Department of Animal Science
Date of this Version
2009
Abstract
Preliminary experiments (reported in the 2008 Nebraska Swine Report) suggest that progeny health status may be affected by dam parity. However, the preliminary experiments only included a small population of sows and their progeny. Therefore, the objective of the current experiment was to evaluate litter performance and the production and passive transfer of immunoglobulins (Ig) in dams (P1 vs. P4) and their progeny. Litter birth weight tended (P < 0.10) to be greater for P4 progeny compared to P1 progeny. No effects of dam parity were observed on circulating Ig in dams during gestation or at parturition. However, concentrations of IgA tended (P < 0.09) to be greater for P4 sows compared to P1 gilts in samples of colostrum and milk and serum IgG concentrations were greater (P < 0.02) for P4 progeny compared to P1 progeny across all preweaning samples. These results suggest that litter performance and health status may be affected by dam parity.
Comments
Published in 2009 Nebraska Swine Report. Published by Extension Division, Agricultural Research Division, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resouces, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Copyright ©2009 Regents of the University of Nebraska.