Impact of parturition induction, farrowing environment and birth weight class on endocrine and metabolic plasma parameters related to piglet vitality.

Abstract

Background: High pre-weaning mortality rate in pig husbandry is not acceptable across all production systems. Successful neonatal adaptation is key to improve piglet vitality and survival, which could be increased through adequate management practices around parturition. In this study, vitality parameters in German Landrace piglets (n = 96) are evaluated based on (i) the use or omission of hormonal parturition induction and (ii) the farrowing environment, i.e., crates (1.0 m²) or pens (6.5 m²). In addition, the effects of (iii) the allocation to birth weight classes were analysed. The aim was to quantify plasma metabolites with significance for organ maturation and energy utilization in neonates and suckling piglets with different birth weights as a function of the hormonal induction of parturition and farrowing environment in a longitudinal approach.

Results: Farrowing traits including litter size, stillborn piglets, and inter-farrowing intervals did not differ due to parturition induction nor farrowing environment (P > 0.05). Piglets from spontaneous parturitions required less time until the first suckling event (P < 0.05) and had higher rectal temperatures after 24 h than piglets from induced parturition (P < 0.05). Spontaneously born piglets exhibited lower plasma glucose (1d; 4d) and lactate levels (4d), but higher levels of NEFA (4d), total protein (4d; 20d), and blood urea nitrogen (1d; 20d) compared to piglets from induced parturitions (P < 0.05). This suggests higher organ maturation and that proteins are probably utilised primarily for growth rather than energy production during the neonatal adaptation phase, i.e., the first four days postnatum. Pen-born piglets exhibited lower glucose (1d; 4d), lower inositol (0.5-6.0 h; 1d), higher urea (0.5-6.0 h), and higher creatinine levels (0.5-6.0 h; 1d; 29d) compared to piglets from crated dams (P < 0.05), suggesting differences in energy metabolism, renal function, and physical activity between the two farrowing environments. Hypotrophic piglets showed lower plasma glucose concentrations (1d; 4d) and higher cortisol (1d; 4d) and NEFA levels (4d) indicating lipid mobilisation and induction of gluconeogenesis via muscle protein catabolism (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Sow management, i.e., the induced parturition using exogenous hormones as well as the applied farrowing environment are reflected in plasma metabolite profiles of piglets and must be critically questioned in routine use with regard to the effects on piglet development.