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Highlights • The birth order has an effect on the neurobehavioural and physiological responses. • Type-II stillbirths were only present in the first and last quarter of the litter. • Piglets born at the beginning and the end of parturition have a higher risk of dying. • Piglets born in the first and last quarter exhibited neurophysiological alterations. Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of birth order on the physiological and metabolic responses of the newborn piglet the first hours after birth. A total of 281 randomly selected newborn piglets were included, classified according to birth order in 12 groups (L1-L12). The expulsion interval, neonatal vitality, latency in connecting to the maternal teat and physiological profile were recorded for each piglet. The number of piglets born alive and dead was also recorded. The blood gases, electrolytes and glucose levels of the neonates were obtained by means of an automatic blood gas and electrolyte analyzer. Groups L1, L2, L11, and L12 had the least score on the vitality scale, the longest expulsion intervals, and longest latency to connect with the maternal teat, as well as greater physiological alterations (hyperglycemia, hyperlactatemia and hypercapnia) compared to groups L4 to L9. Likewise, type-II stillbirths only occurred in the first and last quarter of the birth order of the litter. In conclusion, piglets born in the first and last quarter of the birth order of the litter had a greater risk of having physiological and behavioral alterations during farrowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of thiamine pyrophosphate (PPT) on the biochemical profiles of full-term rabbit foetuses that were subjected to experimental ischemia followed by 24 h reperfusion. A total of 16 gestating rabbit dams were divided into two groups, one of which was treated by administering PPT and subjected to a process ischemia. During this interval, fetal blood samples were drawn from each dam (in the ischemia group) at 0, 15 and 45 min. Ischemia for 15 and 45 min was not associated with changes in lactate levels of the Ischemia group foetuses. However, in the foetuses in the reperfusion groups without PPT lactate levels were significantly higher after 15 and 45 min of arterial occlusion compared to time zero. These results demonstrate that PTT alters some acute and some longer-term biochemical outcomes of uterine ischemia perhaps important in preserving energy metabolism under hypoxic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]