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The aim of the experiment was to analyze the reproductive performance of sows and the losses and growth of piglets in three different systems of farrowing houses. A total of 120 sows of the Prestice Black-Pied breed were included in the study with 40 litters evaluated in each of the systems. The housing systems compared were conventional farrowing cages, pens with temporary fixation, and free farrowing pens. The housing system significantly affected the length of pregnancy (p < 0.05). Its effect was 0.35 days shorter in the sows in the free-farrowing system than in the cage technology and 0.6 days shorter than in the temporary fixation. Housing also influenced the onset of post-weaning oestrus (p < 0.01), which occurred 0.31 days earlier in the sows in a free-farrowing system and in those in pens with temporary fixation. A significant effect of housing on the overall losses of piglets (p < 0.05) was also found. The crushing of piglets by sows was also significantly affected by the housing system (p < 0.05), with the highest incidence found in the free-farrowing system. The effect of the housing system on the individual weaning weight of piglets was also found to be significant (p < 0.001). The piglets of the sows in the free housing system showed higher growth intensity when compared to piglets in the other housing systems. In conclusion, it can be stated that the lowest losses caused by the crushing of piglets were found in the cage systems. However, the combined system seems to be very perspective in terms of losses of piglets. The free-farrowing system has positive effects on the growth of piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiment was to evaluate the effect of Duroc, Pietrain and Duroc x Pietrain terminal boars on individual live weight of piglets and average daily gain of piglets from birth to weaning. The effect of sex was also taken into account in the observation. A total of 306 piglets were evaluated. The experiment proved, that terminal boar significantly affects (p < 0.001) birth weight of piglets, their live weight at the age of 14 days and at weaning. Statistically significant effect of terminal boar was also proved for average daily gain from birth to the age of 14 days and average daily gain from birth to weaning. As demonstrated, the piglets of Duroc and Pietrain boars reached higher live weights in all the observed intervals than the piglets of Duroc x Pietrain hybrid combination boar. The same trend was observed for the values of average daily gain in piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The high doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) administered orally to piglets for the prevention of diarrhea and increase of growth rate can contaminate pig farms and the surrounding environment. Therefore, there is a need to find a replacement of high doses of dietary ZnO with an equally effective alternative. In the present study, the effect of two formulations of zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles (ZnA and ZnC NPs) on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, antioxidant status, and intestinal and liver morphology was evaluated. A total of 100 weaned piglets were randomly divided into 10 equal groups with the base diet (control) or the base diet supplemented with ZnA, ZnC, or ZnO at concentrations 500, 1000, and 2000 mg Zn per kilogram of diet. Supplements were given to animals for 10 days. Fecal samples were collected on day 0, 5, 10 and 20. At the end of the treatment (day 10), three piglets from each group were sacrificed and analyzed. Results: Comparing to that of control, the significantly higher piglet weight gain was observed in all piglet groups fed with ZnA (P < 0.05). Differences in the total aerobic bacteria and coliform counts in piglet feces after NPs supplementation compared to that of control and ZnO groups were also found (P < 0.05). The majority of aerobic culturable bacteria from the feces represented Escherichia (28.57–47.62%), Enterococcus (3.85–35.71%), and Streptococcus (3.70–42.31%) spp. A total of 542 Escherichia coli isolates were screened for the virulence genes STa, STb, Stx2, F4, and F18. The substantial occurrence of E. coli virulence factors was found on day 5, mainly in fimbrillary antigen and thermostable toxins, except for piglets fed by ZnC. Zn treatment decreased Zn blood levels in piglets fed with ZnO and ZnA (500 mg/kg) and increased in ZnC (2000 mg/kg) compared to that of control (P < 0.05). The antioxidant status of piglets was affected only by ZnA. While some changes in the liver and the intestinal morphology of piglets with NPs were observed, none were serious as reflected by the normal health status and increased weigh gain performance. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ZnA NPs have a positive effect on the piglet growth performance even at the lowest concentration. The prevalence of E. coli virulence factors was lowest in pigs supplemented with ZnC. Zinc phosphate-based nanoparticles may be an effective alternative to ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was evaluation of reproductive performance in sows from herds with minimal disease. Total number of 40 sows were included in the observation and evaluated from the 1st to the 4th parity. The highest reproductive performance was recorded at the 3rd parity. Statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) was found between the 1st and the 3rd parity and highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) was recorded between the 2nd and the 3rd parity in number of live-born piglets. Comparison of numbers of stillborn piglets showed statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the mean values of the 1st and the 4th parity. The results also showed highly statistically significant difference (P < 0.01) in number of reared piglets between the 3rd and the 4th parity. The conclusions of this study indicate that creation and maintenance of herds of sows with high health status lead to excellent results in the area of pig reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiment was to analyze selected reproductive characteristics in sows and losses of piglets according to their age and to evaluate the effect of sex on survivability of piglets before weaning. The experimental observation involved 80 sows with their second litters (40 sows of genotye I and 40 sows of genotype II). The sows were mated with a boar of Danish Duroc. No significant difference was found between the evaluated genotypes of sows in numbers of live‑born piglets and reared piglets, however it is evident that better results were reached by the sows of the genotype II. Also the losses of piglets per litter were lower, by 0.65 piece (P ≤ 0.05). In sows of the genotype I a high correlation (P ≤ 0.01) was confirmed between the number of live‑born piglets and the number of reared piglets per litter (r = 0.750). Another correlation was found between the number of live‑born piglets and their losses before weaning (r = 0.716). Similar trend was observed in the genotype II, however without significant correlation between the number of live‑born piglets and the losses of piglets before weaning. The results also revealed that the piglets died mostly before the 14th day of age, while the losses of male piglets were more frequent than of female piglets. Losses of female piglets of the genotype I before the 14th day of age were 6.82%, in the genotype II they were 3.01%. In this period, the losses of male piglets reached 9.56% in the genotype I and 4.49% in the genotype II. From the 14th day to weaning the losses of female piglets counted 2.39% vs. 0.75%, the losses of male piglets 1.37% vs. 2.88%. The total losses from birth to weaning were 9.22% vs. 3.76% in female piglets and 10.92% vs. 7.37% in male piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to evaluate productive and reproductive performance of Prestice Black-Pied sows including losses of piglets from birth to weaning in conditions of two farms. The experiment involved one hundred sows of Prestice Black-Pied pig from the 1st to the 7th parity (50 from farm A and 50 from farm B). The evaluation of productive parameters revealed a highly statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) between gilts of the observed farms in percentage of lean meat. Backf at thickness was 0.19 cm lower in gilts from the farm A, which is a very highly statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.001). The evaluation of reproductive performance showed, that age at the time of the first insemination and farrowing was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.05) in gilts from the farm A compared to gilts from the farm B by 38 days on average. The analysis also indicates that there was no significant difference in length of gestation, total number of piglets and numbers of live-born and reared piglets between the sows of the evaluated farms. A highly statistically significant difference (P ≤ 0.01) was found in number of stillborn piglets. Interval length was significantly longer (P ≤ 0.05) in sows from the farm A, by 14.29 days. The evaluation of losses of piglets revealed a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) between the farms in favor of piglets from the farm A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyse sow reproductive performance and piglet loss from birth to weaning before and after repopulation of a selected farm. The observation was carried out on a productive sow farm; 160 sows were included in the experiment. Before repopulation, 80 sows from the 1st to the 5th litter were evaluated. The original population of sows was removed. Repopulated (newly stocked) group consisted of 80 gilts at the 1st litter. Newly delivered gilts with a status of minimum disease were placed into a decontaminated stable with a strict batch, black and white breeding system with stringent hygienic provisions. The piglets were weaned at the mean age of 28 ± 3 days. A very highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) in favour of the repopulated group of sows was found in the evaluation of the total number of piglets, the number of live-born piglets and the number of stillborn piglets in %; a significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) in favour of the repopulated group of sows was found in the number of stillborn piglets. In reared piglets and losses of piglets, both in numbers and percentage, a highly significant difference (P ≤ 0.001) was found in favour of the repopulated group. This study brings important information on the benefits of repopulation pig breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The production of piglets is influenced by a range of factors; among the most important are parity of sows and genotype, which is half determined by terminal boars. In this study, reproductive performance, losses of piglets, and growth of piglets were compared depending on the parity and effect of terminal boars. The number of reared piglets, which is considered the most important parameter in the breeding of sows, was not affected by the evaluated factors. However, evaluation of pre-weaning losses of piglets clearly showed the lowest values in the third parity sows. Additionally, piglets of purebred Duroc and Large Whitesirelinie boars showed the lowest losses before weaning and the highest growth intensity at the same time. In addition, the importance of studying interactions between factors was emphasized. These interactions revealed differences in some reproductive parameters and growth intensity of piglets in sows of a different parity after insemination with different terminal boars. The results show that the effect of terminal boars is crucial in the production of piglets. Based on the observed evaluation, the terminal boars of Duroc and Large Whitesirelinie breeds can be recommended as optimal for the production of piglets. This study analysed the effect of sow parity (P), terminal boars (TB), and their combination on reproductive parameters of sows, losses of piglets, and their individual live-weight (LW) and average daily gain (ADG) from birth to weaning. A total of 120 sows of Large White × Landrace hybrid combination from the first to the fourth parity (30 sows per parity) were included in the observation. The sows were inseminated by terminal boars of Pietrain (Pn), Large Whitesireline (LWSL), and Duroc (D) breeds and Duroc × Large Whitesirelinie (D × LWSL), Large Whitesirelinie × Pietrain (LWSL × Pn), and Duroc × Pietrain (D × Pn) hybrid combinations (20 sows per terminal boar population). The results proved a significant effect of P on the total numbers of piglets (TN), the numbers of stillborn piglets (SB), and the pre-weaning losses of piglets (L) (p ≤ 0.01) with the lowest losses found in the third parity sows. A significant effect of TB was confirmed for TN, the numbers of live-born piglets (LB), SB, the numbers of mummified piglets (M) and non-viable piglets (N), and (L) (p ≤ 0.01). The sows inseminated by D and LWSL boars showed the lowest total numbers of piglets but also the highest survivability of piglets until weaning. Significant effects of interaction between P and TB were observed for the TN, SB, N, and L (p ≤ 0.05). Evaluation of growth parameters in piglets (n = 1547) showed that P significantly influenced LW in the first three weeks of life (p ≤ 0.01) and ADG from birth to Day 7 and from Day 15 to Day 21 (p ≤ 0.01). Additionally, a significant effect (p ≤ 0.01) of TB was proven on individual weight and ADG in all the observed time intervals, with the highest growth found in the piglets of the D and LWSL boars. Significant interactions (p ≤ 0.01) between P and TB were found for LW and ADG in all the time intervals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Zinc nanoparticles supplementation of weaned piglets did not affect final carcasse quality. • Zinc bioaccumulation was not significantly affected in experimental groups compared to the control group. High doses of zinc have been used as a prevention against weaned piglets' diarrhea for many years. Nevertheless, since 2022 high doses of zinc oxide have been banned in EU. Currently, there are several studies about the potential of zinc nanoparticles in lower doses which could maintain a preventive effect. Several concerns about nanoparticles' toxicity and bioaccumulation have been raised in many other fields of research. The aim of this short follow-up study is focused on the impact of zinc nanoparticles used as a prevention of diarrhea for weaned piglets, on the classification of slaughtered pigs' carcasses and on zinc retention in muscle tissue. Seventy piglets (10 groups of 7 piglets) were fed a standard diet. The treated groups' diets were supplemented with zinc oxide (ZnO), and phosphate-based nanoparticles: spherical- shaped type A (ZnA) and irregular-shaped: type C (ZnC), at the doses of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg Zn equivalent per kilogram of diet. The control group´s diet was not treated with zinc in any form. The feed experiment started when the piglets were 28 days old and lasted for 10 days. Experimental animals were grown to the final weight 120 ± 10 kg and slaughtered in a slaughterhouse. The pig carcasses were evaluated according to S/EUROP standards: the pigs' weight, back fat thickness and lean meat content were monitored. Moreover, zinc concentrations in M. longissimus dorsi et thoracis were analyzed. The results have not proved significant changes in S/EUROP standard classification and zinc bioaccumulation in muscle tissue. This follow-up experiment was carried out as part of maintaining a precautionary approach to the use the nanoparticles in piglet fattening. In our study we did not confirm their effect on the assessment of carcass classification and their bioaccumulation in muscle tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]