Association of colostrum traits with the farrowing process and reproductive performance of sows in a free farrowing system

IF 2.5 2区农林科学 Q3 REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Theriogenology Pub Date : 2025-10-10 DOI:10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117708

Lea Käser , Laura Jahn , Rupert Bruckmaier , Alexander Grahofer

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Colostrum is vital for neonatal piglets, supplying energy, immunoglobulins, hormones, and other bioactive compounds critical for early survival. Beyond its nutritional role, colostrum also reflects the sow's physiological and hormonal state during the periparturient period. This study investigated associations between colostrum composition, farrowing traits, and reproductive performance in a free farrowing system. Sixty sows were monitored, and colostrum samples (5–10 mL) were collected after the birth of the first piglet. Concentrations of progesterone, albumin, and alpha-lactalbumin were measured in colostrum serum. Farrowing characteristics and litter outcomes were recorded.

Across all sows, 897 piglets were born and the mean farrowing duration was 242 min. Colostrum progesterone averaged 21.6 ± 10.8 ng/mL, albumin 7.33 ± 1.47 mg/mL, and alpha-lactalbumin 1602.7 ± 506.9 ng/mL. Progesterone concentrations were positively correlated with albumin (r = 0.29; p = 0.02) and alpha-lactalbumin (r = 0.38; p = 0.002). Progesterone also correlated positively with log-transformed farrowing duration (r = 0.27; p = 0.03), piglet to placenta expulsion duration (r = 0.26; p = 0.04), and incidence of severe meconium staining (r = 0.27; p = 0.04). Sows requiring more than one obstetrical intervention had significantly higher progesterone concentrations (25.9 ng/mL) compared to those with none or one intervention (19.3 ng/mL; p = 0.02).

This study is the first to link specific colostrum traits with farrowing outcomes in a free farrowing system, suggesting colostrum progesterone, despite its low correlation, may serve as an indicator for prolonged farrowing.

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自由分娩制下母猪初乳性状与分娩期和繁殖性能的关系。

初乳对新生仔猪至关重要，提供能量、免疫球蛋白、激素和其他对早期生存至关重要的生物活性化合物。除了营养作用外，初乳还反映了母猪在围产期的生理和激素状态。本研究探讨了自由分娩系统中初乳成分、生育性状和繁殖性能之间的关系。对60头母猪进行监测，在首头仔猪出生后采集初乳样品（5-10 mL）。测定初乳血清中黄体酮、白蛋白和α -乳白蛋白的浓度。记录产仔特征和产仔结局。在所有母猪中，共有897头仔猪出生，平均分娩时间为242分钟。初乳黄体酮平均为21.6±10.8 ng/mL，白蛋白平均为7.33±1.47 mg/mL， α -乳清蛋白平均为1602.7±506.9 ng/mL。孕酮浓度与白蛋白（r = 0.29; p = 0.02）和α -乳清蛋白（r = 0.38; p = 0.002）呈正相关。孕酮还与对数转化产胎持续时间（r = 0.27, p = 0.03）、仔猪到胎盘排出持续时间（r = 0.26, p = 0.04）和重度胎粪染色发生率（r = 0.27, p = 0.04）呈正相关。需要一次以上产科干预的母猪孕酮浓度（25.9 ng/mL）明显高于没有干预或一次干预的母猪（19.3 ng/mL; p = 0.02）。这项研究首次在自由分娩系统中将特定的初乳性状与分娩结果联系起来，表明初乳黄体酮尽管相关性较低，但可能作为延长分娩的指标。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Theriogenology 农林科学-生殖生物学

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

14.30%

发文量

387

审稿时长

72 days

期刊介绍： Theriogenology provides an international forum for researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals in animal reproductive biology. This acclaimed journal publishes articles on a wide range of topics in reproductive and developmental biology, of domestic mammal, avian, and aquatic species as well as wild species which are the object of veterinary care in research or conservation programs.