The objective of this study was to examine the effects of production (the number and weight of pigs produced over a lifetime) on the physical and mechanical properties of the metacarpals of cull sows, the prevalence of osteochondrosis and conformation traits. Metacarpals (n=79) and forelimbs (n=36) from cull sows were collected at slaughter. Bones were CT scanned for cross-sectional area and moment of inertia. Cylindrical sections from the diaphysis were used for mechanical testing and for calculating bone strength indices. The value of elastic (Young's) modulus, dry bone ash percentage, apparent bone density and bone mineral density did not decrease with the parity of the sows. Osteochondrosis was found in all the sows. The most severe lesions were in the medial condyle of the humerus and the anconeal process of the ulna. No relationship was found between lameness and joint pathology.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/vr.b4773 | DOI Listing |
Vet World
July 2024
Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology, Private bag X680, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
Background And Aim: A piglet's pre-weaning performance significantly influences both animal welfare and profitability in pig production. Understanding piglet pre-weaning performance influencing factors is key to enhancing animal welfare, reducing losses, and boosting profitability. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of parity, season of birth, and sex on within-litter variation and pre-weaning performance of F1 Large White × Landrace pigs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Sci Anim Resour
January 2024
Division of Applied Life Science (BK21four), Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea.
This study aims to compare the chemical composition, quality, and muscle fiber characteristics of cull sows and commercial pigs, investigating the effect of changes in muscle fiber characteristics on pork quality. The proximate composition, color, pH, water-holding capacity (drip loss and cooking loss), protein solubility, total collagen content, and muscle fiber characteristics of cull sows (n=20) and commercial pigs (n=20) pork were compared. No significant differences were found between cull sows and commercial pigs in terms of proximate composition, drip loss, protein solubility, or total collagen content of their meat (p<0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRes Vet Sci
March 2024
Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, PO-box 50, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark.
This factorial study was part of a project examining potential welfare challenges for cull sows in the pre-slaughter logistic chain, and examined effects of journey duration and presence of a longer pre-planned stop half-way during journeys on their post-transport clinical condition. The sows were transported 4, 6 or 8 h under conditions modelling typical Danish practice. In addition, across 49 journeys, effects of temperature inside the vehicle and time spent waiting before unloading at the slaughterhouse were examined.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFVet Sci
October 2023
Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), AL4Animals, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal.
The Bísaro pig is a Portuguese autochthonous breed greatly appreciated for its meat quality and is mainly reared outdoors. Immunocastration could be a solution to avoid undesirable pregnancies and boar taint in cull sows. The present study tested three immunocastration protocols (with Improvac) according to their reproductive cycle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRes Vet Sci
November 2023
Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, 8830 Tjele, Denmark.
This observational field study investigated the effects of journey duration, temperature, and waiting duration before unloading on the behaviour of 562 cull sows during lairage from 23 commercial loads. Each load consisted of sows originating from more than one herd, thus experiencing variable pre-slaughter transport and management. In lairage, sows were mixed in groups of 25, involving animals from all journey durations (min-max: 0.
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