Colostrum Management 24 februari 2010

Introduction Sufficient and early colostrum intake is decisive for: – Piglet survival – Piglet development Colostrum provides: – Energy Thermo regulation homeostasis during the first 24 hours Growth and movement – Protection against infections until full activation of the immune system – Colostrum is the only source of IgG in neonatal piglets Energy reserve and requirements until 24 h after birth (Le Dividich et al., 2005)

Colostrum provides energy pigletlambaby GlycogenLiver (g/kg LG) Muscle (g/kg LG) Available energy (kcal/kg LG) FatTotal reserve (g/kg LG) Available energy (kcal/kg LG) Total energy reserve at birth (kcal/kg LG) Energie reserve in neo natals

Sow colostrum production INRA: Devillers 2006 Average 3.7 kg per sow ( ) Independent of litter size Parity = more colostrum production High avg. birth weight = more colostrum production Uniform birth weight = more colostrum production

Average = 1.34 kg Average 300 g Relation birth weight / colostrum intake first 24 u. INRA: Devillers 2006 Colostrum intake

Sow colostrum production INRA: Devillers 2006

Colostrum distribution Colostrum distribution becomes critical especially in hyper prolific breeds Devillers 2004 and 2007: Minimum need = 170 g/kg BW, avg. consumption = 290 g/kg BW, Colostrum yield = kg, independent of litter size

Partus succes criteria Good gestation length ( days) for:  Mature piglets (minimal dead and weak born piglets)  Developed udder and sufficient high quality colostrum  10% sows farrow day 117 (1) Partus length:  2 to 4 hours is normal  Long partus = more dead and weak born piglets Calm and healthy sow and piglets with good vitality  Colostrum volume and quality  Suckling ability piglet  Accessibility to the colostrum (1) C. Vanderhaeghe, 2010

Partus succes criteria Sows often show abnormal behavior at farrowing – Aggressive (mainly first litter sows) – Restless (sitting and standing) – Belly position Abnormal behavior impairs the fast transfer of colostrum from sow to piglet

Classical measuring methods – Involves piglet and/or sow manipulation – Manipulation impacts behavior of sow and piglet  Need for a non disruptive method: – The IgG titre, measured after the phase of IgG passage trough the gut can be used a measure for colostrum intake (1) – Piglet serum IgG concentration at 3 days of age (at tail docking) depends on: Volume of colostrum intake Concentration of IgG in colostrum Moment of colostrum intake (gut closure after hours) (1) J.P. Nielson, 2008 Measuring colostrum distribution Klobasa, 1987 Gut Closure Gut Closure

Materials and Methods Commercial sow farm, 1600 sows 220 litters included (parity 1 and 2) Day time litters received 320 mg azaperone im at expulsion of placenta. Night time litters were not treated Tail docking procedure standard at 3 days of age Blood drop from tail end sufficient for testing Photo: Marrit van Engen

Materials and Methods 6 piglets per litter were sampled (no fostered piglets) DAS-ELISA (Colostrum Quality Counter TM ) Absolute IgG serum concentration in mg/ml Standard deviation/litter average = Coefficient of Variance (CV IgG) as a measure for colostrum distribution Relevant reproductive data retrieved from the farm data recording system

Results CV IgG ranges from 18 to 208% (avg. 55%), showing an important variation in colostrum distribution between sows Mortality rate and litter size are highly correlated (p<0.0001) Within the same litter size, survival rate is positively correlated with better colostrum distribution (low CV IgG) CV IgG Number of littersPiglets with the sow Mortality (%) ≤ 50% (avg. 36%) a > 50% (avg. 76%) b ab : difference with p-value of J. Jourquin, 2010

Results Impact of litter size on IgG distribution and piglet mortality J. Jourquin, 2010

Results Mortality rate increases with litter size (p < ) – Up to 13 piglets, mortality rate is low – ≥ 16 piglets, mortality rate doubles Variation in IgG levels increases with litter size – Up to 11 piglets: CV IgG below 0.50 – ≥ 14 piglets: CV IgG increases to over 0.70

Conclusion IgG serum concentration in 3 day old piglets can be used to estimate the colostrum distribution within the litter Increased litter size results in higher piglet loss and has a negative impact on colostrum distribution In hyper prolific sow herds, good colostrum management is crucial to allow all piglets to get their share of the available colostrum Further trials focus on methods to improve the colostrum distribution in bigger litters

Can we improve colostrum transfer? At partus sows often show stress related behavior This behavior ranges from increased alertness over unrest to aggressiveness, resulting in: direct piglet mortality (cannibalism, crushing) impaired colostrum intake, when the sow does not allow the piglet to drink. This stress can be controlled with azaperone Treatment: 2 mg/kg LW azaperone IM (8 ml Stresnil® ) at the moment of expulsion of the placenta

Improving sow behavior Behavior 0 hours6 hours Behavior AZA (n=69)Control (n=81)AZA (n=69)Control (n=81) Calm68%78%87%69% Alert20%14%13%27% Stressed12%9%0%4% p-value AZA = azaperone I. Vanthillo, 2007

Facilitating nursing behavior What is the effect on suckling behavior of the piglets? Less treated sows lie on their belly at 4 hours after farrowing (14% versus 27%) E. Zotti, 2010

Effect of treatment on colostrum distribution TreatmentNumber of litters Piglets born alive IgG (mg/ml) CV IgGSD CV IgG Non treated a 0.32 Azaperone b 0.20 ab : difference with p-value of 0.07 J. Biermann, 2010 Facilitating nursing behavior

Impacte de la taille de portée sur le CV IgG Facilitating nursing behavior J. Jourquin, 2010

Discussion Bigger litters call for – a higher colostrum yield – an optimal transfer from sow to piglet An even distribution of colostrum amongst litter mates positively affects piglets survival – piglets vitality – accessibility of colostrum Physically (teat quality, positioning and spacing) Practically (position and behavior of the sow)

Conclusion Piglet mortality is significantly reduced when colostrum distribution improves, irrespective of litter size Good colostrum management implies all measures that increase the accessibility of the piglet to the udder during the first (24) hours An injection of azaperone at the moment of expulsion of the placenta improves the distribution of the colostrum

Data and insights from practice Treatment – 320mg azaperone IM injection = 8mL Stresnil® per sow – When placenta is expelled Positive results from: – All parities and different genetics – Different geographic and climatologic situations – Different management approaches

Meta-analysis 11 farms, 988 sows, piglets AzaperoneUntreated p-value Number sows Piglets alive at start NS Birth weight (kg) NS Piglets weaned NS Mortality (%)12.6%12.4%NS Weaning weight (24d) (kg) p<0.02 % piglets reaching 6 kg at 24d70.6%66.5%p<0.01 Litter weight gain (24d) (kg) p<0.04

Germany (IFN Schönow e.V.)

Survival rate and serum IgG Germany (IFN Schönow e.V.)

Daily gain and serum IgG Germany (IFN Schönow e.V.)

BRAZIL (Integrall) All parityStresnil®Control Number of sows80 Piglets Born Alive Mortality %4.8%5.3% Birth weight (kg) Weight Gain (21d)4.89 a 4.75 b ab: p < 0.05

BRAZIL (Integrall) TREATMENTWEIGHT Day 63FEED INTAKE (kg) FCR CONTROL a 1.61 a STRESNIL b 1.54 b ab: p < 0.05

BRAZIL (Sanphar) P1 Stresnil® P1 Control P3 Stresnil® P3 Control P5 Stresnil® P5 Control Birth weight (g) 1,3341,3001,3171,2831,3751,396 Mortality 0 – 21 dyas 1,52%2,64%4,31%5,13%4,18%7,76% % piglets medicated 6,89%17,92%2,76%12,56%2,76%12,56% Weaning weight (g) 4,8055,3485,3015,0595,3615,494 Weight end post weaning 19,85920,18920,93919,90720,60921,083

Argentina: (Viana, IPVS 2010) Piglets Born Alive Piglets Weaned Lactation Length (days) Weaning Weight (kg) Litter Weaning Weight (kg) Farm 1 NT AZA Farm 2 NT AZA BOTH FARMS NT AZA Data presented in bold are statistically different (p<0.05)

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