Preliminary Study: Depriving Piglets of Maternal Feces for the First Seven Days Post-Partum Changes Piglet Physiology and Performance before and after Weaning

Abstract

Coprophagy has been described in piglets although its importance has not been fully assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate how deprivation of maternal feces influenced piglet physiology, behavior, and performance. Eight litters were randomly assigned to one of two treatments. Control (CON) litters had access to maternal feces while deprived (DEP) litters were deprived of maternal feces for the first 7 d post-partum. Piglet behavior was quantified for 24 h at 7 d of age. Blood samples were collected from one male and female from each litter at 0, 7, and 21 d for hematological analyses, and post-weaning performance was assessed until 123 d post-weaning. No treatment effects were observed on piglet behavior. DEP piglets had 25% lower leukocyte counts (p < 0.01). Relative to DEP litters, CON litters had increased post-weaning feed intake (0.998 vs 0.901 kg/d; p = 0.02) and weight gain (0.536 vs 0.483 kg/d; p < 0.01). At 123 d post-weaning, CON pigs were 9.3 ± 2.3 kg heavier than treatment pigs (p < 0.01). These results suggest that access to maternal feces improves immunocompetence and growth performance. Further studies are needed to explore the physiological mechanisms through which maternal feces improve growth performance, including nutritional and microbial factors, or the presence of maternal semiochemicals.

Identification of Faecal Maternal Semiochemicals in Swine (Sus scrofa) and their Effects on Weaned Piglets

“…Although not fully studied, scientists believed that coprophagy helps piglets to prevent anaemia 3,[6][7][8][9][10][11] . In a previous study, we found that piglets deprived of maternal faeces for their first seven days of age had lower growth rate than those exposed to maternal faeces early in life 12 . In this study, we speculated that, as in rats, maternal semiochemicals might be attracting piglets and inducing coprophagy 12 .…”

“…In a previous study, we found that piglets deprived of maternal faeces for their first seven days of age had lower growth rate than those exposed to maternal faeces early in life 12 . In this study, we speculated that, as in rats, maternal semiochemicals might be attracting piglets and inducing coprophagy 12 . However, to date, changes in the nutritional value of lactating sow faeces and in its volatile profile has not been evaluated.…”

“…Based on these results, consumption of maternal faeces will result in the ingestion of minerals and nutrients that could be beneficial to piglets. This could explain why deprivation of maternal faeces reduced piglet performance 12 . A total of 26 VOCs were found in sow faecal matter by GC/MS analysis.…”

Faecal Microbiota Analysis of Piglets During Lactation

“…This is to be expected as the diet changes significantly post-weaning. Alternately, piglets are known to exhibit coprophagy [34], which in turn would aid in the development of the microbiota and suggests that this change may be a function of natural gut maturation as piglets age.…”

Characterisation of Early Microbial Colonisers within the Spiral Colon of Pre- and Post-Natal Piglets

“…These results support the importance of farrowing crate cleanliness but also highlight the possible impact of sow faeces on the initial bacteria colonising the GIT. Indeed, piglets are born onto the region of the crate where the sow urinates and defecates, however, whether this is positive or negative is yet to be elucidated as studies within our research group and others are conflicting [ 44 ]. Previous studies have also documented the high prevalence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in early life, particularly in regard to C. perfringens in pigs [ 39 , 45 ].…”