Primiparous sow behaviour on the day of farrowing as one of the primary contributors to the growth of piglets in early lactation

Abstract

Large White and Meishan sows differ in maternal ability and early piglet growth. We investigated the relationships between 100 maternal traits, grouped into 11 blocks according to the biological function they describe and litter growth over three successive periods after birth (D0-D1, D1-D3 and D3-D7; D0 starting at the onset of farrowing), as a measure of sow investment in early piglet production. Within-and between-breed variation was exploited to cover a maximum of the variability existing in pig maternal populations. The objective was to quantify the contribution of maternal traits, including functional traits and behavioural traits, to early litter growth. Multivariate analyses were used to depict correlations among traits. A partial least square multiblock analysis allowed quantifying the effect of maternal traits on early growth traits. Partial triadic analyses highlighted how sow behaviour changed with days, and whether it resulted in changes in litter growth. Several behavioural traits (standing activity, reactivity to different stimuli, postural activity) and functional traits (body reserves, udder quality) at farrowing contributed substantially to litter growth from D0 to D7. Sow aggression towards piglets and time spent standing at D0 were unfavourably correlated to D1-D3 litter growth. Time spent lying with udder exposed at D0 was favourably correlated to D1-D3 litter growth. The farrowing duration was negatively correlated to D0-D1 and D1-D3 litter growth. Furthermore, D3-D7 litter growth was positively correlated to feed intake in the same period. Several behavioural traits and some functional traits influence early litter growth. The contribution of sow behaviour was greater in the critical period around farrowing than in later days.Scarce information exists on the determinism of neonatal growth in piglets. Studies based on birth weight tend to indicate that early growth contributes to piglet survival and growth until weaning [1][2][3][4][5] . Like in other mammalian species, growth depends mainly on the dam maternal ability, which encompasses a large set of physiological, functional and behavioural features. Maternal effects are predominant until weaning, to determine litter growth 6,7 . They are reflected in milk production 8-10 which results from hormonal changes, the use of body reserves built in gestation 11 and feed intake 12 . Other functional characteristics come into play to define piglet production. Piglet suckling activity 9,13,14 depends on teat functioning, and even the teat interval influences milk consumption along the udder according to litter size [15][16][17] .Upstream of piglet births, the cascade of endocrine and behavioural changes in the sow can have major consequences on piglet production if changes are not sequenced adequately. The endocrine changes that occur prior to farrowing influence the later farrowing and lactation processes. They stimulate nest building 18 depending on environmental factors such as the provision of space and straw 19 . Satisfactory nest-building act...