Evaluating the Effects of In Utero Heat Stress on Piglet Physiology and Behavior Following Weaning and Transport

摘要

Simple SummaryTransporting weaned piglets from the farrowing house to a nursery or grow/finish site is a common but stressful procedure in United States swine production. Piglets removed from the sow at weaning undergo feed and water withdrawal during transportation, and this stress is further compounded by an abrupt change from a liquid to solid diet upon arrival at their destination. As a result, newly weaned and transported piglets exhibit reduced body weight and signs of dehydration post-transport. Unfortunately, in utero stressors can modify the offspring’s physiological, immune, and behavioral responses during postnatal life and may pre-dispose animals to a greater stress response when exposed to novel postnatal procedures, such as weaning and transport. Therefore, the study objective was to evaluate the effects of in utero heat stress on the behavior and physiology of piglets following weaning and transport. We hypothesized that in utero heat-stressed piglets would exhibit a greater behavioral and physiological stress response following weaning and transportation. Additionally, in utero heat-stressed piglets were expected to show physiological signs of metabolic stress immediately following weaning and transport. It was determined that there was some evidence for altered physiological and behavioral responses among in utero heat stressed piglets compared to in utero thermoneutral piglets following weaning and transport.