bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
34 Assessing the Ability to Immunomodulate the Innate Immune System and Oxidative Status of Weaned Pigs Through a Prenatal Lipopolysaccharide Challenge
Authors: Mitchell Ty M , Sanchez Nicole C Burdick , Carroll Jeff A , Broadway Rand P , Legako Jerrad A , Petry Amy L 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Gastrointestinal immunity and antioxidant defenses may be bolstered in young animals through prenatal immune system stimulation (PIS), but this is largely uninvestigated in swine. The objective of this experiment was to determine if a low dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administered to late-gestating sows would alter the immune response and oxidative status of subsequent offspring. On d 78 ± 1.8 of gestation, 14 Camborough sows (Parity = 2.6±1.4) of the same farrowing group were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: intramuscular injection of saline (CON) or LPS from E. coli O111:B4 (2.5 µg/kg of BW). Sow rectal temperatures (RT) and sickness behavior scores (SBS) were recorded every 0.5 h from -0.5 h to 8 h and every 8 h from 8 to 48 h post-treatment. A subset of 34 weaned barrows (n = 17 CON, LPS; weaning age 21 ± 1.3 d) from the experimental sow group were transported on d -7 to an environmentally controlled facility where they were individually housed with ad libitum access to water and feed. On d -1, pigs were anesthetized for placement of a subcutaneous temperature logger and a jugular catheter. On d 0, all pigs were challenged intravenously with the same LPS strain (10 µg/kg of BW) previously administered to sows. Body temperature was measured at 5-min intervals from the time of logger placement. Blood samples were collected at -2, 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 24 h relative to LPS administration at 0 h. After the 24 h blood collection, pigs were necropsied for ileal and jejunal tissue. Plasma samples, jejunal and ileal tissues were analyzed for total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Data were analyzed as a linear mixed model using PROC MIXED (SAS 9.4) with treatment and time as fixed effects. A dependent covariance structure was used for repeated measurements. Sows administered LPS had elevated RT from 2 to 16-h post-challenge with return to baseline by h 24, indicating mild immune stimulation (treatment × time; P &lt; 0.01). Similarly, sows exposed to LPS had increased SBS from 2 to 3.5 h post-challenge (treatment × time; P &lt; 0.01). Pigs exposed to PIS had greater body temperature than CON at 1 and 2 h post-LPS (treatment × time; P &lt; 0.01). An increase in plasma TAC at 2 and 4 h post-LPS was observed in pigs exposed to PIS relative to CON (treatment × time; P &lt; 0.01). Irrespective of treatment, LPS increased plasma MDA from 2 to 24 h post-challenge (time; P &lt; 0.01). There was no effect of PIS on ileal or jejunal tissue TAC (P ≥ 0.40), but weaned pigs exposed to PIS had decreased jejunal MDA (P &lt; 0.05). Collectively, it appears PIS may alter the innate immune response and oxidative status of the weaned pig during LPS challenge.
32 Effect of Probiotics Supplementation Level on Growth Performance, Blood Parameters and Fecal Metabolites in Nursery Pigs
Authors: Duddeck Karyn A , Justman Tiffany E , Adkins Haley J , Smith Alexandra H , Hernandez Samantha , Wenner Seth J , Chen Chi , Li Wenli , Jang Young Dal 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation level of probiotics on growth performance, blood variables, and fecal metabolites in nursery pigs. Certain strains of Bacillus subtilis have been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of diarrhea and therefore improve growth performance of nursery pigs. A total of 54 newly weaned piglets were allotted to 3 treatments in 3 replicates with 6 pigs per pen based on body weight, gender, and breed for a 28-d feeding trial. Treatments were: 1) Control: no probiotics supplementation, 2) CERTILLUS 1x: probiotics supplementation at the recommended level, and 3) CERTILLUS 10x: probiotics supplementation at 10 times the recommended level. The CERTILLUS products consisted of two strains of Bacillus subtilis at a low and a high dose of 3.75 × 108 CFU/g and 3.75 × 109 CFU/g supplemented at 0.05% resulting in 1.875 × 105 CFU/g diet and 1.875 × 106 CFU/g diet for the 1x and 10x treatments, respectively. Corn-soybean meal-based diets were used for d 0-14 (Phase 1) and d 14-28 (Phase 2) postweaning. Body weight, blood glucose and creatinine, fecal short chain fatty acid (SCFA) and bile acid concentrations were measured at d 14 and 28 postweaning. Body weight at d 14 postweaning (P = 0.06; 11.98, 12.73, and 12.21 kg for the control, 1x, and 10x treatments, respectively) and average daily gain for d 0 to 14 postweaning (P &lt; 0.05; 0.206, 0.259, and 0.222 kg/d, respectively) were greater in the 1x treatment than the control and 10x treatments although there was no significant difference in growth performance at d 28 postweaning. Blood glucose concentrations were greater in both probiotic treatments than the control treatment at d 14 postweaning (P &lt; 0.05; 95.2, 111.7 and 114.3 mg/dL for the control, 1x, and 10x treatments, respectively). In the fecal SCFA concentrations, the butyrate concentrations were greater in the 1x treatment than the control and 10x treatments (P &lt; 0.05; 36.17, 47.57, and 33.23 µmol/g feces for the control, 1x, and 10x treatments, respectively) and the acetate (120.02, 141.87, and 101.17 µmol/g feces, respectively), propionate (62.95, 71.42 and 55.27 µmol/g feces, respectively), and total SCFA (236.72, 282.23, and 205.80 µmol/g feces, respectively) concentrations were greater in the 1x treatment than the 10x treatment with the intermediate value in the control treatment (P &lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences in fecal bile acid concentrations and blood creatinine concentrations at both d 14 and 28 postweaning. In conclusion, dietary probiotics supplementation to nursery diets at the recommended level could improve growth rate in the early postweaning period and increase fecal SCFA concentrations but not at a high level of supplementation.
PSII-2 Evaluation of Meloxicam in Sows Post-Farrowing on Sow and Piglet Performance
Authors: Fisk Alexandra , Harlow KaLynn , Statler Abigail , deNeui Grace , Rosener Dan , Peters Stacy , Stewart Kara R 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) often used in humans and companion animals to treat arthritis, having strong anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing properties. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of a new compounded oral drench suspension formulation of Meloxicam on sow body temperature in the first 24 hours after farrowing, piglet survivability, and piglet growth. A total of 851 sows in a commercial farm were randomly assigned to receive a single, 90 mg dose (6 mL of a 1.5% suspension) of Meloxicam via oral drench at completion of farrowing (MEL, n = 428) or receive no drug after farrowing (CON, n = 423). Rectal temperatures were taken at the end of farrowing, and 12 and 24 hours after farrowing to monitor sow body temperatures. As standard practice on this farm, sows with a temperature ≥ 39.7 °C at 24 hours post-farrowing were treated with flunixin (NSAID) and ampicillin injectables for 3 consecutive days (MEDS). Litter size and weights were recorded on day 0 and again on the day before weaning. Piglet deaths and reasons were recorded daily to determine piglet survivability and the body weights of dead piglets were recorded. The Mixed procedure of SAS 9.4 (Cary, North Carolina) was used to analyze the interaction between treatment (MEL or CON) and parity (P1 vs. P2 and P3 vs. P&gt;3) as the main effects. A 2x2 factorial design was used to reanalyze the interaction of Meloxicam treatment with additional medicated pigs (MEDS) using PROC Mixed in SAS with MEL and MEDS as main effects, and litter birthweight quartile and number nursed covariates where appropriate. MEL was successful in reducing the temperature of sows by 0.16 °C in the first 12 hours after farrowing (P = 0.0013). For all groups, sows greater than parity 3 had lower temperatures in the first 24 hours after farrowing (P = 0.0083). Gilts in the MEL group required less additional medication than gilts in the CON group (P = 0.0102). Treating sows with Meloxicam tended to reduce the incidence of scours in piglets (P = 0.0907). MEL did not significantly (P &gt; 0.05) impact preweaning mortality (CON = 12.9%, MEL = 12.3%), piglet weaning weight (CON: 5.4 kg ± 0.10; MEL: 5.5 kg ± 0.04), and no differences were observed between piglet weight and age at death between the treatment groups. This study exhibits the ability of a single dose of Meloxicam at farrowing to reduce fever within the first 12 hours of dosing and its potential to reduce the incidence of scours in piglets. Future studies investigating a longer Meloxicam therapy period post-farrowing will give insight into the use of Meloxicam as a fever-reducer to improve sow and piglet lactation performance and survivability.
PSIII-2 Comparison of Continuous Monitoring and Scan Sampling for Monitoring Postural Changes in Sows Housed in Gestation Crates
Authors: Moest Nicole K , Willard Naomi C , Pol Katherine D Vande , Shull Caleb M , Ellis Mike 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Continuous monitoring of the behavior of sows is the most accurate approach of measurement but is laborious. Scan sampling, which involves monitoring behavior at fixed intervals, can reduce labor requirements compared with continuous monitoring. However, the accuracy of scan sampling compared with continuous monitoring needs to be established. The objective of this study was to compare 2 sampling methods (continuous monitoring vs. scan sampling) for monitoring postural changes in individually housed sows after weaning. The study was carried out as a within-subject longitudinal study using 99 multiparous sows that were monitored over an 11-day period following weaning. Sows were housed in individual stalls and were checked daily for standing reflex from day 3 to 7 post-weaning. Video recording of the sows was carried out throughout the study period. The postures recorded were lying, standing, sitting, and active (standing + sitting). All recording of postures was carried out by a single trained observer. For the continuous monitoring, video recordings were observed continuously and the exact time and duration that sows exhibited each posture over the study period was recorded. The scan sampling method involved pausing the video recordings at 5 min intervals and recording the posture of the sow at each time. Postures recorded from the scan sampling were reported as the number of observations of each posture as a percentage of the total number of observations. Postures recorded from the continuous monitoring were reported as the time spent in each posture as a percentage of the total time. A repeated-measures analysis was carried out using PROC GLIMMIX of SAS; the model included the fixed effects of study day, sampling method, and the interaction. There was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) between sampling methods for any of the postures on any study day or for the overall study period (Table 1). In conclusion, these results suggest that scan sampling at 5-minute intervals gives similar results to continuous monitoring for measuring the posture of newly weaned sows housed in individual crates. Further research is needed to define the maximum interval for scan sampling that maintains the accuracy of monitoring sow posture.
PSV-1 Pasture Does Not Impact Pork Quality of Finishing Hogs
Authors: Becker Chelsea , Hines Elizabeth A , Campbell Jonathan 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Sales of certified organic pork continue to increase, and an increasing number of young farmers are looking to rear hogs with organic or other niche labeling claims that require outdoor access. There is limited research available to support pastured pork operations in developing best management practices for rearing pigs in outdoor environments. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of housing on swine performance and pork quality and to build best management strategies for raising hogs on pasture. Pigs (n = 50) from the same sire and farrowing cohort were obtained from 10 separate litters. Pigs were grouped into separate treatments according to average body weights (BW) with equal sex rations among both groups: Indoor (n = 25), and Outdoor (n = 25), with 5 hogs per pen within each treatment. The Indoor groups were housed on 7m2 of solid concrete flooring in a ventilation-controlled barn; the Outdoor groups were housed on native grass pasture with pen size being 23m2, and a third shaded with 40% shade cloth. Outdoor pens were rotated to new grass every 14 days to manage soil destruction, while Indoor pigs remained in original pens for the duration of the project. Water access was provided via a nipple drinker system and fed a standard grow-finish ration ad libitum for both groups. All pigs were slaughtered at 26 weeks of age, with the Indoor group averaging BW of 126kg, and the Outdoor group averaging BW of 111kg (P &lt; 0.05). Hot carcass weights were also larger (P &lt; 0.001) of the Indoor group. All pork quality measurements were taken at the 10th rib. Color and marbling scores were not shown to vary between the treatment groups (P ≥ 0.17). Colorimeter values (L*, A*, B*) were similar across treatments as well (P ≥ 0.41). However, loin eye area exhibited a trend with the Outdoor group having a smaller average size (P = 0.07) In addition to this, pH values were also shown to vary at 0h (P = 0.03), 6h (P = 0.01), and 24h (P &lt; 0.01) postmortem, with the Indoor group having the higher ultimate pH. Based on these data, pasture reduced final market size and loin eye area of hogs, but not overall pork quality. Although pH was reduced for the Outdoor group, no values showed a rapid decline in pH that would indicate a PSE pork product. Further, average pH between treatments were within 0.2 at all sampling times. Further research is needed to evaluate efficacy of best management practices to improve efficiency of pig growth rate on pasture and to ensure that pork quality will not be reduced.
PSV-7 Evaluation of Narasin Inclusion Level on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Pigs
Authors: Puls Christopher L , Arentson Roger A , Shields Michael , Carr Scott 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Previous studies evaluating 15 mg/kg of narasin have shown improvements in BW, ADG, and G:F. However, FDA approved labeling for narasin indicates improved G:F with increased inclusion levels (20 to 30 mg/kg), which may provide greater economic return with higher feed costs. Some commercial systems have shown improvements in ADG and G:F when feeding 20 or 30 mg/kg narasin compared with 15 mg/kg. As such, two studies were conducted to evaluate 30 mg/kg of narasin on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. Studies were carried out using a randomized complete block design with three narasin levels: 0, 15, or 30 mg/kg. Study 1 (2,545 pigs) was carried out from 42.6 ± 1.3 kg to 132.9 ± 3.6 kg. Study 2 (1,235 pigs) was carried out over a fixed time of 112 days from 39.1 ± 3.0 kg to 139.8 ± 3.5 kg. All pigs were fed diets that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations of growing-finishing pigs (NRC, 2012). Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study and weighed every 28 days and at every marketing event. Feed additions and feed remaining in the feeder at the time of pig weighing was recorded. Due to relatively low carcass recovery at the harvest facility, carcass data for Study 1 are not presented. Feeding 30 mg/kg of narasin did not improve (P &gt; 0.05) growth or carcass performance compared with feeding 15 mg/kg narasin (Table 1). Compared with controls, feeding 15 mg/kg narasin increased final body weight (1.3 kg and 1.5 kg for Study 1 and 2, respectively), increased hot carcass weight (1.9 kg – Study 2), and improved carcass yield (0.4 percentage units), although differences were not always statistically different (P &gt; 0.05). Overall G:F was improved 1.5% (P &lt; 0.05) in Study 1, but not different (P &gt; 0.05) than controls in Study 2. Results of this study confirm improvements in growth performance and carcass characteristics from feeding 15 mg/kg narasin to growing-finishing pigs. The outcomes of feeding 30 mg/kg of narasin were unexpected based on field outcomes and warrant further research.
PSV-2 Impact of Diseases in Pig Production on Carcass and Meat Quality
Authors: Fortier Marie-Pierre , Gagnon Patrick 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Several diseases, including Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome (PRRS), are present in pig herds. The effects of diseases on growth performance are generally well known, but there is a lack of information on the consequences on carcass and meat quality. The aim of this project was to assess the impact of diseases present in the nursery and finishing on performances, carcass yields and meat quality. The trial was carried out at the Deschambault Swine Evaluation Station, where a project aimed at evaluating disease resilience is being carried out. A total of 480 castrated piglets from 8 different batches entered the nursery barn every 3 weeks. Pigs were observed daily, and a careful examination of the clinical signs was carried out weekly on each animal, to separate pigs showing signs of disease from those in good health. Ultrasound measurements of back fat thickness, muscle depth and intramuscular fat (IMF) level were performed three different times during growth. When the pigs reached a body weight of approximately 120 kg, carcass quality and meat yield measurements were taken 18 to 24 hours after slaughter. The ultimate pH, color, water loss and marbling were measured on the loin. The presence of PRRS and other diseases had a significant impact on the growth performance of pigs in fattening and demonstrates that the presence of the virus in the herd significantly decreases the average daily gain (ADG). This difference has a direct impact on the number of days in fattening. Results for back fat thickness at the end of fattening show significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) between uninfected pigs (14.7 mm), pigs infected in nursery (13.9 mm) and fattening (12.8 mm) only, and pigs that have been ill both in nursery and fattening (12.4 mm). These results indicate that the presence of diseases leads to a decrease in fat deposition in pigs at the end of fattening. However, results for IMF measured at the end of fattening demonstrate that the presence of diseases had no significant impact on the final IMF level (P &gt; 0.10), varying between 2.05% for healthy pigs and 2.13% for animals that have been sick in nursery and fattening. The results obtained in the slaughterhouse have shown that the presence of diseases does not seem to have an impact on the various measures of meat quality (P &gt; 0.05). Only drip loss shows a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05) between healthy and sick animals. However, the low number of sick pigs in the batches evaluated could have limited the observed effects. The work carried out by the CDPQ has made it possible to quantify the impact of diseases by providing a better understanding of their impact on product quality.
PSI-17 Interactive Effects of Folic Acid and Zinc Oxide on Nursery Pig Growth Performance
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Gebhardt Jordan T 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
A total of 360 barrows (600×241, DNA; initially 5.5±0.029 kg) were used in a 38-d growth study to evaluate the effects of including increasing levels of folic acid (Rovimix Folic Acid, DSM, Parsippany, NJ) with or without pharmacological levels of Zn provided by zinc oxide (ZnO) on growth performance and fecal characteristics of nursery pigs. Pigs were weaned at approximately 19-d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments. A total of 72 pens were used with 5 pigs/pen and 12 replications/treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 3×2 factorial with main effects of folic acid (0, 20, or 40 mg/kg) and ZnO (3,000 mg/kg of Zn in phase 1 and 2,000 mg/kg in phase 2, or no added Zn other than 110 mg/kg from the trace mineral premix). Diets were corn-soybean meal based and fed in 2 phases. A common phase 3 diet with no folic acid and 110mg/kg of Zn was fed to all pigs. No significant (P &gt; 0.10) folic acid×ZnO interactions were observed. For the experimental period (d 0 to 24), pigs fed diets with pharmacological levels of Zn had improved (P ≤ 0.030; Table 1) d 24 BW, ADG, and ADFI. There was a quadratic (P &lt; 0.05) response for d 24 BW, ADG, and ADFI where pigs were fed 20 mg/kg folic acid had poorer performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg. For the common period (d 24 to 38), pigs previously fed diets without pharmacological Zn had improved (P = 0.028) feed efficiency compared with pigs previously fed pharmacological levels of Zn. Additionally, a quadratic (P= 0.008) response was observed in ADG and ADFI when pigs were previously fed folic acid with pigs fed 20 mg/kg having poorer performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg. Overall (d 0 to 38), there was a quadratic (P ≤ 0.003) response in final BW, ADG, and ADFI when pigs were fed folic acid with pigs fed 20 mg/kg having reduced performance compared with pigs fed 0 or 40 mg/kg; however, no overall differences (P &gt; 0.10) were observed when pigs were fed diets with or without pharmacological levels of Zn in phase 1 and 2 diets. No statistical differences (P &gt; 0.10) in mortality were observed when pigs were fed diets with or without pharmacological levels of Zn although pigs fed no supplemental folic acid had numerically the lowest mortality. Fecal DM percentage was greater (P = 0.007) on d 24 compared with d 9, with pigs fed diets with added Zn having reduced (P&lt; 0.001) frequency of diarrhea presence. In conclusion, the addition of 40 mg/kg folic acid did not influence nursery pig performance, but a negative response was observed at 20 mg/kg, regardless of Zn inclusion in the diet.