RESUMEN
This systematic review analyzed the effect of selected nutrients and additives in the feed of pregnant sows on the survival of newborn piglets. We analyzed 720 peer-reviewed publications in English in PubMed® and Web of Science®, dated July 2023 to January 2024, related to the effect of dietary supplementation with fatty acids and various percentages of protein, amino acids, and/or sources of dietary fiber on the offspring of gestating sows. While several papers evaluated the effect of nutrition on gestating sows, only a few delved into the distinct feeding strategies required at each stage of gestation to meet the NRC's nutritional requirements for maternal tissue gain and postnatal neonatal survival and growth. This body of research suggests that as gestation progresses the sow's nutritional requirements increase, as the NRC established, to satisfy their own metabolic needs and those of their fetuses. Additional research is needed to determine an optimal feeding strategy.
RESUMEN
Background and Aim: Working animals are important in agriculture because they play a role in various agricultural activities, including milk and meat production. Thus, they contribute to the development of rural communities. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of different load weights on the work performance and the physiological and hematological responses of working water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Materials and Methods: The work performances of 12 buffaloes (average weight 782.16 ± 21.62 kg) transporting 200, 350, and 500 kg of African palm fruits in metal baskets placed on their backs were evaluated. Work performance variables evaluated immediately after work were as follows: total number of trips (n), total weight (kg), distance traveled (km/day), working period (h), stopped time (h), and average speed (km/h). In addition, we evaluated physiological, biochemical, and hematological variables at three different times: before the start of work, immediately after work, and on the rest day. Results: Among the load weights, 500 kg (total load carried = 4,138.88 kg) improved work efficiency compared to 200 kg loads (total load = 3,322.22 kg) (p = 0.0281). However, 500 kg loads resulted in slower average speed (2.4 km, p = 0.0164), shorter working period (2.39 h, p < 0.0001) and distance traveled (7.29 km, p < 0.0001), and less total number of trips (8.27 trips, p < 0.0001) compared to 350 and 200 kg load weights (3.45 and 3.52 km/h, 2.55 and 2.79 h, 8.71 and 9.75 km, 10.94 and 16.61 trips, respectively); and the heaviest loads resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.005) respiratory rate, pulse, heart rate, rectal temperature, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, total protein, white blood cell count, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. In contrast, was associated with lower levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to lower loads. All differences were more pronounced in 500 kg (p < 0.005) compared to 200 kg loads. Conclusion: Working buffaloes responded to work related to the transport of African palm fruits through various physiological, biochemical, and hematological changes. However, some variables remained close to the reference values reported in the literature for water buffaloes, and in general, all variables were reestablished during the rest day, indicating that these animals have adapted to working conditions.
RESUMEN
Asphyxia is considered the main non-infectious cause of prepartum mortality in swine, as well as an important factor that negatively affects neonatal vitality and can trigger physiological and metabolic disorders. Hence, the search for pharmacological protocols to reduce the harmful effects of asphyxia is a key area of research. Recent observations show that administering thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) prior to a hypoxic event in certain species (rabbits, rats) has a neuroprotector effect that preserves energy metabolism under hypoxic conditions. Given this, the objective of this study was to evaluate a prophylactic protocol in high- and low-vitality neonate piglets based on TPP's effect on physiological and metabolic responses, body temperature, and weight. A total of 149 piglets born from 15 multiparous sows were used. The dams were randomly divided into two groups: control (NaCl 0.9%) and TPP (25 ml of TTP) administered 24 and 12 h before the expected farrowing date. The following reproductive variables of the sows were recorded: duration of farrowing, total number of piglets born per litter, number of liveborn piglets per litter, number of stillbirths and mummified fetuses at birth, and number of live piglets at weaning. In addition, the expulsion interval and vitality of all neonates were evaluated, body temperatures were recorded at ten intervals, and physiological profiles (blood gases, electrolytes, glucose) were registered for each neonate. Results show that the TPP-treated sows had shorter farrowing duration (P = 0.0060) and higher percentage of high-vitality neonates (60%). Moreover, their offspring exhibited greater vitality, fewer imbalances in their physiological and metabolic profiles, and greater weight gain at weaning (P < 0.0001). Findings suggest that administering TPP exerts a protective effect when hypoxic events occur, though this differs from results obtained with rat pups, where applying TPP after such events did not provide protection from asphyxia-induced damage. These differences may be due to the moment at which TPP was applied. The application time we selected was distinct from the procedure followed with rats because it was based on a dataset that describes the influence of administering TPP as a prophylactic treatment before a hypoxic event. Prophylactic administration of TPP to sows at the end of gestation exerted a neuroprotective effect on neonatal vitality and gas exchanges and energy metabolism in the offspring that were reflected in the greater weekly weight gain in those piglets.