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Number of results: 18
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Abstract

Prolonged exposure to stress may cause adverse effects on animal physiology. It is especially important during the gestation period as female physiology can affect the unborn offspring in the form of prenatal stress. Intensive pig farming industry developed gestation crates that enable to keep sows during gestation period in small stalls which do not allow animals to move freely for a maximum of 4 weeks after successful insemination (Council Directive 2008/120/EC). Although these crates have production advantages, many health and welfare issues have been raised recently. In this study we tested to what extent the lack of movement of sows kept in the gestation crates had an impact on some blood and saliva constituents of new-born piglets. In total, the samples were collected from 80 piglets when they were 3, 7 and 21 days of age and tested for cortisol levels in blood and saliva, acute phase proteins (amyloid A, C-reactive protein, haptoglobin) and lymphocytes proliferation index (in response to ConA, PHA and PWM). 40 piglets were from sows kept in free movement housing (FM group) from day 1 to day 100 of pregnancy and forty piglets were from sows in the movement restriction group (MR), in which the sows were kept in crates just allowing them to stand up and lie down from day 1 to day 100 of the pregnancy (research was conducted before the implementation Directive 2008/120/EC i.e. January 1,2013). The results of the study showed that the piglets delivered by sows kept under movement restriction conditions exhibited higher cortisol and acute phase protein levels as well as a lower lymphocytes proliferation index. This suggests that lack of movement in sows during the gestation period influences piglets’ physiology and indicates that the piglets are suffering from prenatal stress caused by insufficient housing conditions of their mothers potentially leading to poor health and welfare of their offspring.
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Authors and Affiliations

M. Kulok
1
K. Wojtas
2
M. Ciorga
3
Z. Pejsak
4
R. Kołacz
3

  1. Veterinary Clinic, Lisiny 33, 63-604 Baranów, Poland
  2. Compassion in World Farming International, River Court, Mill Lane, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1EZ, United Kingdom
  3. Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Gagarina 11, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
  4. University Centre of Veterinary Medicine, Mickiewicza 24/28, 30-059 Kraków, Poland
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Abstract

Zinc oxide (ZnO) has been applied for many years in the production of pigs to reduce the number of diarrhoea in weaned piglets. In June 2022, the European Union banned the use of zinc oxide (ZnO) in pig feed. According to scientific reports, the may reason was the accumulation of this microelement in the environment of pig production. It has been shown that frequent application of ZnO can lead to increased antibiotic resistance in pathogenic swine microflora. The main alternatives to ZnO are probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, essential oils, and liquid feeding systems.
Alternatives to ZnO can be successfully used in pig production to reduce the number of diarrhoea among piglets during the postweaning period. Additional reports indicated that bacteriophage supplementation has a positive effect on the health of pigs. The article provides an overview of current ZnO substitutes that can be used in pig farming.
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Authors and Affiliations

Z. Pejsak
1
P. Kaźmierczak
2
A.F. Butkiewicz
2
J. Wojciechowski
3
G. Woźniakowski
4

  1. University Center of Veterinary Medicine JU-AU, Mickiewicza Avenue 24/28, 30-059 Krakow, Poland
  2. Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
  3. Private Veterinary Practice, Grabowa 3, 86-300 Grudziadz, Poland
  4. Department of Infectious and Invasive Diseases and Veterinary Administration, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
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Abstract

Four and a half years of African Swine Fever (ASF) in population of free-ranging wild boars and domestic pigs revealed a number of novel insights into the disease epidemiology. Until November 20th, 2018, in total 3048 cases in wild boars and 213 outbreaks in domestic pigs have been confirmed. In spite of low contagiosity as well as low rate of ASF spread in wild boars the disease has an enormous socio-economical impact on the production of pigs in Poland. One of the most important aspects which directly influences the dynamics of ASF spread is the unpredictable hu- man activity. Another important factor responsible for continuous ASF spread is fast recovery of wild boar population in spite of efforts taken by hunters. Assuming our scientific opinion ASF seems to be present in wildlife for the incoming few or several years. Therefore, extraordinary measures should be prepared and undertaken to limit the risk of the occurrence of future out- breaks in domestic pigs. One of the most crucial issues is implementation of strict biosecurity measures in all domestic pigs holdings.

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Authors and Affiliations

Z. Pejsak
K. Niemczuk
M. Frant
M. Pomorska-Mól
A. Ziętek-Barszcz
Ł. Bocian
M. Łyjak
D. Borowska
G. Woźniakowski

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