scholarly journals Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Heat Lamp

Abstract Piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature immediately after birth, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a completely randomized design with four treatments (applied to piglets at birth): Control (no drying or warming), Desiccant (dried using a desiccant), Warming Box (placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min), and Desiccant + Warming Box (both dried and warmed as above). Farrowing pens had one heat lamp, temperatures under which were similar to the warming box (35 °C). A total of 68 litters (866 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, each piglet was identified with a numbered ear tag and weighed; rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures model using PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit, piglet was a subsample of the litter; and the model included the fixed effects of treatment, time (the repeated measure), and the interaction. Rectal temperatures at birth and 1,440 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. At all times between 10 and 120 min after birth, Control piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than the other three treatments. The Desiccant and Warming Box treatments had similar (P > 0.05) temperatures at most measurement times, but the Desiccant + Warming Box treatment had the highest (P ≤ 0.05) rectal temperatures at most times between 10 and 60 min. In addition, for all treatments, light (<1.0 kg) birth weight piglets had lower (P ≤ 0.05) temperatures than medium (1.0–1.5 kg) or heavy (>1.5 kg) piglets at all times between 10 and 120 min. In addition, at these measurement times, the deviation in temperature between the Control and the other three treatments was greater for light than medium or heavy piglets. In conclusion, both drying and warming piglets at birth significantly increased rectal temperatures between 10 and 120 min after birth, with the combination of the two interventions having the greatest effect, especially for low birth weight piglets.

scholarly journals Effect of method of drying piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth1

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
The Other ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Weight Category ◽  
Paper Towel ◽  
Drying Treatment

Abstract Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of two commercially applicable methods for drying piglets at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out in standard commercial farrowing facilities with 52 litters, using a completely randomized design with three Drying Treatments: Control (not dried); Desiccant (dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (dried at birth using paper towels). Litters were randomly allotted to treatments at the birth of the first piglet. At birth, piglets were individually identified, and the treatment was applied. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1,440 min (24 h) after birth. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS, with litter as the experimental unit and piglet a subsample of the litter. The model included the fixed effects of treatment and time (as a repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on temperature at birth, or 10 or 1,440 min after birth. Piglet temperatures between 20 and 120 min after birth were similar (P > 0.05) for the Desiccant and Paper Towel treatments, but were greater (P ≤ 0.05) than the Control. The effect of birth weight on the response to Drying Treatment was evaluated by dividing the data into Light (<1.0 kg), Medium (1.0 to 1.5 kg), or Heavy (>1.5 kg) piglet Birth Weight Categories. Piglet rectal temperature data at each measurement time were analyzed using a model that included the fixed effects of Birth Weight Category, Drying Treatment, and the interaction. Temperatures of Light piglets were lower (P ≤ 0.05) than those of Heavy piglets between 20 and 120 min after birth, with Medium piglets being intermediate and generally different to the other two weight categories at these times. The difference in temperature between Light as compared with Medium or Heavy piglets was greater for the Control than the other two Drying Treatments at 60 min after birth. These results suggest that drying piglets at birth is an effective method to reduce rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period, especially for low birth weight piglets.

scholarly journals Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth under warm farrowing room temperatures on piglet rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Completely Randomized Design

Abstract Piglets experience a decline in body temperature immediately after birth, and both drying and warming piglets at birth reduces this. However, these interventions may have less effective at higher farrowing room temperatures. This study was carried out at a commercial facility to compare the effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on postnatal rectal temperature (RT) under relatively warm farrowing room temperatures (26.6 ± 2.09°C). Forty-five sows/litters were used in a completely randomized design to compare three Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Warming (piglets placed in a plastic box under a heat lamp for 30 min); Drying+Warming (piglets dried with desiccant and warmed as above). Temperatures in the warming boxes over the study period averaged 37.7 ± 2.75°C. At birth, piglets were weighed; RT temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Blood samples were collected at 24 h after birth from a subsample of one piglet from each birth weight quartile within each litter to measure plasma immunocrit concentration. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS with litter as the experimental unit; and piglet a subsample of litter. The model for analysis of piglet rectal temperature included fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), the interaction, and the random effect of sow. Compared to the Control, piglet RT were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Warming treatment between 10 and 60 min, and higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment between 10 and 120 min after birth. Rectal temperatures were higher (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Warming treatment between 20 and 120 min. Responses to drying and/or warming were greater for low birth weight piglets (< 1.0 kg) than heavier littermates, but were generally less than observed in previous experiments with similar treatments carried out under cooler temperatures. Piglet immunocrit values were lower (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming treatment compared to the other treatments, which were similar (P > 0.05). Immunocrit values tended (P = 0.10) to be lower for light (< 1.0 kg) compared to heavier birth weight piglets. In conclusion, drying and warming piglets at birth was more effective for reducing piglet RT decline after birth than warming alone, though the effect was less than observed in previous studies carried out under cooler farrowing room temperatures.

scholarly journals PSV-7 Effects of drying and oxygenation of piglets at birth on rectal temperatures in the early post-natal period

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 154-155
Author(s):  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Richard Gates ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
The Other ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Potential Treatment ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
Oxygen Treatment ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract Piglets often experience hypothermia early after birth. Previous research has suggested that drying piglets and administration of oxygen (a potential treatment for asphyxiation) at birth may increase post-natal rectal temperatures. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of drying and administering oxygen at birth on piglet rectal temperature over the first 24 h after birth. The study, conducted at a commercial facility, used a CRD with 42 sows/litters randomly allotted at start of farrowing to 3 treatments (applied at birth): Control (no drying or oxygenation); Dried (using a cellulose-based desiccant); Dried+Oxygen [dried and placed in a chamber (40% oxygen) for 20 min]. At birth, piglets were weighed and uniquely identified. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a subsample of litter. The statistical model included effects of treatment, time of measurement, and the interaction. Both the Dried and Dried+Oxygen treatments had greater (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than the Control between 20 and 120 min. However, the Dried+Oxygen treatment had lower (P < 0.05) rectal temperatures than the Dried treatment between 20 and 60 minutes. Temperatures at 1440 min were lower (P < 0.05) for the Dried+Oxygen than the other treatments; however, differences were small. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth increased rectal temperatures over the first 2 h after birth. The combination of drying piglets at birth and placement in an oxygen chamber for 20 min was less effective at moderating post-natal temperature changes than drying alone. Further research on piglet oxygenation is necessary to understand the reason for these reduced temperatures, and whether this treatment affects pre-weaning mortality. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

scholarly journals 7 Effect of piglet birth weight and drying on post-natal changes in rectal temperature

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 4-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Yijie Xiong ◽  
Richard Gates
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Heat Lamp ◽  
Drying Treatment ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of piglet birth weight and drying piglets at birth on post-natal rectal temperatures using a CRD with 2 treatments: 1) Drying (not dried vs. dried at birth with a desiccant); 2) Birth weight [4 within-litter birth weight quartiles (Q1: 1.13 ± 0.33 kg, Q2: 1.43 ± 0.28 kg, Q3: 1.62 ± 0.28 kg, Q4: 1.81 ± 0.28 kg)]. Sows (26) and litters (281 piglets) were randomly allotted to drying treatment and were housed in farrowing crates with a heat lamp; room temperature was set at 22.8°C. Piglets were weighed at birth and rectal temperature measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC); the model included fixed effects of litter birth weight quartile and drying treatment and interaction, and time (repeated measure), and random effect of sow. Mean piglet birth weight and rectal temperature at birth were 1.49 ± 0.39 kg and 39.2 ± 0.43°C, respectively. There were no drying by birth weight treatment interactions. Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for the drying and birth weight treatments at birth and 240 and 1440 min (Table 1). Drying increased (P < 0.05) rectal temperature from 15 to 180 min; the greatest difference was at 45 min (2.4°C). Temperatures were similar (P > 0.05) for Q2, 3, and 4 from 15 to 180 min. Quartile 1 had a lower (P < 0.05) temperature than the 3 heavier quartiles from 15 to 180 min, except at 120 min when temperatures were similar for Q1 and 2. The lightest piglets exhibited the greatest post-natal temperature decline and drying of piglets at birth reduced the post-natal temperature decline in piglets of all weights.

scholarly journals PSV-4 Effect of drying and/or warming piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 hours after birth

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 157-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Rapid Decrease ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Heat Lamp ◽  
Newborn Piglets ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
All Treatment

Abstract Newborn piglets experience a rapid decrease in body temperature, increasing the risk of mortality. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of drying and/or warming at birth on piglet rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a CRD with 4 treatments: Control (no drying or warming of piglets), Drying (piglets dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant), Warming (piglets placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min after birth), and Drying+Warming (piglets dried and warmed as above). Piglets were identified with a numbered ear tag. They were weighed at birth and rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min (24 h) after birth. Sows and litters were randomly allotted at birth to treatments. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit and piglet was a subsample of the litter; the model included the fixed effects of treatment and repeated time, and the interaction. Rectal temperature at birth was similar (P > 0.05) for all treatments. Subsequently, piglets on the Drying and Warming treatments had similar (P > 0.05) temperatures, which were greater (P 0.05) than the Control at all measurement times up to 120 min. Drying+Warming resulted in the highest (P < 0.05) rectal temperature overall and at most times of measurement between 10 and 120 min. Rectal temperatures were similar for all treatment at 24 h after birth. In conclusion, drying and/or warming piglets at birth significantly increased rectal temperatures between 10 and 120 minutes after birth with the combination of the two having the greatest effect. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

scholarly journals 85 The effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on pre-weaning mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 2-3
Author(s):  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Katie Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Weaning Weight

Abstract Piglets are susceptible to chilling early after birth, which is a major pre-disposing factor for pre-weaning mortality (PWM). This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM at a commercial facility. A CRD was used with 802 sows (litters), allotted at start of farrowing to 2 treatments (applied at birth): Control (no treatment); Dried+Warmed (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and warmed in a heated box for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. The effects of farrowing room temperature on PWM were evaluated by classifying litters as being born under Cool or Warm conditions (&lt; 25° C and ≥ 25°C, respectively). Similarly, effects of birth weight on PWM were evaluated by classifying piglets into 3 Birth Weight Categories (BWC; &lt; 1.0 kg, 1.0-1.5 kg, or &gt; 1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze PWM and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of treatment, and farrowing room temperature or BWC as appropriate, and the random effect of piglet within litter. Rectal temperature at 30 min after birth, measured on a sub-sample of 10% of litters, was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for the Dried+Warmed than the Control treatment. There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of drying and warming piglets on weaning weight or overall PWM. Additionally, PWM was similar across treatments within each BWC. However, the Dried+Warmed treatment reduced (P &lt; 0.05) PWM compared to the Control under Cool but not Warm farrowing room temperatures. In conclusion, this suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may be an effective method to reduce piglet PWM under cooler farrowing room temperatures. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

scholarly journals Effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on preweaning mortality

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Andres F Tolosa ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
Catherine B Brown ◽  
Stephan A S Alencar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Intervention Treatment ◽  
Completely Randomized Design ◽  
Kg Medium

Abstract Piglets are susceptible to hypothermia early after birth, which is a major predisposing factor for preweaning mortality (PWM). Drying and warming piglets at birth has been shown to reduce early postnatal temperature decline. This study evaluated the effect of drying and warming piglets at birth on PWM and weaning weight (WW) under commercial conditions. A completely randomized design was used with 802 sows/litters (10,327 piglets); sows/litters were randomly allotted at start of farrowing to one of two Intervention Treatments (applied at birth): Control (no drying or warming); Drying+Warming (dried with a cellulose-based desiccant and placed in a box under a heat lamp for 30 min). Piglets were weighed at birth and weaning; PWM was recorded. Rectal temperature was measured at 0 and 30 min after birth on all piglets in a subsample of 10% of litters. The effect of farrowing pen temperature (FPT) on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing litters born under COOL (&lt;25°C) to those born under WARM (≥25°C) FPT. The effect of birth weight on WW and PWM was evaluated by comparing three birth weight categories (BWC; Light: &lt;1.0 kg, Medium: 1.0 to 1.5 kg, or Heavy: &gt;1.5 kg). PROC GLIMMIX and MIXED of SAS were used to analyze mortality and other data, respectively. Litter was the experimental unit; piglet was a subsample of litter. The model included fixed effects of Intervention Treatment, and FPT or BWC as appropriate, the interaction, and the random effects of litter. Piglet rectal temperature at 30 min after birth was greater (P ≤ 0.05) for the Drying+Warming than the Control treatment (+2.33°C). Overall, there was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of Intervention Treatment on PWM or WW, and there were no Intervention Treatment by BWC interactions (P &gt; 0.05) for these measurements. There was an Intervention Treatment by FPT interaction (P ≤ 0.05) for PWM. Drying and warming piglets reduced (P ≤ 0.05) PWM under COOL (by 2.4 percentage units) but not WARM FPT. In addition, WW were lower (P ≤ 0.05) under WARM (by 0.79 kg) than COOL FPT; however, there was no interaction (P &gt; 0.05) with Intervention Treatment. In conclusion, this study suggests that drying and warming piglets at birth increases rectal temperature and may reduce PWM under cooler conditions, which are typically experienced in temperate climates during the majority of the year.

scholarly journals 6 Effect of method of drying piglets at birth on rectal temperature over the first 24 hours after birth

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Andres Tolosa ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Caleb M Shull ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Temperature ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Mortality Risk ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Drying Methods ◽  
Paper Towel ◽  
Paper Towels

Abstract Piglets are born wet, and evaporation of that moisture decreases body temperature, increasing the mortality risk. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of 2 commercially-applicable piglet drying methods on rectal temperature over 24 h after birth. The study was carried out at a commercial sow facility using a CRD with 3 treatments: Control (piglets not dried); Desiccant (piglets dried at birth using a cellulose-based desiccant); Paper Towel (piglets dried at birth using paper towels). Piglets were weighed at birth and individually identified with a numbered ear tag. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 1440 min (24 h) after birth. Sows and litters were randomly allotted to treatments. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures model with PROC MIXED of SAS. Litter was the experimental unit and piglet was a subsample of the litter; the model included the fixed effects of treatment and repeated time, and the interaction. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of treatment on rectal temperature at birth, or at 10 min or 24 h after birth. The Desiccant and Paper Towel treatments had greater (P < 0.05) temperatures than the Control at all times of measurement from 20 to 120 min after birth. Piglets on the Desiccant treatment had greater (P < 0.05) temperatures than those on the Paper Towel treatment between 30 and 120 min after birth. In conclusion, drying piglets at birth with either a desiccant or paper towels increases rectal temperatures between 20 and 120 minutes after birth, with the greatest effect being for the desiccant. Further research is needed to compare other methods of increasing piglet temperature and to determine if drying of piglets impacts pre-weaning mortality. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

PSIII-3 Effect of Type of Desiccant Used to Dry Piglets at Birth on Postnatal Changes in Rectal Temperature

2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 156-156
Author(s):  
Alicia Olivo Espinal ◽  
Naomi C Willard ◽  
Katherine D Vande Pol ◽  
Nicole K Moest ◽  
Michael Ellis
Keyword(s):  
Birth Control ◽  
Rectal Temperature ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Birth Data

Abstract All piglets experience hypothermia immediately after birth, which can be a predisposing factor for pre-weaning mortality. Drying piglets at birth with a desiccant reduces the extent and duration of postnatal temperature decline. This study compared the effectiveness of different types of commercially-available desiccant products using a CRD with four treatments (applied at birth): Control (piglets not dried) and 3 Desiccant Product treatments [dried with a Mineral-based, Cellulose-based, or Mixed (mineral and cellulose-based) desiccant]. Sows (40) and litters (546 piglets) were randomly allotted to a treatment at the birth of the first piglet. Sows were housed in individual farrowing crates within pens; a heat lamp was suspended over one side of each pen. Room temperature was set at 22.8°C throughout farrowing. Piglets were weighed at birth, those on the Desiccant Product treatments were coated with desiccant until completely dry, and then returned to the pen. Piglet rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC). The model included the fixed effects of treatment, measurement time (repeated measure), and the interaction. There was no effect (P &gt; 0.05) of treatment on rectal temperatures at birth. At all other measurement times, piglets on the Control treatment had lower (P &lt; 0.05) rectal temperatures than those on the 3 Desiccant Product treatments, which had similar (P &gt; 0.05) rectal temperatures. These results suggest that the 3 commercial desiccant products evaluated were equally effective at minimizing the extent and duration of piglet rectal temperature decline in the early postnatal period.

scholarly journals PSV-5 Effect of oxygen administration to piglets at birth on post-natal body temperatures

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 154-154
Author(s):  
Naomi Cooper ◽  
Katherine Vande Pol ◽  
Michael Ellis ◽  
Yijie Xiong ◽  
Richard Gates
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
Treatment Time ◽  
Repeated Measure ◽  
Experimental Unit ◽  
Oxygen Administration ◽  
Oxygen Treatment ◽  
Ambient Oxygen ◽  
Effect Of Oxygen

Abstract Newborn piglets are susceptible to hypothermia, and associated mortality. Previous research suggested exposing neo-natal piglets to elevated oxygen concentrations reduced post-natal body temperature decline. This study evaluated the effects of oxygen administration at birth on piglet temperatures over 24 h after birth. This study used 296 piglets (24 litters) and was carried out in a standard farrowing facility consisting of crates within pens with a heat lamp. A GRBD was used; sow was the blocking factor; piglet the experimental unit. A replicate was 3 littermates of similar BW; piglets were randomly allotted at birth within replicate to treatment: 1) Control [dried at birth (with a desiccant); returned to farrowing pen]; 2) Ambient Oxygen (dried; placed in a chamber at ambient temperature and oxygen concentration for 20 min); 3) 40% Oxygen (dried; placed in a chamber at ambient temperature and 40% oxygen concentration for 20 min). Piglets were weighed at birth. Rectal temperature was measured at 0, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240 and 1440 min after birth. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. The model included fixed effects of treatment, time of measurement (repeated measure), and the interaction and random effects of block and replicate. There was no treatment effect (P &gt; 0.05) on temperatures at birth and between 120 and 1440 min. Compared to the Control, temperatures were lower (P &lt; 0.05) for the 40% Oxygen treatment between 20 and 90 min and for the Ambient Oxygen treatment between 20 and 45 min. Temperatures at 60 and 90 min for the Ambient Oxygen treatment were intermediate to and not different (P &gt; 0.05) from the other treatments. Results suggest that exposing neo-natal piglets to an oxygen-rich environment in a chamber does not reduce post-natal temperature decline. This research was funded by the National Pork Board.

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