Effect of litter birth weight standardization before first suckling on colostrum intake, passive immunization, pre-weaning survival, and growth of the piglets.

Within-litter variation in birth weight is a relevant factor in pig production. This study aimed at comparing pre-weaning mortality, colostrum intake (CI), passive immunization, and growth of piglets from litters of uniform (UN) or heterogeneous (HET) birth weights. The study included 52 multiparous sows (Large White × Landrace) and their litters. Two types of litters were constituted based on birth weight, namely: UN or HET, the control group, using piglets from two to three sows farrowing approximately at the same time. At birth, piglets were weighed, identified, and placed in a box under an IR lamp. At the end of farrowing, piglets were re-weighed and allotted to groups UN or HET (12 per litter) with average weights of 1394 and 1390 g, respectively, and allowed to suckle (time 0). They were re-weighed 24 h later to estimate CI and sows' colostrum yield. At time 0, the average intra-litter CV (%) in weight of experimental litters were 9.3 ±â€¯0.8 (SEM) and 27.8 ±â€¯0.7 in groups UN and HET, respectively (P < 0.001). At 2 days of age, blood samples were taken from the piglets of 11 litters five UN and six HET) and serum Immunoglobulin G (IgG) contents were determined. Mean CI/piglet/litter was similar in both groups, that is, 415 ±â€¯13 in UN and 395 ±â€¯13 g in HET (P = 0.28), but was less variable in UN litters (CV = 22.4 ±â€¯2 vs 36.0 ±â€¯2%, P < 0.001). The IgG levels at 2 days of age were higher in piglets from UN litters (22.5 ±â€¯0.8 vs 18.4 ±â€¯0.7 g/l; P < 0.001) but the CV of IgG levels was not different between litter type (P= 0.46). Mortality up to 21 days of age was lower in UN litters (6.4 vs 11.9%, P = 0.03). The BW at 21 days was not different between litter type (P = 0.25) but it was less variable among piglets from UN litters (CV: 17.1 ±â€¯1.3 vs 25.7 ±â€¯1.3%; P = 0.01). Results reveal that CI is less variable and mortality is lower in piglets from litters of UN birth weight. The results infer that genetic improvement to decrease variation in birth weight within-litter could have a positive effect on homogeneous CI and thus contribute to reducing piglet mortality.

Improvement of growth performance and sanitary status of weaned piglets fed a bovine colostrum-supplemented diet.

The present study investigated the effect of 3 different durations of feeding a diet supplemented with defatted bovine colostrum (Col) on growth performance and sanitary status of the weaned piglet. At 28 d of age, piglets were weaned and fed 1 of the 2 following diets: a control (Ctrl) starter diet or a starter diet supplemented with Col. Two experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, 310 piglets (12 pens consisting of 10 piglets/pen and 10 pens consisting of 19 piglets/pen) were allocated to 1 of the 2 dietary treatments for 12 d. In Exp. 2, 522 piglets (18 pens consisting of 10 piglets/pen and 18 pens consisting of 19 piglets/pen) were allocated to 1 of the following 3 dietary treatments: fed the Ctrl diet from d 1 to 12 (Ctrl), Col diet from d 1 to 4 and then the Ctrl diet up to d 12 (Col-4d), or the Col diet from d 1 to 6 and then the Ctrl diet up to d 12 (Col-6d). For both experiments, a commercial second-phase diet was fed to piglets from d 12 to 46. Feed intake, growth performance, and cleanliness of floor and hindquarters of animals were investigated during the first 7 wk postweaning. In Exp. 1, from d 0 to 12, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were 16 (P = 0.004), 23 (P < 0.001), and 5% (P = 0.069) greater, respectively, in Col piglets compared with Ctrl piglets. Thereafter, ADFI and ADG were 7 (P < 0.001) and 9% (P < 0.001) greater, respectively, in Col piglets than Ctrl piglets (d 12 to 46). On d 12 after weaning, piglets fed the Col diet had more normal feces (+13%) and less soft or liquid feces (-9 and -4%, respectively) than piglets fed the Ctrl diet (P = 0.06). Compared with Ctrl piglets, feeding the Col diet led to more days with normal feces for the floor cleanliness (+22%; P < 0.001) from d 7 to 11. In Exp. 2, compared with Ctrl piglets, ADFI, ADG, and G:F were 8, 23, and 13% greater (P < 0.05) in Col-6d piglets from d 0 to 9, whereas values for Col-4d piglets were intermediate and did not differ from the values of the other dietary treatments. On d 9 after weaning, piglets fed the Col-4d or the Col-6d diet had more normal feces (+6 and +4%, respectively) and less liquid feces (-4 and -3%, respectively) than piglets fed the Ctrl diet (P = 0.08). No long lasting effects were observed thereafter. In conclusion, there was a reduction of weaning-induced growth check and diarrheal episodes in weaned piglets fed the Col diet. The beneficial effects of the bovine colostrum were observed beyond the period of treatment when the supplementation covered the first 6 d postweaning, which corresponded to the acute phase of postweaning digestive disturbances.

Effect of organic and inorganic selenium sources in sow diets on colostrum production and piglet response to a poor sanitary environment after weaning.

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of the chemical form of selenium (Se) fed to sows (1) on production and immune quality of colostrum and (2) on piglet response to a deterioration of sanitary conditions after weaning. Twenty-two pregnant sows were assigned to receive a diet supplemented with 0.3 ppm Se from either sodium selenite (inorganic Se) or Se-enriched yeast (organic Se as Sel-Plex®; Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY, USA). Dietary treatments were applied during the last month of pregnancy and lactation. Blood samples were collected on sows before dietary treatment, on the day of weaning and 6 weeks later, and on three to five piglets within litters at birth, at weaning and 6 weeks post weaning. Whole blood was analysed for Se concentration. Colostrum samples were collected at 0, 3, 6 and 24 h post partum and milk samples on days 14 and 27 of lactation. Colostrum and milk were analysed for Se and immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations. At weaning, 40 pairs of littermate piglets were moved to rooms where sanitary conditions were good or purposely deteriorated. Piglets were reared individually and fed ad libitum. After 15 days, piglets and feed refusals were weighed and a blood sample was collected to measure plasma haptoglobin concentration. When sows were fed organic Se, Se concentrations were increased by 33% in colostrum (P < 0.05), 89% in milk (P < 0.001) and by 28% in whole blood of piglets at weaning (P < 0.001). Colostrum production during the 24 h after the onset of farrowing and IgG concentrations in colostrum and milk did not significantly differ between the two groups of sows. Weaned piglets reared in good sanitary conditions grew faster (P < 0.001) than piglets housed in poor conditions. Sanitary conditions did not influence mean plasma haptoglobin concentrations of piglets (P > 0.1). The source of Se fed to the dams did not influence piglet performance or haptoglobin concentrations after weaning. These findings confirm that, compared with inorganic Se, organic Se fed to the dam is better transferred to colostrum and milk, and consequently to piglets. They indicate that the Se source influences neither colostrum production nor IgG concentrations in colostrum, and that the higher Se contents of piglets does not limit the reduction of growth performance when weaning occurs in experimentally deteriorated sanitary conditions.

Proliferation and differentiation of stromal-vascular cells in primary culture differ between neonatal pigs consuming maternal or formula milk.

Proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes from 7-d-old pigs consuming maternal or formula milk were examined in primary culture of stromal-vascular (s-v) cells derived from subcutaneous adipose tissue. Unsuckled pigs were bottle-fed isoenergetically with colostrum and then sow's milk (SM) or with formula milk alone (F) from birth to 7 d. Isolated cells were exposed to serum-supplemented medium and serum-free medium to determine proliferation and differentiation, respectively. Proliferation estimated between d 3 and 4 of culture was higher (P<0.05) in cells from F than SM pigs. In addition, the number of s-v cells isolated from 1 g of adipose tissue was higher (P<0.01) in F than SM pigs. Variables assessing differentiation were also affected. The percentage of differentiating cells and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity were lower (P<0.05) in F than SM pigs, whereas malic enzyme (ME) activity did not differ significantly between the two groups. In conclusion, formula milk increased the number of s-v cells and their capacity for proliferation, whereas the potential for cell differentiation was lower compared with cells from the maternal milk group. Further studies are required to identify the growth and/or nutritional factors that are implicated in the observed differences and to determine whether subsequent development of adipose tissue is affected.

Energy metabolism in pregnant sows and newborn pigs.

Measurements of heat production(HP; indirect calorimetry) and its partition between maintenance, physical activity, thermoregulation, and thermic effect of feed or energy gain were carried out in sows maintained in different situations: primiparous or multiparous; pregnant or nonpregnant; thermoneutral or cold conditions; varied feeding levels; and varied body weights (BW). Metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance average 420 kJ/kg BW.75 at thermoneutrality and moderate physical activity. This value is not significantly affected by parity, pregnancy, and stage of pregnancy. Physical activity is a major factor causing differences in energy balance between sows because activity is variable and its energy cost (27 kJ.kg BW-.75.100 min-1 standing) is four to five times higher than in other species. Lower critical temperature (LCT) is approximately 20 degrees C in pregnant and individually housed sows, and daily HP is increased by approximately 15 kJ/kg BW.75 for each degree Celsius decrease of ambient temperature below LCT. Efficiencies of utilization of ME for meeting energy requirements for maintenance, maternal gain, and uterine gain are 77, 75, and 50%, respectively. Equations for predicting energy deposition in the uterus and mammary gland are proposed. In addition to activity and thermoregulation, energy requirements of pregnant sows depend on body reserves of energy. Studies with newborn pigs indicate that they are quite sensitive to ambient temperature (i.e., +25 J.kg BW-.75.min-1 for each degree Celsius decrease of temperature), and their LCT is 32 to 34 degrees C. The energy demand of pigs for thermoregulation just after birth relies mainly on carbohydrates from glycogen reserves or colostrum. Survival of newborn pigs is highly dependent on the supply of colostrum.

Effect of fat content of colostrum on voluntary colostrum intake and fat utilization in newborn pigs.

The effects of colostral fat level on voluntary colostrum and ME intake were determined in 25 newborn pigs during the first postnatal day. Within a litter, five pigs were obtained before nursing and allotted on the basis of initial body weight (BW) at 2 h of age to one of the five treatments: killed or ad libitum bottle-fed sow colostrum containing 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0% of total fat. A total of 24 feedings was provided at 60-min intervals, and pigs were killed 1 h after the final feeding. Total colostrum intake averaged 584.8 +/- 42 g (i.e., 436 g/kg of average BW) with the first two feedings accounting for 19.8% of the total consumption. Colostrum intake decreased linearly (P < .08) by 5.9 g/kg of average BW per 1% increase in the level of fat. However, GE and ME intake increased linearly (P < .01) by 7.65 and 4.09 kcal/kg average BW per 1.0 g/kg of average BW increase in fat intake, respectively. Adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase increased (P < .01) during the first postnatal day. Carcass fat deposition and fat oxidation increased linearly (P < .01) by .36 and .20 g/kg of average BW per 1.0 g/kg of average BW increase in fat intake, respectively. We suggest that increasing the fat content in colostrum has little effect on voluntary colostrum intake, and the practice may be an efficient method for improving the energy supply to newborn pigs.

Cold-induced changes in circulating levels of catecholamines and thyroid hormones are modulated by energy intake in newborn pigs.

Newborn pigs were kept at a low ambient temperature from 6 until 54 h of age and supplied with a limited (LI, 415 g (kg body weight)-1) or a high (HI, 655 g (kg body weight)-1) intake of milk. At the end of the treatment, both groups had similar deep body temperatures and metabolic rates. However, plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were, respectively, 5.8- and 3.0-fold lower (P < 0.01) in HI than LI piglets, whereas plasma 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) was 1.5-fold higher (P < 0.01) in HI piglets. It is concluded that the hormonal control of cold-induced thermogenesis is modulated by energy intake, with catecholamines and thyroid hormones acting in a closely related and complementary manner.

Assessment of thermoregulatory and postprandial thermogenesis over the first 24 hours after birth in pigs.

Heat production was continuously measured from birth to 24 h after birth in pigs tube-fed 14 g kg-1 of colostrum or water (sham-fed animals) at hourly intervals, and maintained at thermoneutrality (34 degrees C) or in moderate cold (24 degrees C). Results indicate that colostrum was necessary to initiate and sustain the postnatal rise in metabolic rate observed at 34 degrees C. It provided about 75% of the energy required for heat production at 24 degrees C. Heat production was increased by 74% in the cold and decreased by 30% during starvation. In both cases, maintenance of the energy balance was achieved with a compensatory drop in body temperature. At 34 degrees C, variations in postmeal heat production represented 12% of the total 24 h energy expenditure and were almost equally due to the thermogenic effect of colostrum and to confounding factors, including physical activity. In the cold, calculated postmeal thermogenesis accounted only for 3% of 24 h energy expenditure and for 9% of the extra heat produced in the cold. Our results highlight the main role of colostral energy in the energy metabolism of the newborn pig in a typical birth environment (24 degrees C) and in thermoneutral conditions (34 degrees C). Thermoneutral postmeal thermogenesis is low and its contribution to the extra heat produced in the cold very limited.

Utilization of colostral energy by the newborn pig.

Twenty-five newborn pigs were used to evaluate the energy utilization of sow colostrum by pigs maintained for 24 h in respiratory chambers at an environmental temperature of 33 degrees C. Within a litter, five neonatal pigs were obtained before nursing and allotted on the basis of initial body weight (IBW) at 3 h of age to one of the five treatments: killed, fed intragastrically 6, 12, or 18 g of sow colostrum/kg IBW per meal, or fasted. A total of 24 meals at 60-min intervals was provided and pigs were killed 1 h after the last meal. Heat production (HP) was measured by indirect calorimetry and energy retention (ER) was calculated by metabolizable energy (ME)-HP. A balance technique was used to determine nitrogen (N) retention, and comparative slaughter technique (CST) was used to determine fat accretion and glycogen mobilization. The ME intake increased quadratically (P < .01) with the level of colostrum intake. The efficiency of ME for ER was 91 +/- 4%. Nitrogen absorbed was utilized with an efficiency of 89 +/- 3% for N retention, and the estimated energy cost of 1 kcal of protein synthesized was 1.11 +/- .11 kcal. Thermoneutral maintenance ME requirement was low (68.5 kcal.kg avg BW-1 x 24 h-1) because of the low activity of pigs. Fasting heat production (FHP) measured by calorimetry and CST amounted to 56.4 and 60.4 kcal.kg avg BW-1 x 24 h-1, respectively. Estimates of the contribution of glycogen and protein catabolism to FHP were 83.0 and 6.8%, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of low-fat colostrum on fat accretion and lipogenic enzyme activities in adipose tissue in the 1-day-old pig.

Fat accretion, body fatty acid (FA) composition and adipose tissue lipogenic enzyme activities were determined in 1-day-old piglets fed during the first day of life sow colostrum that was either normal (control) or low in fat and high in lactose, galactose or glucose as the sole source of carbohydrate. Malic enzyme activity did not change during the first postnatal day while increases (P < 0.01) were found for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and acetyl-CoA-carboxylase. However, fat accretion was closely dependent on the amount of ingested fat and FA composition of piglets indicates a shift toward that of colostrum, the extent of which was dependent on the amount of ingested fat. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were the highest (P < 0.01) in piglets fed the colostrum high in glucose and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels were the lowest (P < 0.01) in piglets fed the low-fat, high-carbohydrate colostra. Liver weight and glycogen concentration were higher (P < 0.01) in piglets fed the colostra low in fat and high in carbohydrate than in those on the control colostrum. It is suggested that synthesis of fatty acids from carbohydrate is negligible in the newborn pig even in the presence of high plasma insulin and low plasma FFA levels. The metabolic fate of carbohydrate is discussed.

Differential effects of lipid and carbohydrate on enterocyte lactase activity in newborn piglets.

The influence of enteral feeding in the neonate on lactase-phlorizin hydrolase activity in the small intestine has been determined in newborn piglets fed a series of modified colostra, with a controlled metabolizable energy intake, during the first 31.5 h of life. Striking differences were observed between lactase specific activity in mucosal homogenates and enterocyte lactase activity along the villus axis; compared with newborns, the former decreased after feeding colostrum, whereas the latter increased significantly. When lipid was present in adequate amount, the increase in enterocyte lactase activity occurred when carbohydrate was present as either lactose or galactose. However, when the lipid content of the diet was low, there was a specific effect of carbohydrate composition which was dependent on position along the villus axis: in the lower villus, colostra high in lactose or glucose stimulated an increase in lactase, but there was no such effect with a high galactose intake. It is concluded that colostrum increases enterocyte lactase activity during the first day of life, and that this is dependent on both the nutrient composition of the diet and the position of the enterocytes along the villus.

Contribution of colostral fat to thermogenesis and glucose homeostasis in the newborn pig.

This study was designed to determine the effects of colostral fat on energy metabolism, fat oxidation and glucose homeostasis in newborn pigs maintained during the first 29h of life at thermal neutrality (34 degrees C) or in the cold (21 degrees C). Piglets were intragastric fed normal colostrum (NFC, 6% fat) or colostrum deprived of fat (LFC, less than 1% fat). A total of 21 meals of 15 to 18g colostrum/kg birthweight was given at 65- to 70-min intervals. Feeding NFC resulted in a higher amount of retained fat with the highest value being obtained in the 34 degrees C group (P less than 0.01). Fat oxidation represented 47% of the absorbed fat in NFC-fed piglets at 34 degrees C; it was 4.5 fold higher in piglets fed NFC than in those fed LFC (P less than 0.01), and 1.8 fold higher at 21 degrees C than at 34 degrees C (P less than 0.01). At both temperatures, feeding LFC resulted in a lower energy balance (P less than 0.01), whereas nitrogen balance was not affected by temperature and colostrum treatments. At 29 hours of age, rectal temperature was the lowest in piglets fed LFC at 21 degrees C (P less than 0.05). Postnatal enhancement of fat metabolism in relation to environmental and nutritional conditions was evidenced at the tissue level through an adaptation of lipoprotein lipase and cytochrome oxidase activities, especially in the red rhomboideus muscle and the liver.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of colostral fat level on fat deposition and plasma metabolites in the newborn pig.

The effects of colostral fat level on fat deposition and plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, and free fatty acids (FFA) were determined in 28 newborn pigs during the first postnatal day. Soon after birth, pigs were allotted to four treatments groups. Group 1 was killed at birth. The remaining pigs were fed intragastrically sow colostrum that contained high (10.2%; HFC), normal (4.8%; NFC) or low (1.0%; LFC) levels of total fat at the rate of 15 to 18 g/kg birth weight at 65- to 70-min intervals. A total of 21 feedings was provided and pigs were killed 1 h after the last feeding. Body fat deposition increased linearly (P less than .01) with the amount of ingested fat by .32 (+/- .04) g per 1-g increase in fat intake. Fatty acid composition of the pigs changed toward that of the colostrum with increased fat in colostrum. More liver glycogen was lost (P less than .01) in pigs given LFC. Plasma concentrations of glucose and insulin were similar in pigs fed HFC and NFC. After the 11th feeding (14 h postnatal), LFC resulted in lower plasma glucose concentrations (P less than .05) than HFC or NFC. Plasma insulin concentrations also were lower in pigs fed LFC. Plasma FFA concentrations remained unchanged in pigs fed LFC but increased with both fat content in colostrum (P less than .05) and time (P less than .05) in the other two groups. Colostral fat plays a major role in the supply of energy and in glucose homeostasis in the neonatal pig.

Body composition and cold resistance of the neonatal pig from European (Large White) and Chinese (Meishan) breeds.

Body composition, plasma parameters and cold resistance were compared in neonatal pigs from Chinese (Meishan, Ms) and European (Large White, Lw) breeds. Newborn Ms pigs weighed less but had a higher (p less than 0.05) percentage of body dry matter and protein than the Lw pigs, whereas both breeds had similar levels of body fat and liver and muscle glycogen. Plasma concentrations of fructose and alpha-fetoprotein were lower (p less than 0.05) in the newborn Ms pigs. Cold resistance test performed in a 6-7 degrees C environment on the same piglets when aged 2 and 24 h, showed that in both breeds, cold resistance was closely dependent upon body weight and significantly improved (p less than 0.01) with age. Despite their 16% lower body weight, Ms piglets were, at both ages studied, as resistant to cold as the Lw ones. Breed had no effect on pretest concentration of plasma glucose and noradrenaline, but pretest concentrations of plasma free fatty acids (FFA) were higher (p less than 0.01) in the Ms than in Lw piglets and those of adrenaline were lower (p less than 0.01) in the Ms Lw piglets and those of adrenaline were lower (p less than 0.01) in the Ms piglets. Breed had no significant effect on the response of plasma glucose, FFA and catecholamines during exposure to cold. At both ages of exposure, plasma concentrations of glucose and catecholamines were significantly increased. Plasma concentrations of FFA were increased (p less than 0.01) at 2 h, but at 24 h a decrease (p less than 0.01) was observed during cold exposure. Colostrum from Ms sows had greater concentration of lipids than that from Lw sows. It is suggested that the similar resistance to cold of the Ms and Lw piglets despite the lower body weight of the former is due, in part, to a greater availability of FFA as an energy source.

Effect of colostrum intake on metabolic rate and plasma glucose in the neonatal pig in relation to environmental temperature.

The effects of feeding sow colostrum on oxygen consumption (VO2), heat production (HP), respiratory quotient (RQ) and rectal temperature (RT) were examined in 26 newborn piglets in a thermoneutral (32 degrees C) and in a cold (18 degrees C) environment. Colostrum (32 g/kg body weight) was given by gavage at 3 h of age. A control group received a similar amount of saline. VO2, HP, RQ and RT were measured for approximately 1 h prior to force-feeding and 2 h after feeding. The response of plasma glucose to ingestion of colostrum or saline was recorded in 18 additional piglets kept at 32 or 18 degrees C. The effects of feeding saline on all parameters studied were not significant (p greater than 0.10). Ingestion of colostrum was followed at both temperatures by a marked rise (p less than 0.05) in VO2 and RT. The responses of VO2 were curvilinear (p less than 0.05) with the maximum rise occurring in both treatments within 30 min after colostrum administration and amounting (% of prefeeding values) to 45 +/- 7 and 16 +/- 2% at 32 and 18 degrees C, respectively. The rises in VO2 persisted for more than 1 h postfeeding. The heat increment associated with feeding colostrum was lower (p less than 0.05) at 18 than at 32 degrees C. Nonsignificant transient increases in RQ were observed. Prefeeding plasma glucose was higher (p less than 0.05) at 18 than at 32 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Thermoregulation and energy metabolism in the neonatal pig.

The period of 2-3 days following birth represents a critical period in the life of a pig. A major factor adversely affecting survival is the difficulty of the piglet to maintain homeothermy. Its thermoregulatory mechanisms available at birth become active immediately, but the thermogenesis is limited by the paucity of body energy reserves mainly composed of glycogen. Ingestion of colostrum is associated with a considerable increase in the metabolic rate which contributes to maintenance of body temperature. Within the first day of life, it is established that both heat production and rectal temperature are closely related to the level of colostrum intake. Failure to provide an adequate thermal environment reduces colostrum intake in the neonatal pig with corresponding effects on the development of the immunological and thermoregulation system. Finally, the key role of cold stress on neonatal mortality is discussed.

Influence of birth prematurity on colostrum composition and subsequent immunity of piglets.

Two groups of seven pregnant sows were farrowing either naturally after 111-114 days of gestation or prematurely after 109 days following an injection of 125 micrograms/animal of a prostaglandin analogue. Colostrum intake was controlled individually on piglets during the first 24 h of life. Measurements of IgG, IgA and IgM were performed on 3 samples of colostrum after 0, 12 and 24 h following the birth of the first piglet, then in the serum of the piglets, sampled at 4, 12 and 42 days of age. Then, we calculated the total amount of Ig intake during the first 24 h of life and an estimation of the Ig stores of each piglet on the basis of weight, blood volume, and hematocrit at different ages. Results showed a marked average difference in the birth weight in favour of mature piglets as well as an increased colostrum intake: 315 vs an average of 213 g for premature piglets. Considerable variations between sows were found in the initial level of colostral IgG, independently of the gestation length. Two thirds of the IgG intake by piglets occurred during the first 12 h. Total Immunoglobulin intake in the first day was respectively 15.8 g vs 25.1 g for premature or mature piglets. Total estimated Ig content in the serum of 4 day-old piglets was also lower for premature ones (2.55 vs 3.2 g/animal), representing 10 to 27% of the total amount of Igs ingested during the first day of life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Colostrum intake and thermoregulation in the neonatal pig in relation to environmental temperature.

Colostrum consumption and rectal temperature (RT) have been measured on piglets kept at 18-20 degrees C (CG = cold group) and at 30-32 degrees C (WG = warm group) during the first day of life. At an ambient temperature of 18-20 degrees C, piglets consumed 36.8% less (p less than 0.01) colostrum than their littermates at 30-32 degrees C. There was a positive correlation between birth weight and colostrum intake in both groups of piglets. From birth weight and weight gain measurements, colostrum intake could be accurately predicted (R2 = 0.75). RT of piglets significantly dropped after birth and subsequently rose, the extent of the initial fall and the rate of the subsequent rise birth and subsequently rose, the extent of the initial fall and the rate of the subsequent rise depended on the environmental temperature. RT of CG remained significantly lower than that of WG, and a further significant decrease was found from 15 h after birth in CG. At 18-20 degrees C, a progressive decline of the effect of birth weight and a concomitant increase in the effect of colostrum intake. 5 of the 39 CG died within 3 days after birth, while all 41 WG survived. Results provide evidence for cold stress as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the neonatal pigs.

Energy metabolism of the newborn pig during the first 24 h or life.

Metabolic rates (VO2) and respiratory quotients (RQ) have been measured in newborn pigs kept either in warm (31 degrees C = WG) or in cold (18 degrees C = CG) climatic conditions from birth to 24 h of age. The piglets were allowed to suckle every 80-85 min. At birth VO2 and RQ were high for both treatments. However, they became relatively constant after 30 min of life. They were higher for piglets kept in a cold environment (1.00 vs. 0.95 for RQ). After the first suckling VO2 increased steadily over the first 24 h of life for WG and was kept constant (29.5 ml O2/kg BW/min) for CG. RQ decreased from 0.90 to 0.80. For the first 24 h of life an increase of 55% of VO2 was observed when the ambient temperature was decreased from 31 to 18 degrees C. The fact that RQ was higher for CG than for WG (0.87 vs 0.83) indicates that the newborn pig kept in cold conditions enhances its utilization of carbohydrates, in order to increase its heat production. Finally, our results show the positive relationship between colostrum intake and metabolic rate and emphasize the nutritional importance of colostrum during the first day of life.