Hair cortisol of pigs in mixed organic farms: the influence of season, breeding system and sex.

Introduction: Measurement of hair cortisol concentration (HCC) is a useful tool for assessing the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and thus evaluating the long-term adrenocortical response in different animal species and breeds. Robust indigenous pig breeds are highly adapted to the local environment and are preferred for organic farming, compared to the commercial breeds. We investigated whether seasonality, breeding system (indoor or outdoor) and sex influence HCC of pigs reared on organic farms.

Microbiota composition of an autochthonous Krškopolje pig breed reared in two different organic production systems.

It has been shown that different production systems (conventional vs. pasture-raised pigs) and co-rearing of pigs with other livestock influence the gut microbiota composition in pigs. In this study, two independent trials were conducted to investigate the 16S fecal microbiota of the autochthonous Krškopolje pig.

Pharmacokinetics of single dose levobupivacaine after peri-incisional subcutaneous infiltration in anaesthetized domestic pigs.

Increasing use of pigs as models in translational research, and growing focus on animal welfare are leading to better use of effective analgesics and anaesthetics when painful procedures are performed. However, there is a gap in basic knowledge such as pharmacokinetics of different anaesthetics in these species. The main objective of our study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of levobupivacaine in domestic pigs.

Histologic changes of porcine portal vein anastomosis after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is used for treatment of unresectable abdominal malignancies. This study aims to show that ECT of porcine portal vein anastomosis is safe and feasible in order to extend the indications for margin attenuation after resection of locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma. No marked differences were found between the control group and ECT treated groups.

Risk Factor Impact on African Swine Fever Transmission in Different Extensive Pig Production Settings in Serbia.

The first case of ASF in a domestic pig population in Serbia was confirmed in 2019 in a backyard population. Today, outbreaks in wild boar and, more importantly, in domestic pigs are still occurring, although the government measures for ASF prevention are in place. The aim of this study was to determine critical risk factors and identify the possible reasons for ASF introduction into different extensive pig farms.

Evaluation of Biosecurity Measures in Pig Holdings in Slovenia as a Risk Assessment for the Introduction of African Swine Fever Virus.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is persistently spreading and hindering pork production in Europe. Slovenia is one of the last countries in Central Europe without a confirmed ASF case in domestic pigs or in wild boar. The aim of this study was to assess the current biosecurity implementation on different types of pig farms.

Discrepancies between farmers' perceptions and actual animal welfare conditions on commercial pig farms.

Animal welfare is a multiparameteral concept that encompasses the physical and mental health of animals and includes various aspects such as physical wellbeing, absence of hunger and thirst, and ability to express motivated behavior, to which farmers usually attach different importance. The objectives of this study were to evaluate animal welfare on Slovenian commercial pig farms, to determine whether farmers' perceived importance of animal welfare differ from actual animal welfare on farms and to determine, if farmer's age, gender, their level of education and participation in vocational training have an influence. For that purpose, we created an Animal Welfare Protocol/Questionnaire for Pig Farms (AWQ/P-P) that assessed several parameters of animal welfare: (1) general status, (2) animal behavior, (3) health status, (4) living conditions, and (5) environmental conditions.

Safety and Feasibility of Electrochemotherapy of the Pancreas in a Porcine Model.

Objectives: The use of thermal ablative therapies in the pancreatic tumors is limited because of the risk of the vessel injury and potential pancreatitis or fistula formation. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an ablative therapy with an established role in the treatment of cutaneous and liver tumors. This study was designed to evaluate the safety and feasibility of ECT of the pancreas in a porcine survival model.

A molecular survey and phylogenetic analysis of porcine circovirus type 3 using oral fluid, faeces and serum.

Background: Porcine circovirus type 3 is the most recently discovered porcine circovirus, and an emerging pathogen. In this study the status of its presence on some Slovenian farms is reported. The effectiveness of the vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 was assessed against porcine circovirus type 3.

Molecular detection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, porcine circovirus 2 and hepatitis E virus in oral fluid compared to their detection in faeces and serum.

Background: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus (PRRSV), Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) are common and economically important viral disease causative agents detected in pig oral fluid (OF), faeces and serum at some infection stages. The purpose of this study was to detect PRRSV, PCV2 and HEV on six pig farms to determine which of the three sample types, OF, faeces or serum is appropriate for the diagnosis of these viruses in different pig categories. The following pig categories were included: 5 weeks-old (w/o), 7 w/o, 9 w/o, 11 w/o weaners, fatteners and breeding sows.

Radiological findings of porcine liver after electrochemotherapy with bleomycin.

Background Radiologic findings after electrochemotherapy of large hepatic blood vessels and healthy hepatic parenchyma have not yet been described. Materials and methods We performed a prospective animal model study with regulatory approval, including nine grower pigs. In each animal, four ultrasound-guided electroporated regions were created; in three regions, electrodes were inserted into the lumen of large hepatic vessels.

Large Liver Blood Vessels and Bile Ducts Are Not Damaged by Electrochemotherapy with Bleomycin in Pigs.

The first clinical studies on the use of electrochemotherapy to treat liver tumours that were not amenable to surgery or thermal ablation techniques have recently been published. However, there is still a lack of data on the effects of electrochemotherapy on normal liver tissue. Therefore, we designed a translational animal model study to test whether electrochemotherapy with bleomycin causes clinically significant damage to normal liver tissue, with emphasis on large blood vessels and bile ducts.

Variations in the detection of anti-PEDV antibodies in serum samples using three diagnostic tests - short communication.

Over the last few years several porcine epidemic diarrhoea (PED) outbreaks have been discovered in Europe including the first PED case in Slovenia in January 2015. The aim of this study was to determine when PED virus (PEDV) infection started in Slovenia. Serum samples collected between 2012 and 2016 were tested.

Relevant Measures to Prevent the Spread of African Swine Fever in the European Union Domestic Pig Sector.

During the past decade, African swine fever (ASF) has spread from the Caucasus region to eastern European Union countries affecting domestic pig and wild boar populations. In order to avert ASF spread, mitigation measures targeting both populations have been established. However, despite these efforts, ASF has been reported in thirteen different countries (Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Belarus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Czech Republic, and Romania).

Serum inoculation as a possibility for elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) from a farrow-to-finish pig farm.

The large heterogeneity among porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) isolates is probably the main obstacle to its effective control using current commercial vaccines. Intentionally exposing all breeding pigs to PRRSV circulating on the farm could eliminate porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) from the herd. The objective of this study was to eliminate PRRS from a farrow-to-finish pig farm by serum inoculation.

The effect of the combination of acids and tannin in diet on the performance and selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters in grower pigs.

Background: The abolition of in-feed antibiotics or chemotherapeutics as growth promoters have stimulated the swine industry to look for alternatives such as organic acids, botanicals, probiotics and tannin. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of a combination of acids and tannin with diet with organic acids and diet without growth promoters on the growth performance and selected biochemical, haematological and antioxidant enzyme parameters in grower pigs. Tannin is more natural and cheaper but possibly with the same effectiveness as organic acids with regard to growth performance.