indicated that the intestinal status of piglets in the ISC group was relatively healthier than the CON group. In our previous study, ISC exposure during lactation had a positive effect on the digestion and absorption of protein, vitamins, and minerals and intestinal health of piglets, which also confirms the low FCR of piglets in the ISC group (Ji et al, 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

“…In addition, enriched social contact in early life reduces skin damage, and the content of stress biomarkers and increases the play behavior of weaned piglets (Salazar et al, 2018 ; Ko et al, 2020 ). Our recent study also showed that the lactating enriched social experience reduced the cortisol level and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of piglets during regrouping and increased the daily gain weight (Ji et al, 2021 ). Thus, enriched social contact during lactation is beneficial for the growth and welfare of piglets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Socializing Models During Lactation Alter Colonic Mucosal Gene Expression and Fecal Microbiota of Growing Piglets

Wei

Nian

et al. 2022

Front. Microbiol.

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The enrichment of the social environment during lactation alleviates the stress of weaned piglets. It is significant to understand how the enriched social environment improves the weaning stress of piglets. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of colonic mucosa, 16S rRNA sequencing of feces, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) of colonic content were used to determine the effects of social contact during lactation. In this study, thirty litter lactating piglets were divided into intermittent social contact (ISC) group that contacted with neighbors intermittently, continuous social contact (CSC) group that contacted with neighbors starting at day (D) 14 after birth, and control (CON) group in which piglets were kept in their original litter. The piglets were weaned at D35 and regrouped at D36. The colonic mucosal RNA-seq, fecal microbes, and SCFAs of colonic contents of 63-day-old piglets were analyzed. The results of RNA-seq showed that compared with the CON group, the pathways of digestion and absorption of minerals, protein, and vitamins of piglets were changed in the ISC group, whereas the pathways of retinol metabolism and nitrogen metabolism in the colonic mucosal were affected and stimulated the immune response in the CSC group. Compared with the CON group, the abundances of pernicious microorganisms (Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, Brevundimonas, etc.) in the CSC group and pernicious microorganisms (Desulfovibrio, Neisseria, Sutterella, etc.) and beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Megamonas, and Prevotella_9) in the ISC group were significantly higher (p < 0.05). The abundances of proinflammatory bacteria (Coriobacteriaceae_unclassified, Coprococcus_3, and Ruminococcus_2) in the CSC group were significantly increased (p < 0.05), but the abundances of SCFAs producing bacteria (Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, Parabacteroides, Anaerotruncus, etc.) and those of anti-inflammatory bacteria (Eubacterium, Parabacteroides, Ruminiclostridium_9, and Alloprevotella) were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the CSC group. Compared with the CON group, the concentrations of microbial metabolites, acetate, and propionate in the colonic contents were reduced (p < 0.05) in the ISC group, whereas the concentration of acetate was reduced (p < 0.05) in the CSC group. Therefore, both ISC and CSC during lactation affected the composition of fecal microbes and changed the expression of intestinal mucosal genes related to nutrient metabolism and absorption of piglets.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 74%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Socializing Models During Lactation Alter Colonic Mucosal Gene Expression and Fecal Microbiota of Growing Piglets

Wei

Nian

et al. 2022

Front. Microbiol.

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“…Thus, early socialised piglets showed a clear advantage-whether in pure early socialised groups or in mixed groups of early socialised and conventionally reared piglets. In contrast to other studies where piglets were unfamiliar with each other, but had been exposed to the same environment/treatment, [12][13][14][15]17 we mixed early socialised with non-socialised piglets (Gr/Co). Concerning this aspect, there is little information available in the literature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In some studies, it was even shown that early socialised piglets were less aggressive or less injured when they met unfamiliar piglets after weaning. [12][13][14][15] However, these piglets had been exposed to the same environment/treatment (i.e., early socialised piglets encountered other early socialised piglets). Therefore, the aim of the present pilot study was to elucidate whether early socialisation of suckling piglets in a group housing system for lactating sows reduces their aggressive behaviour towards unknown penmates (without early socialisation) as well, and thus, may have positive effects on animal welfare.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, taking into account an increasingly work‐sharing pig production with a transfer of weaned piglets to specialised farms for rearing and fattening, it seems hardly realistic to mix only piglets that are familiar with each other from the suckling period. In some studies, it was even shown that early socialised piglets were less aggressive or less injured when they met unfamiliar piglets after weaning 12–15 . However, these piglets had been exposed to the same environment/treatment (i.e., early socialised piglets encountered other early socialised piglets).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Early socialisation in group lactation system reduces post‐weaning aggression in piglets

2021

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Background: Pre-weaning group housing for sows and their litters is expected to enhance animal welfare. However, knowledge of potential benefits of preweaning socialisation for piglets after weaning is still lacking. Methods: Weaner pigs were mixed in groups of 10, using littermates (LM) from pre-weaning group housing (Gr) and from farrowing pens with crates (Co). Groups were formed as follows: Gr/Gr (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Gr), Gr/Co (5 LM from Gr + 5 LM from Co), Co/Co (5 LM from Co + 5 LM from Co). Results: During 24 h after mixing, piglets in Co/Co fought more than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Piglets in Co/Co had more unclear fighting results than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Four days after mixing, piglets in Co/Co were more injured than in Gr/Co and Gr/Gr. Conclusion: Early socialised piglets may have better social skills when meeting familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics after weaning.

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Aggression in group-housed sows, weaners, and grower-finisher pigs

Verdon,

Rault

2024

Advances in Pig Welfare

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Impact of early socialization environment on social behavior, physiology and growth performance of weaned piglets

Cited by 15 publications

References 43 publications

Socializing Models During Lactation Alter Colonic Mucosal Gene Expression and Fecal Microbiota of Growing Piglets

Socializing Models During Lactation Alter Colonic Mucosal Gene Expression and Fecal Microbiota of Growing Piglets

Early socialisation in group lactation system reduces post‐weaning aggression in piglets

Aggression in group-housed sows, weaners, and grower-finisher pigs

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