Postpartum dysgalactia syndrome in sows: effects on behavior of sows and piglets

Abstract

Background To investigate if specific sow and piglet behavioral characteristics could be used diagnostically, this case-cohort study of the behavior of sows and piglets during the periparturient period (from 24 h before the birth of first piglet to 24 h after the birth of last piglet) was conducted. Data included 32 sows diagnosed with PDS (PDS+) vs. 37 healthy matched controls (PDS−) and their litters. Results A significant change from active behavior with many postural changes to a more passive behavior was noted in connection with parturition. Sow nesting behavior was less frequent in PDS+ sows compared to PDS− sows during (p = 0.04) and after parturition (p = 0.0004). No difference was found between PDS+ and PDS− in the number of postural changes, interval from last time standing to the birth of the first piglet, interval from last time eating/drinking to the birth of the first piglet, interval from the birth of the first piglet to the sow standing after farrowing, interval from the birth of the last piglet until eating/drinking, occurrence of bar biting, or frequency or duration of eating/drinking during the observation period. Piglets of PDS+ sows stayed outside the creep areas more often than piglets of PDS− sows (p < 0.0001), but there was no difference in the mean number of piglets observed massaging the udder every 10 min. Conclusion These results confirm that sow behavior changes from active before parturition to more passive after parturition. Being diagnosed with PDS affected the periparturient behavior of sows as well as their piglets. The observed reduction in nesting behavior in PDS+ sows may suggest that a highly motivated piglet-oriented behavior was affected. However, classical sickness behaviors like lethargy and passivity seem to be poor markers for PDS.

Reproductive health of the sow during puerperium

“…Unfortunately, behavior assessment is subjective and there are physiological behavioral changes during the peripartum period, that is, sows have a natural preference for passive lying behavior during the peripartum period (Oliviero et al, 2008). However, sows and piglets may express mild changes in behavior if affected by PPDS (Kaiser et al, 2022). Fever and decreased appetite can decrease physical activity of the sow and may therefore be used to differentiate sows with PPDS from healthy sows (Kaiser, Jacobson, et al, 2018).…”

“…Piglets of diseased sows stayed more often outside the creep areas than piglets of healthy sows. However, classical sickness behaviors like lethargy and passivity seem to be poor markers for PPDS (Kaiser et al, 2022). These findings support PPDS as being most often subclinical, and that the disease leads to dysgalactia due to metabolic and endocrine disturbance and therefore affects sows' nesting behavior and piglet behavior (Martineau et al, 2013).…”

“…Moreover, piglets may express behavioral changes through starvation and hypothermia-increased noisiness, decreased alertness and being less active near the sow (Edwards & Baxter, 2015). Kaiser et al (2022) investigated whether specific sow and piglet behavioral characteristics could be used diagnostically. The study revealed that nesting behavior was less frequent in diseased sows compared with healthy sows during and after parturition.…”