Quantification of classical swine fever virus in aerosols originating from pigs infected with strains of high, moderate or low virulence

Posted in: Welfare by admin on January 1, 2009 | No Comments

During epidemics of classical swine fever (CSF), the route of virus introduction into a farm is often unclear. One of the suggested routes is via the air. Under experimental conditions, airborne transmission over a short distance seems possible, but analysis of outbreak data is still inconclusive. For a better understanding of the role of airborne transmission, quantitative information is needed on concentrations of virus emitted by infected pigs. This was studied in four groups of 10 pigs in which three pigs were inoculated with either a low virulent strain (Zoelen), a low or high dose of amoderately virulent strain (Paderborn), or a highly virulent strain (Brescia). The other seven pigs in each group served as contact pigs. At several moments after infection, air samples were obtained using gelatine filters. Infectious virus and viral RNA were detected in the air of rooms housing the pigs infected with the moderately and highly virulent strains with titres of 101.2 to 103.0 TCID50/m3 of infectious virus, and 101.6 to 103.8 TCID50 equiv./m3 of viral RNA. It was observed that the higher the dose or virulence of the virus strain used for inoculation of the pigs, the sooner virus could be detected in the air samples. This is the first study describing the quantification of (infectious) CSFV in air samples of rooms housing infected pigs, enabling to quantify the contribution of individual infected pigs to virus concentrations in aerosols. This can be used as input for quantitative models of airborne spread over large distances.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/03781135

The role of novelty in environmental enrichment for the weaned pig

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Habituation to environmental enrichment objects can occur rapidly. Novelty of an object is an important property involved in initiating and maintaining exploration, and this can be achieved by renewing objects. The aims of this study were to assess whether alternation of two contrasting objects increased enrichment value, and whether simultaneous access increased overall object-directed behaviour in comparison with single presentation of each object.

The experiment was designed as a 2 X 2 factorial, with 2 enrichment objects (suspended rope and loose wood block) and 2 presentationmethods (continuous access, or weekly alternation). An additional treatment examined object use when both objectswere presented simultaneously. Five replicate pens, each of 10 weaned pigs, were allocated to each treatment: R, continuous rope; W, continuous wood; R/W, alternation rope-wood; W/R, alternation wood-rope; R + W, simultaneous rope and wood. Observations of behaviour were made for two 1-h periods, three times a week for a 4-week period. Direct scan samples at 5-min intervals measured use of the enrichment object(s), penmate and pen manipulation, and general activity. These were supplemented by two 24 h time-lapse video recordings made in the first and last experimental weeks. Object interaction was significantly affected by treatment, with W spending a lower overall proportion of observations in contact with the object than the other treatments (in order 0.102, 0.037, 0.093, 0.110, 0.134, s.e.d. 0.007; P < 0.001).

In R, week had a significant effect on rope interaction, which decreased in week 2 and increased again in week 3 when new rope was added, although rope interaction was still lower in week 3 than in week 1 (0.106 vs. 0.151, respectively, s.e.d. 0.017; P < 0.01). When R/W and W/R received rope for a second time, rope interaction was lower than in the first presentation week (R/W, 0.166 vs. 0.129, s.e.d. 0.017; P < 0.05). Interaction with wood was always lower than with rope (in R + W, 0.03 vs. 0.19, respectively, s.e.d. 0.027; P < 0.001). Object interaction was additive in R +W when compared to R and W.

To conclude, the rotation of enrichment objects did increase novelty, although habituation still occurred. Rope was extremely effective at occupying the pigs’ time, with interaction levels comparable to those previously reported for straw.

Potassium diformate in the diet of reproducing sows: Effect on performance of sows and litters

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This study questioned whether the addition of K-diformate to sow diets also would improve performance of sows and suckling piglets. The objective of this study was therefore to establish whether there is a beneficial effect of
using K-diformate in sow diets on body condition of sows, growth performance of piglets, nutrient digestibility, sow milk composition, and microbiota in sow feces. It was found that supplementing sow diets with K-diformate increased
backfat thickness of sows during gestation, increased digestibility of fat, ash, and content of estimated energy of diets during lactation, and increased birth weight and weaning weight of piglets. K-diformate supplemented diets did not affect the microbial population in the gastro-intestinal tract of the sows. Tendencies towards increased milk fat content of sows fed K-diformate require further evaluation.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci

Differential growth and development of pigs as assessed by X-ray computed tomography

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The purpose of this study was to quantify and mathematically describe the differential growth and development of body components of live pigs. Linear and non-linear models were developed to evaluate the patterns of growth and development of each body component realtive to the computed tomography (CT) BW. The results of this study indicate that the nonlinear (e.g. augmented allometric and generalized nonlinear) functions provided better descriptions of the growth and development of most body components of the live pig than did the simpler (e.g., linear and allometric) models.

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

Amino acid supplementation of hydrolyzed feather meal diets for finisher pigs

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This study determines the possibility of replacing soybean meal (SBM) in finisher pig diets completely with hydrolyzed feather meal (FM). It was concluded that the corn-FM diets were not as effective as the corn-SBM diet when it can to BW gain of finisher pigs. The results indicated that pigs fed the corn-FM diet supplemented with the necessary amino acids can utilize feed and amino acids for birthweight gain and lean gain as efficiently as those fed the corn-SBM diet.

For the full text please subscribe to the Journal of Animal Science

Dietary fiber for pregnant sows: Influence on sow physiology and performance during lactation

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This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding sows a bulky diet during gestation on their physiological and metabolic adaptations during the peripartum period, and to determine how these effects may relate to sow and piglet performances. It was found that the greater appetite of lactating sows fed a high fiber diet during gestation does not seem related to changes in glucose and insulin metabolism and may be partly due to decreased secretion of leptin. The greater feed consumption was accompanied by a faster growth rate of piglets without sparing effect on maternal body reserves.

For more information the full article can be found at http://jas.fass.org/

The pig CART (cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript) gene and association of its microsatellite polymorphism with production traits

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The cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) gene is a candidate gene that may affect performance and body composition traits in the pig. The purpose of this study was to establish the chromosomal localization and genomic sequence of the porcine CART gene, search for polymorphism and analyse its phenotypic effect in 644 pigs representing
two breeds, Polish Large White (PLW) and Polish Landrace (PL), and a synthetic line 990 (L990). The study confirmed that chromosome region harbouring the CART gene is a promising quantitative trait loci for pig production traits.

For more information the full article can be found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1439-0388/issues

Body composition and muscle glycogen contents of piglets of sows fed diets differing in fatty acids profile and contents

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It was hypothesised that the glycogen stores in newborn piglets will be depleted faster in light piglets than in heavy
piglets and that there might be differences regarding composition or relative organ sizes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of level and type of fat in diets for pregnant sows on the typical newborn piglet body composition, proportional organ size and muscle glycogen, and to compare with the extremes regarding body weight in the same litter at one day of age. It was found that the incorporation of fat into the diet during gestation does
not affect piglet body measurements; the present data provide additional information on the depletion of energy
reserves. The decline in muscle glycogen during the immediate postnatal period emphasizes the importance to the
neonatal piglet of an early external energy source. It would appear that sow dietary fat has relatively little effect on
progeny although the fatty acid composition in piglets should be determined.

For more information the full article can be found at http://www.journals.elsevierhealth.com/periodicals/livsci

Carefully planning manure management

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A new large-scale hog operation in North Dakota has carefully planned out its manure management program, and has addressed local concerns in the process. Owner Bruce Gibbens began building the $4 million operation two years ago. Elite Swine Inc contracts Dakota Country Swine LLP to raise and ship its pigs, totaling over 70,000 annually. Knowing up front that 20,000 hogs would be on the site at any one time allowed Gibbens to plan an effective manure
management system. Mikkelsen Construction out of Langdon, ND installed the system at the same time the buildings were being constructed.

Variety of manure management practices

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Due to the size and dispersed nature of its facilities, the Heimerl
hog operation in Ohio uses a variety of manure management
practices—from manure injection to a traveling irrigation gun, to
do the job right. In terms of the timing of application, Heimerl says they avoid
spreading on weekends to keep good relations with neighbors and
pay extra attention to water quality issues and application rates. When attempting to maintain a hog production business with
people
crowding in all around you, it takes an operation of this caliber to
successfully avoid the health and public relations nightmares that
can sometimes develop when city folk get an itch to move to the
country.