An association analysis of sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth as indicators of sow productivity.

Understanding how critical sow live-weight and back-fat depth during gestation are in ensuring optimum sow productivity is important. The objective of this study was to quantify the association between sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth during gestation with subsequent sow reproductive performance. Records of 1058 sows and 13 827 piglets from 10 trials on two research farms between the years 2005 and 2015 were analysed. Sows ranged from parity 1 to 6 with the number of sows per parity distributed as follows: 232, 277, 180, 131, 132 and 106, respectively. Variables that were analysed included total born (TB), born alive (BA), piglet birth weight (BtWT), pre-weaning mortality (PWM), piglet wean weight (WnWT), number of piglets weaned (Wn), wean to service interval (WSI), piglets born alive in subsequent farrowing and sow lactation feed intake. Calculated variables included the within-litter CV in birth weight (LtV), pre-weaning growth rate per litter (PWG), total litter gain (TLG), lactation efficiency and litter size reared after cross-fostering. Data were analysed using linear mixed models accounting for covariance among records. Third and fourth parity sows had more (P0.05). Heavier sow live-weight throughout gestation was associated with an increase in PWM (P0.05). In conclusion, this study showed that sow parity, live-weight and back-fat depth can be used as indicators of reproductive performance. In addition, this study also provides validation for future development of a benchmarking tool to monitor and improve the productivity of modern sow herd.

The effects of phytase and xylanase supplementation on performance and egg quality in laying hens.

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of phytase and xylanase and their interaction on laying hen performance, egg quality, phosphorus (P) digestibility, phytate breakdown, volatile fatty acid (VFA) production and peptide YY concentration. 2. Two hundred and forty hens were allocated to cages at 22 weeks of age based on a 3 × 2 arrangement with phytase (0, 300 or 1500 FTU/kg) and xylanase (0 or 12 000 BXU/kg) as factors. 3. Phytase increased hen-day production (P < 0.05), daily egg mass (P < 0.05) and P digestibility with increasing levels of phytase (P < 0.001). Phytase fed at 1500 FTU/kg reduced IP6 and IP5 and increased myo-inositol concentration in gizzard digesta (P < 0.05). Phytase fed at 300 FTU/kg reduced IP6 in ileal digesta (P < 0.05); however, IP6 and IP5 were further reduced and myo-inositol increased when phytase was added at 1500 FTU/kg (P < 0.05). 4. Xylanase improved feed efficiency when phytase was fed at 300 FTU/kg (P < 0.05). In the absence of phytase, xylanase reduced dry matter and Ca digestibilities (P < 0.05). 5. Neither phytase nor xylanase had an effect on peptide YY or caecal VFA concentrations.

The effects of xylanase on grower pig performance, concentrations of volatile fatty acids and peptide YY in portal and peripheral blood.

Non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) present in wheat and barley can act as anti-nutrients leading to an increase in digesta viscosity and a reduction in nutrient digestibility. Xylanase, an NSP-degrading enzyme, has been shown to increase nutrient digestibility in pigs. The objectives of this study were: (1) to identify the optimum inclusion level of xylanase in grower pig diets by measuring the effect of increasing enzyme levels on growth performance, the concentration of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and peptide YY concentration in portal and peripheral blood of grower pigs and (2) to increase our understanding of the interrelationships between xylanase inclusion, VFA production and peptide YY secretion. A total of 512 grower pigs ((Large White×Landrace)×MAXGRO) were allocated to pens creating 32 replicates of four pigs per pen per treatment. Pigs were allocated to trial weighing 14.2±0.31 kg and remained on trial until ~41.5±3.31 kg. The experiment was a dose response design with four inclusion levels (0, 8000, 16 000 or 32 000 BXU/kg) of xylanase (Econase XT). Diets were cereal-based wheat, barley mix formulated to meet or exceed the nutrient requirements of grower pigs. Body weight and feed intake were recorded to calculate growth performance. Pen faecal samples were collected to estimate DM, organic matter (OM) and crude fibre (CF) apparent total-tract digestibility. At the end of the trial 16 pigs per treatment were euthanised by schedule 1 procedures. Peripheral and portal blood samples were collected for peptide YY and VFA analysis. The addition of xylanase to the diet had no effect on growth performance, DM, OM or CF total-tract digestibility; however, xylanase tended to have a quadratic effect on ileum pH with higher pH values recorded for pigs fed a diet supplemented with 8000 and 16 000 BXU/kg xylanase (P<0.1). Xylanase had no effect on peptide YY levels or VFA concentration. Total VFA concentration was higher in portal compared with peripheral blood (P<0.05). In conclusion, the addition of xylanase had no effect on grower pig performance, nutrient digestibility, VFA concentration or peptide YY concentration when fed up to 32 000 BXU/kg over a 35-day period. Pig performance was good for all treatments throughout the trial suggesting that diet quality was sufficient thus there were no beneficial effects of adding xylanase.

Effect of oral progesterone and caffeine at the end of gestation on farrowing duration and piglet growth and survival.

The profitability of pig production is constrained by high incidences of peri-parturient and pre-weaning piglet mortality. Supplementing sows with either progesterone or caffeine during the last week of gestation can reduce stillbirths and improve piglet performance. However, the consequences of combining these two substances has not been investigated. The aim of the current study was to determine the effect of oral supplementation of sows with progesterone (regumate) and caffeine at the end of gestation on the timing and progression of farrowing, as well as piglet survival and growth to weaning. From days 111 to 113 of gestation, 20 Large White pregnant sows (parity 3.0±0.45) received 5 ml of Regumate Porcine (0.4 w/v oral solution; MSD Animal Health) daily on top of their morning ration. Sows were stratified according to parity and predicted farrowing date, and allocated at random to receive a diet supplemented with either 0 g caffeine/kg diet (CONT) or 2.4 g of caffeine/kg diet (CAFF) from day 113 of gestation until parturition (n=10 sows/treatment). Treatment did not affect total litter size; however, CONT sows gave birth to more live and fewer dead piglets compared with CAFF sows; 14.5±0.73 v. 11.7±1.03 and 0.7±0.20 v. 3.2±0.77; P<0.05). Mean, minimum and maximum piglet birthweight were unaffected by treatment. Compared with the control, caffeine increased the proportion of piglets with a birthweight <1 kg (0.16±0.05 v. 0.05±0.02; P=0.072) and decreased the proportion of live born piglets surviving to day 5 postpartum (0.77±0.06 v. 0.90±0.02; P<0.05) and to weaning (0.74±0.06 v. 0.90±0.02; P<0.05). Overall, the current data provided the first evidence that caffeine supplementation of sows receiving progesterone to prevent premature farrowing impaired piglet survival during, and shortly after parturition. This negative outcome may be linked to extended farrowing durations and an increase in the proportion of very light piglets at birth. These data provide compelling, albeit preliminary, evidence that caffeine and progesterone should not be used together at the end of gestation.

Effect of rearing environment and dietary zinc oxide on the response of group-housed weaned pigs to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli O149 challenge.

A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted to determine the effects of rearing environment (indoor (In) v. outdoor (Out)) and dietary zinc oxide (ZnO) supplementation (0 (-Zn) v. 3100 (+Zn) mg/kg feed) on the response of weaned pigs to a challenge infection with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Pigs from the two rearing environments were weaned onto trial diets at 4 weeks of age, moved into conventional accommodation and infected 3 days later with 109 CFU ETEC per os. Faecal ETEC shedding was determined before and after challenge. After 7 days of ETEC infection, all pigs were euthanized for gut lactic acid bacteria (LAB)-to-coliform ratio, pH and small intestine morphological measurements. Both ZnO and outdoor rearing reduced ETEC excretion, and these effects were additive. Outdoor rearing increased small intestine and colon tissue weight. ZnO increased villus height and goblet cell number in the upper small intestine, LAB-to-coliform ratio (through reduced coliforms) in the lower small intestine and proximal colon, and improved growth performance. There were interactive effects of rearing environment and ZnO supplementation on upper small intestine villus height and daily gain, as outdoor rearing conferred advantages on these variables only with ZnO dietary supplementation. Daily gains were 233, 174, 277 and 347 (s.e.m. 27.2) g/day for the In - Zn, Out - Zn, In + Zn and Out + Zn, respectively. These results suggest different, but complementary mechanisms of intestinal health and performance in outdoor-reared pigs and those offered ZnO supplemented diets. The results indicate that the benefits of ZnO to the weaned pig extend beyond suppression of ETEC and appear mediated through altered development of the small intestine mucosa.

Does the newly weaned piglet select a zinc oxide supplemented feed, when given the choice?

An experiment was conducted to examine whether weaned piglets would display preference for a food containing a pharmacological level of zinc oxide (ZnO). A total of 60 piglets were weaned at 7.8 kg ± 0.14 (s.e.m.) and 27.8 ± 0.11 days of age into eight mixed sex groups of seven or eight piglets per pen. Groups were balanced for litter origin, weaning weight and sex. Piglet feeding behaviour was constantly recorded by a multi-spaced feeding behaviour recording system (Leeds University Feeding Behaviour System) in each pen. Each pen of pigs was offered ad libitum access to two different foods (16.2 MJ digestible energy, 16 g lysine/kg), which differed only in the level of ZnO supplementation: unsupplemented (U) or supplemented (Z; ZnO 3100 mg/kg). Both foods contained a basal level of zinc (100 mg/kg). Feeding time was recorded for each individual at each trough. Piglets were weighed at weaning and at 7 and 13 days thereafter. The experiment ran for 13 days. Any piglet observed with post-weaning scour (Y) was recorded and treated appropriately whereas healthy piglets were categorised as N (no scour). Preference for a food was defined as being significantly different from 50% of total feed intake or time spent feeding. There was no difference between piglet numbers selecting each food as their first meal. However, within the first 24 h, piglets preferred (P < 0.001) food U, spending only 36.3% (32.2 to 40.5; 95% confidence interval) of feeding time at food Z. Throughout the experiment, piglets showed aversion (P < 0.001) to food Z, consumption being 8.9% (5.1 to 13.6) and 15.7% (8.9 to 23.9) of total intake in weeks 1 and 2, respectively. Individual piglets showed their preference for food U with only 16.6% (14.6 to 18.5) and 21.8% (19.6 to 24.0) of feeding time spent on food Z in weeks 1 and 2, respectively. Scouring piglets did not show any difference in feeding behaviour from healthy piglets in either week. Average piglet gain (of all piglets) was low, at 0.039 ± 0.03 and 0.272 ± 0.04 kg/day in weeks 1 and 2, respectively. Given a choice, weaned piglets showed a clear preference for the food U even when exhibiting post-weaning scour. It can be concluded that the newly weaned, naïve, piglet is not able to recognise a food with clear health and performance benefits but selected the food U due to the reduced palatability of the food Z.

Effects of zinc oxide and Enterococcus faecium SF68 dietary supplementation on the performance, intestinal microbiota and immune status of weaned piglets.

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of zinc oxide (ZnO) and the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 (Cylactin) dietary supplementation on the performance, intestinal microbiota and immune parameters of the weaned piglet reared under commercial conditions. The diets were devoid of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). Two hundred and eight crossbred piglets were allocated to a 2 x 2 factorial experiment involving two levels of zinc oxide supplementation (0 or 3100 mg ZnO/kg feed), and two levels of E. faecium SF68 supplementation (0 or 1.4 x 10(9)CFU/kg feed (Cylactin ME10)). The diets were offered ad libitum for 20 days post-weaning. Piglet performance was assessed by calculating average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) on a pen basis. In addition, components of the distal ileal digesta, tissue-associated and mesenteric lymph node (MLN) bacterial populations were enumerated and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and intestinal immunoglobulin A (IgA) concentrations were determined on days 6 and 20 post-weaning. Regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the bacterial populations at the different sites. Supplementation of the post-weaning diet with either ZnO or E. faecium SF68 did not affect piglet performance. E. faecium SF68 did not affect gastrointestinal bacterial populations but did tend to reduce serum IgG (P<0.1) on day 20. Zinc oxide reduced anaerobic (P<0.05) and tended to decrease lactic acid (P<0.1) bacterial translocation to the MLN, and tended to increase intestinal IgA concentration (P<0.1) on day 20. Generally, luminal bacterial populations were found to be poor predictors of tissue-associated or MLN populations. ZnO and E. faecium SF68 dietary supplementation were ineffective under these trial conditions. Further investigations into the possible immunomodulator role of dietary ZnO are warranted.

Effects of dietary quillaja saponin and curcumin on the performance and immune status of weaned piglets.

The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary quillaja saponin and curcumin (extract of turmeric) can modify piglet immune status and performance immediately after weaning. Piglets (n = 192) were weaned at 29 +/- 0.1 d and allocated to treatment (six replicates of eight pig per treatment) accounting for weight, litter, and gender, using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Factors were diets with or without (as-fed basis) quillaja saponin (750 mg/kg during wk 1, 300 mg/kg during wk 2 to 3) and with or without dietary curcumin (200 mg/kg). Diets were fed ad libitum for 20 d after weaning. Feed intake was measured daily. Piglets were weighed at weaning, d 7, 14, and 20 after weaning. On each of d 6 and 20 after weaning, eight pigs per treatment were sacrificed for blood and tissue collection. Treatment had no effect on piglet growth. The ADFI and G:F were similar for all treatments between d 0 and 14 of the trial. Between d 15 and 20, ADFI and G:F were lower in quillaja-supplemented piglets (ADFI = 621 vs. 572 g/d; G:F = 0.75 vs. 0.85; P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgA, interferon-gamma, and C-reactive protein (CRP) did not differ among treatments on d 6 after weaning. On d 20, IgG and CRP were greater (P < 0.05) in saponin-supplemented pigs (IgG = 17.5 vs. 11.4 mg/mL; CRP = 26.98 vs. 12.5 mg/mL). Small intestine villus and crypt measurements did not differ among treatments on either d 6 or 20. Saponin supplementation during the postweaning period seemed to potentiate an immune response in the weaned piglet but had a detrimental effect on the utilization of feed. Dietary curcumin had no influence on any measured aspect of pig performance or immune status.

The ability of laying hens to regulate phosphorus intake when offered two feeds containing different levels of phosphorus.

The ability of laying hens to adjust their intake of available P (AP) was investigated with a maize-soyabean diet fed to forty-eight individually caged birds in a 2 x 4 factorial experiment. From 19 to 25 weeks of age (phase 1) twenty-four birds were fed a normal-P (NP) diet (2.2 g AP/kg DM) and twenty-four were fed a low-P (LP) diet (1.1 g AP/kg). LP eggs were lighter (51 v. 54 (SEM 1.0) g; P<0.05), providing evidence that the LP diet was deficient in AP. From 25 to 28 weeks of age six hens from each phase 1 treatment were fed either the NP or LP diet alone or a choice of the LP and NP feeds or a choice of the LP feed and a phytase-supplemented (PP) feed (LP diet with 400 microbial phytase units/kg). With a choice of the NP and LP feeds, the hens fed the LP diet in phase 1 ate a smaller proportion of the LP feed (34 (SEM 12.0) %) than the hens fed the NP diet in phase 1 (72 (SEM 12.0) %; P<0.05), showing that P deficiency influenced subsequent selection for AP, i.e. an appetite for P was demonstrated. In those birds offered the LP and PP feeds, the presence of phytase in one of the two feeds significantly alleviated the effect of P deficiency on egg and body weights. The proportion of the LP diet chosen was not significantly affected by phase 1 treatment; it was not necessary for the hens to eat more than 50 % of PP feed.

The effects of feed intake and body fatness on progesterone metabolism in ovariectomized gilts.

We studied the effects of feed intake and fatness on metabolic clearance rate (MCR) and half-life of progesterone in 40 ovariectomized gilts (10x4 littermates). One gilt from each litter was randomly allocated to each of four treatments in a randomized block design. Gilts were reared to be either lean (Ln), 113 kg BW and 10 mm backfat measured 65 mm from the midline at the level of the last rib (P2), or fat (F), 124 kg BW and 20 mm P2 backfat. They were ovariectomized and fitted with bilateral jugular catheters. Fat and Ln gilts were then fed either low (1.15 x maintenance energy, L), or high (2.30 x maintenance energy, H) feed intakes. Gilts received an i.m. injection of 130 mg of progesterone on two consecutive days (d1 and 2). From d 3, progesterone was infused at 5.4 mg/h (130 mg/d) for 60 h. Blood samples for progesterone analysis were taken during the last 24 h of infusion and for a further 72 h. Gilts were then slaughtered, and livers were sampled for microsomal studies. Fatness did not affect any aspect of progesterone metabolism measured. Postprandial MCR was greater in H than in L gilts, 103.0 vs. 76.1 mL x min(-1) x kg BW(-1) (P<.01), respectively. Feed intake did not affect the disappearance rate constant of progesterone (mean -.019), and the estimated half-life of progesterone was 36.5 h. High-intake gilts had larger proportional liver size (P<.001) than L gilts. Microsomal metabolism of progesterone and P450 enzyme concentration were similar across treatments. We conclude that increasing feed intake increases MCR of progesterone and could be used to manipulate progesterone concentration in sows.

Women's views of postpartum sibling visitation.

The purpose of this study was to identify women's views of postpartum sibling visitation. Fifty-eight Lamaze-prepared, married multigravidae expressed their views on sibling visitation in a semistructured interview conducted during their postpartum hospitalization. The majority of women (84%) chose to have their children visit. Women identified positive and negative aspects of sibling visitation, explained reasons for not having siblings visit, and discussed reactions to separation from their children. The women believed both siblings and mothers benefitted emotionally from the visit. Negative aspects of sibling visitation included emotional reactions of mothers and siblings, lack of control between siblings and infants, and inconvenient location for the visit.

The future population of Botswana.

PIP: Population projections by age and sex are presented for Botswana up to the year 2001, as are estimates for 1991. The data are from the 1981 census.^ieng

Rural-urban migration in a developing country: Botswana, Africa.

PIP: Trends in internal migration in Botswana are analyzed, with a focus on rural-urban migration. Data are from the 1981 census and from a survey carried out in 1979. The authors note that even though the predominance of subsistence agriculture acts as a deterrent to rural-urban migration, it is probable that the total and percentage of people living in urban areas will increase. However, the magnitude and pattern of future migration will fluctuate over time as social and economic conditions change.^ieng

Effect of chronic heat load during pregnancy on birth weight, behaviour and body composition of Australian feral goat kids.

Six feral does maintained at elevated ambient temperatures (27.2 degrees - 34.8 degrees) for the last half of pregnancy had rectal temperatures (Tr) elevated by 0.4 degrees above 10 unstressed does. Heat-stressed twin-bearers were 0.15 degrees hotter than single-bearers and bore lighter kids (1.70 kg), than unstressed does (2.24 kg) while singles were less affected (2.22 kg versus 2.28 kg). Birth weight was more highly correlated (P less than 0.001) with the daily minimum Tr of the dam than with the mean or maximum Tr. Kids from heated does stood and began sucking as quickly as control kids but during the first six hours scored significantly (P less than 0.01) lower on a scale of general activity. There were no significant differences in body content of nitrogen, fat and ash or, when birth weight was considered, weight of hide, CNS and liver.

Folded skin associated with underlying nevus lipomatosus.

A mentally retarded female infant had abnormalities of the feet, hemiplegia, and an underlying nevus lipomatosus. To our knowledge, this represents the second reported case of marked folding of the skin; with an underlying nevus lipomatosus; this case demonstrated an association of this cutaneous disorder with multiple defects, including chromosomal abnormalities, which have not been previously reported.

Long chain fatty acid inhibition of sodium plus potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase from rat heart.

Long chain fatty acids were found to inhibit (Na+ + K+)-ATPase prepared from rat heart. Unsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were more inhibitory than saturated fatty acids with myristic acid being the most inhibitory saturated fatty acid tested and linoleic the most inhibitory unsaturated fatty acid. As an example of fatty acid modification of the enzyme, inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was examined. When compared to ouabain, inhibition of (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was found to be similar in that both were dependent on K+ concentration, but, in contrast to the almost instantaneous inhibition by ouabain, oleate inhibition was a slow process requiring over 20 min incubation at 37 degrees to produce maximum inhibition. Inhibition of rat heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase by oleate was found to be readily reversible by washout. In the presence of albumin an oleate/albumin molar ratio greater than 7.5 was required for inhibition to occur. The activity of rat heart (Na+ + K+)-ATPase had a temperature optimum above 40 degrees and a discontinuous Arrhenius' plot with a transition temperature of 25 degrees. In the presence of oleate, however, the enzyme's optimum temperature decreased to below 40 degrees, the activation energy of the reaction at temperatures below 25 degrees was lowered from 24.7 kcal/mol to 12.6 kcal/mol and the enzyme had a linear Arrhenius' plot. The possibility of in vivo inhibition of cardiac (Na+ + K+)-ATPase under conditions of elevated fatty acids is discussed.