Parameters of pre and post weaning distress in piglets housed in intensive indoor production systems

ASHWORTH G.; BERARDO D.; RODRIGUEZ N.; MAYER N.; ALUSTIZA F.; GARCÍA G.; SACCHETTA R.; GAUNA H.; VIVAS A.; GRECO C.

Tafí del Valle. Tucumán

Jornada; XXV Jornadas Científicas de la Asociación de Biología de Tucumán; 2008

Asociación de Biología de Tucumán

Intensive indoor systems could be affect the animal health and welfare and impact on the production. The aim of this work was to evaluate some physiological parameters related to distress pre-and post-weaning in piglets housed in intensive indoor production system. The study was carried out on 50 piglets from 10 mothers hybrids of Large White x Landrace basis, with identical genetics, nutrition and handling, reared in confinement with light and temperature controlled. A blood sample to 48 hs pre-weaning (14 days old) and 6 days post-weaning (20 days old) was collected. Plasma levels of cortisol, creatinine, urea and Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and neutrophil:lymphocyte (N:L) ratio were measured. Urea and GOT are within normal values without significant difference between pre-and post-weaning, showing hepatic and renal health. A significant increase of creatinine in post-weaning (p=0.0001) was observed that could be attributed to change in diet from milk to solid food. There are no differences in cortisol levels between pre-and post-weaning. On the contrary the N:L ratio was increase in post-weaning. This result show that in intensive indoor system with environmental condition controlled, the exposure to adverse situation is minimal and avoid the causes of distress