scholarly journals Enrichment with Lucerne Hay Improves Sow Maternal Behaviour and Improves Piglet Survival

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Edwards ◽  
Kate J. Plush ◽  
Cameron R. Ralph ◽  
Rebecca S. Morrison ◽  
Rutu Y. Acharya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nest Building ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Building Behaviour ◽  
Piglet Survival

This study investigated the effects of providing lucerne hay on the behaviour and the performance of sows housed in farrowing crates during farrowing and lactation. Seventy-two mixed parity sows received either 1 kg lucerne hay daily from entry into the farrowing crate (−2 d from expected farrowing date) until weaning at 17 d (lucerne group, n = 36), or received no additional enrichment (control group, n = 36). In the 18 h prior to farrowing, the sows in the lucerne treatment spent more time performing nest-building behaviour (14.8% lucerne vs 11.1% control, p = 0.0009) and less time sham-chewing (1.0% lucerne vs 1.9% control, p = 0.01) than control sows, and gave birth to fewer stillborn piglets/litter (0.1 lucerne vs 0.4 control, p = 0.027). After farrowing (Day 3), the control sows spent less time lying than the lucerne sows (26% control vs 43% lucerne, p < 0.05). The control sows also spent less time interacting with their piglets during early lactation compared to late lactation (25.5% Day 5 vs 47.3% Day 12, p < 0.05), suggesting reduced maternal behaviour in this group. The lucerne sows continued to interact with the lucerne throughout lactation, indicating that they still found the enrichment rewarding after the nesting period had ceased. Based on these results, lucerne enrichment was considered to improve sow welfare during farrowing and lactation and reduce the number of stillborn piglets.

scholarly journals Factors affecting maternal behaviour and responsiveness in sows during periparturient and lactation periods

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 455-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Nowicki ◽  
Czesław Klocek ◽  
Tomasz Schwarz
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Maternal Responsiveness ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Housing Environment ◽  
Periparturient Period ◽  
Piglet Survival

AbstractMaternal responsiveness of sows affects piglet survival rate by influencing the economic results of breeding. The purpose of this article was to present the relations among housing environment for sows during periparturient period and lactation, endocrine changes in sows, and maternal behaviour and welfare, which ultimately all affect the productive results. The following welfare-related factors were discussed in this paper: the type of farrowing environment, including the type of pen, the area for free movement or confinement crates, alternative loose-housing systems, the importance of nest building for further nursing, and fear as a factor which can impair productivity.

The effects of straw availability for nest-building on maternal reactivity of crated sows after farrowing

2000 ◽  
Vol 2000 ◽  
pp. 31-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. N. Marchant ◽  
K.H. Jensen ◽  
R.M. Forde
Keyword(s):  
Stress Response ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Piglet Survival ◽  
Predator Behaviour

Most indoor sows in Denmark and the UK continue to farrow in crates. Before farrowing, sows are highly motivated to nest-build and gilts farrowing in crates without straw have an especially large stress response over the nest-building period (Jarvis et al., 1997). In non-crated sows, the inability to nest-build affects the subsequent maternal behaviour of the sow after farrowing (Herskin et al., 1999). This study aimed to determine whether supplying straw before farrowing increased the anti-crushing and anti-predator behaviour of the crated sow after farrowing and improved piglet survival.

Breastfeeding Training through Role-Play and Effects on Mother-infant Attachment Behaviours: A Randomised Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farokh Saljughi ◽  
Mitra Savabi-Esfahani ◽  
Shahnaz Kohan ◽  
Soheila Ehsanpour
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Maternal Employment ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Infant Attachment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
History Of

Mother-infant attachment is an intimate, lasting and satisfying relationship that leads to better cognitive, emotional and social growth of the infant. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of breastfeeding training by role-play on mother-infant attachment behaviours. This research was a randomised clinical trial (parallel design). Inclusion criteria were: no history of mental disorders; ability to read and write the Persian language to complete the questionnaire; no history of drug and tobacco intake in primigravida women. The sample comprised 100 pregnant women (in 2 groups), selected through simple random sampling at healthcare centres. The researcher reviewed prenatal care registries of selected healthcare centres and extracted the names of pregnant women in their early third trimester. The data were imported into randomisation software. The control group received routine breastfeeding training, while the intervention group received routine training together with training through role-play. The data collection tool was the Maternal Behaviour Inventory Questionnaire. Consequently 75 samples were analysed in SPSS16. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were used to examine the difference between the two groups. Results showed that the mean score of mother-infant attachment one week after delivery was significantly higher in the intervention group in comparison to that in the control group (p<0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in maternal age, age of marriage, neonatal gender, maternal employment and education, number of parity, and number of abortions (P>0.05). Since breastfeeding training through role-play could affect mother-infant attachment, it is suggested that this type of training should be provided for pregnant women to promote mother-infant attachment and exclusive breastfeeding.

scholarly journals Mammary Gland Structures Are Not Affected by an Increased Growth Rate of Yearling Ewes Post-Weaning but Are Associated with Growth Rates of Singletons

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 884
Author(s):  
Emmanuelle Haslin ◽  
Rene A. Corner-Thomas ◽  
Paul R. Kenyon ◽  
Adrian J. Molenaar ◽  
Stephen T. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Mammary Gland ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Fat Pad ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Lamb Growth ◽  
Heavy Group

The experiment aimed to examine the impacts of an increased growth rate of ewes between three and seven months of age on udder development using ultrasound and to establish whether ultrasonography could be used to identify ewe mammary structures that may be indirect indicators of singleton growth to weaning. Udder dimensions, depths of gland cistern (GC), parenchyma (PAR) and fat pad (FP) were measured in late pregnancy (P107), early lactation (L29), and at weaning (L100) in 59 single-bearing yearling ewes selected from two treatments. The ‘heavy’ group (n = 31) was preferentially fed prior to breeding achieving an average breeding live-weight of 47.9 ± 0.38 kg at seven months of age. The ‘control’ group (n = 28) had an average breeding live-weight of 44.9 ± 0.49 kg. Udder dimensions, GC, PAR and FP did not differ between treatments. Lamb growth to L100 was positively associated (p < 0.05) with PAR at P107 and GC at L29. There was no evidence of negative effects of the live-weight gain treatments on udder development of yearling ewes as measured by ultrasonography. The results suggest that this ultrasound method has the potential to identify pregnant yearling ewes which would wean heavier singletons.

Maternal treatment with fluoxetine promotes testicular alteration in male rat pups

2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (8) ◽  
pp. 1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aline C. Ramos ◽  
Alice H. dos Santos ◽  
Kennia M. Silveira ◽  
Ana Carolina I. Kiss ◽  
Suzana F. P. Mesquita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tap Water ◽  
Post Partum ◽  
Gonadosomatic Index ◽  
Male Offspring ◽  
Male Rat ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Testis Weight ◽  
Water Control ◽  
Maternal Treatment

Fluoxetine (FLX) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant commonly prescribed during pregnancy and lactation. Pre- and post-partum depression, as well as SSRI treatment during these periods, may change maternal care, interfering with offspring development. Moreover, it is known that SSRIs may alter testes structure and function in offspring. The present study investigated the effects of maternal FLX exposure on maternal behaviour and testes function in offspring. Female Wistar rats were treated with 7.5 mg kg–1 FLX or tap water (control group) by gavage from the Day 1 of pregnancy until 21 days after birth (postnatal Day (PND) 21). Maternal behaviour was evaluated and morphofunctional analyses of offspring testes were conducted on PND 21 and 50. There were no significant differences between the FLX-treated and control groups regarding maternal behaviour. Nor did maternal treatment with FLX have any effect on bodyweight gain, anogenital distance, day of preputial separation, testis weight and the gonadosomatic index in male offspring. However, there was a decreased number of Sertoli cells at both PND 21 and 50 in FLX-exposed male offspring. The findings of the present study demonstrate that maternal exposure to FLX can impair testicular function in weanling and pubertal animals.

scholarly journals Nests of the Brazilian squirrel Sciurus ingrami Thomas (Rodentia, Sciuridae)

2005 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 816-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cibele A. Alvarenga ◽  
Sônia A. Talamoni
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Side Branch ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Palm Tree ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Exotic Tree ◽  
Building Behaviour ◽  
Syagrus Romanzoffiana

Descriptions of Sciurus ingrami Thomas, 1901 nests are not available in the literature. In this study, a survey was made of the distribution of S. ingrami nests in a woodlot located near to the headquarters of the Serra do Caraça Reserve, in state of Minas Gerais, where there is a high concentration of Syagrus romanzoffiana (Chamisso) Glassman palm tree, among other exotic tree species. The nest-building behaviour and the nest characteristics, such as height from the ground, total circumference, diameter of the entrance, and the position of the nest in the tree - in the crown, along the trunk or in a side branch, were described.

Early Post-Partum Contact and Later Attitudes

1980 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter de Chateau
Keyword(s):  
Post Partum ◽  
Postnatal Period ◽  
Child Rearing ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Maternal Behaviour ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Infant Behaviour

In a randomized, prospective study the long-term effects of early post-partum skin-toskin and suckling contact was studied. In follow-up studies 36 hours, 3 and 12 months after delivery maternal behaviour, infant behaviour, the duration of breast feeding and certain attitudes towards child rearing procedures were shown to develop differently in a group of mothers and infants with early post-natal contacts as compared to a control group. Three years after delivery parents with early contact appreciated their children's language development to be faster; the number of siblings born in these families was greater than in controls. In the discussion, the relative importance of the immediate postnatal period is emphasized, a more family oriented development seems to occur in the presence of early post-delivery interaction.

scholarly journals Milk production in Saanen goats treated with repeated low doses of intermediate-release insulin during early lactation

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika Bezerra de Menezes ◽  
Maria Gorete Flores Salles ◽  
Cleidson Manoel Gomes da Silva ◽  
César Carneiro Linhares Fernandes ◽  
Giovanna Galeati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Milk Yield ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Metabolic Response ◽  
Subcutaneous Administration ◽  
Repeated Administration ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Early Lactation ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Intermediate Acting Insulin

ABSTRACT: The effect of insulin administration on the productive responses of Saanen goats during early lactation was investigated. Ten of 20 adult females were subjected to subcutaneous administration of intermediate-acting insulin (0.14UI/kg body weight) at 2, 9, and 14 days postpartum. Milk yield was measured twice daily for 13 weeks and milk samples were collected to measure protein and fat contents. Plasma levels of progesterone, insulin, non-esterifies fatty acids, glucose and other metabolites were measured. Results showed a significantly increased effect of insulin treatment on the content of milk fat and protein; moreover, milk production in the first and second postpartum weeks were higher than control group. The peak of lactation in the insulin group was achieved one week earlier in comparison to the control group. In addition, the milk production rate showed lower persistency (milk yield 13 week/milk yield at peak) in the same group. During the first four weeks of postpartum, treated animals showed greater weight loss and higher non-esterified fatty acid concentration, whereas no effect was observed on the concentration of progesterone and other metabolites. The above results indicated that repeated administration of insulin in dairy goats during early lactation increase yield and qualitative components of milk, but has substantial consequences on animal productive rate and metabolic response.

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