Behavioral and physiological responses of sows and gilts (Sus scrofa L.) exposed to varying temperature humidity index (THI)
2015
Lontoc, C.A.A.
Two studies were conducted to identify the effects of evaporative cooling system (ECS) on sow productivity performance on-farm and another study aimed to understand the physiological, behavioral responses and plasma HSP 70 of 6 mos-old gilts (98+-6 kg), exposed at gradual increase in chamber's temperature humidity index (THI). The first study was accomplished from February to November 2014 comprising three batches of sows (batch 1=99; batch 2=91; batch 3=77) at different parities. Results showed that for batch 1, late parity sows (above 5) from ECS obtained 3.6d earlier weaning to service interval (WSI). Also, late parity sows in batch 2, from ECS obtained higher total pigs born (TPB) and litter size born alive (LSB), i.e. 2.85 and 2.7, respectively (P0.05). Comparable results were observed for batch 3 in all sow productivity parameters. Batches 2 and 3 i.e. from April to November obtained a THI value of 76-84 in ECS while non-ECS obtained 79-87.5. Sows of batches 2 and 3 even in ECS experienced stress, suggesting limited benefit of ECS. The second study involved video monitoring of behavior for 3 days in each THI set-up. The plasma, pulse, respiration, rectal temperature and feed intake were sampled at 0700 and 1500 hours of the first day exposure to a given THI set-up. The plasma HSP 70 was elevated (P0.05) at THI 71 (3.42 to 3.46 ng/l), indicative of stress. The respiration rate increased significantly beyond THI 77. The interaction of period of the day and temperature humidity index shows that at THI 77, morning and afternoon meals are significantly lower than THI 71. Therefore, cumulative average morning or afternoon meal intake duration lower 2250 seconds (37 minutes) is the best indicator of stress in gilts.
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