Search Results (194)

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of compound milk oligosaccharides (CMO) on growth performance, immune function, and intestinal health of neonatal suckling piglets with different birth weights. Forty neonatal suckling piglets (20 piglets with normal birth body weight (NBW), 20 piglets with low birth body weight (LBW)) from 10 lactating sows with the same parity and litter size (2 normal birth weight piglets and 2 low birth weight piglets from each sow), were allotted to one of four treatments (10 replications with 1 piglet per treatment) in a 2 × 2 factorial design, including two birth body weight (normal or low birth weight) and two CMO doses (0 or 75 mg/d). All piglets were orally administered 2 mL CMO solution (37.5 mg/mL CMO, with a ratio of 3′ SL:2′ FL:6′ SL = 5:4:1) or equivalent volume saline daily, from birth until day 21 of age. At the end of the trial, eight piglets per treatment were used for terminal serum and intestinal measurements, and five piglets per treatment were used for colonic microbiota analysis. As expected, NBW piglets had higher body weight and average daily gain than LBW littermates (p < 0.05), accompanied by a lower colonic abundance of Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05). More importantly, oral CMO administration from birth to weaning improved body weight on days 14 and 21, average daily gain, jejunal villus height, and the villus height-to-crypt depth ratio, decreased serum IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 concentrations, and inhibited ileal mRNA expression of IL-1β and MyD88 in piglets of both birth weight groups. In addition, CMO markedly downregulated ileal NF-κB expression in LBW piglets (p < 0.05). Interaction analysis indicated that the interaction between birth weight and CMO supplementation specifically decreased ileal TLR4 gene expression, reduced colonic observed species, Chao 1 and ACE indices, and enriched colonic Parabacteroides in LBW piglets (p < 0.05). In summary, these findings demonstrated that a daily oral dose of 75 mg CMO improved growth performance and intestinal health in suckling piglets, and the underlying mechanisms may be closely associated with alleviation of intestinal inflammation, improvement of intestinal morphology, and modulation of gut microbial balance. Full article

In swine production systems, antimicrobial exposure and management conditions vary across production stages, particularly during the transition from suckling to weaning, which may influence the selection and persistence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. We compared the antimicrobial resistance patterns of 70 Escherichia coli isolates obtained from suckling and weaned piglet housing areas (35 isolates each) on 35 farms in Korea and further characterized the genetic features of the 40 ciprofloxacin (CIP)-resistant isolates. Isolates showed high rates of resistance to several antimicrobials, including streptomycin (88.6%) and ampicillin (85.7%). In an exploratory comparison, CIP resistance was higher in isolates from weaned piglet housing areas (71.4%) than in those from suckling piglet housing areas (42.9%; unadjusted two-sided exact p = 0.04139, McNemar’s test). Mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) were detected in 27 of the 40 CIP-resistant isolates (67.5%), predominantly gyrA S83L/D87N and parC S80I substitutions. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants were detected in nine isolates; qnrD was the most common gene (6/9, 66.7%). Multilocus sequence typing analysis of the nine PMQR-positive isolates identified multiple sequence types; ST5229 was the most common sequence type (5/9, 55.6%) and was detected in both housing-area groups. The higher CIP resistance observed in isolates from weaned piglet housing areas indicates a production-stage-associated difference in FQ resistance during early pig production. Full article

Swine influenza A virus (swIAV) is an endemic respiratory pathogen of pigs with zoonotic relevance. We analysed retrospective serological data from routine diagnostic submissions (January 2023–May 2026) to a single laboratory, comprising 2003 sera from 66 reports on 44 commercial farrow-to-finish farms in seven regions of mainland Greece, tested with a nucleoprotein ELISA that cannot distinguish vaccine-, maternally, or infection-derived antibodies. Overall seroprevalence was 46.4% (929/2003; farm-clustered 95% CI 39.1–53.8%); at least one seropositive animal was found in 51 of 61 farm-years and in 36 of 44 farms. Seroprevalence differed by production stage (p < 0.001): it was highest in multiparous sows (75.9%) and suckling piglets (70.7%), both likely influenced by sow vaccination and maternally derived antibodies, intermediate in gilts (46.0%) and nursery pigs (38.6%), and lowest in growers (24.8%) and finishers (24.0%), in which antibodies indicate prior exposure rather than current circulation. No consistent temporal trend was detected, although some adjusted models suggested higher seroprevalence in 2025–2026. Regional seroprevalence ranged from 10.1% (Thessaly) to 61.0% (West Greece); the association was significant with the standard but not the bias-reduced cluster-robust estimator (p = 0.014 and p = 0.39) and persisted after adjustment for year and stage, but it rests on few farms per region and is considered exploratory. As a convenience sample of diagnostic submissions, these data provide descriptive rather than nationally representative estimates and support the addition of molecular, subtype-level surveillance. Full article

Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) is characterized by multifocal inflammatory lesions in pigs of different ages and has been associated with systemic inflammatory processes. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to characterize associations between SINS expression and systemic inflammatory, hematological, and metabolic biomarkers in pigs from two farm cooperatives within the same commercial production system. In this exploratory study, 45 undocked piglets were assessed during the suckling and weaner stages. Clinical lesions were quantified across multiple body regions, and clinical-chemical and hematological parameters were analyzed in weaners. LASSO regression identified Pig major acute phase protein (PigMAP) as the biomarker most strongly associated with SINS-related traits, showing positive associations with tail base bristle loss and teat redness, whereas heel swelling and tail tip reddening were negatively associated or showed no association. Additional findings included decreased creatinine and urea under more favorable environmental conditions, and differences in bilirubin, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) under less favorable conditions, indicating distinct patterns of clinical-chemical parameters associated with SINS. Platelet counts were lower in piglets with SINS status 2, i.e., piglets showing clinical signs of SINS during both the suckling and nursery periods, with statistically significant differences in the respective comparisons. These findings are consistent with the concept of SINS as a systemic inflammatory condition accompanied by measurable hematological and metabolic alterations. Together, these findings broaden the biological characterization of SINS and provide a foundation for future longitudinal studies investigating the temporal relationships between clinical manifestations and systemic biomarkers. Full article

Over the past two decades, genetic selection has increased average total litter size in commercial sow herds from approximately 9–10 piglets to more than 14 piglets per farrowing, an achievement that has delivered clear economic benefit but has been accompanied by a parallel rise in pre-weaning mortality (PWM), which is now commonly reported in the range of 12–20% and, by some indicative estimates, is trending upward even in well-managed herds. This review synthesizes the veterinary and reproductive-physiology literature on hyperprolificacy in sows, examining its downstream consequences for individual piglet birth weight, farrowing duration, colostrum access, and passive immunoglobulin G (IgG) transfer. Attention is given to the biological mechanism by which litter size dilutes colostral IgG, including vaccine-induced maternally derived antibody (MDA) against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), and to the strength of the supporting evidence with regard to each pathogen, which differs considerably. This evidence is considerably stronger for PCV2, where maternal vaccination has a directly demonstrated effect on offspring antibody titres, than for PRRSV, where litter-size-specific dilution of maternally derived antibody has not yet been directly measured and remains an inferred, biologically plausible mechanism rather than a demonstrated one. The review further appraises management interventions including cross-fostering, split suckling, nurse sows, immunoglobulin supplementation, and structured neonatal triage, together with their documented trade-offs and considers the animal-welfare dimension of continued genetic selection for litter size. A dedicated section evaluates the current state of precision livestock farming (automated farrowing and crushing surveillance, computer-vision piglet weighing, and genomic selection for litter uniformity and robustness), concluding that these tools are promising but largely still at the research or early-adoption stage. We conclude that inadequate transfer of passive immunity behaves as an independent risk factor for mortality, separate from birth weight, and that management responses should be viewed as necessary complements to, rather than substitutes for, a re-balancing of genetic selection indices toward piglet survivability. Full article

Fructooligosaccharides (FOSs) are a class of functional prebiotics that effectively modulate the composition of the intestinal microbiota and regulate metabolic processes in animals. This study aimed to determine how early FOS supplementation affects jejunal development, which is vital for the rapid growth of suckling piglets. Sixty newborn piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) from six litters were randomly assigned to either a control (CON) or an FOS group (n = 5 per litter per group). From days 2 to 21, piglets in the FOS group received 5 mL of an FOS solution orally (3 g/day/piglet), while those in the CON group received an equal volume of saline. Piglets were weighed on days 1, 7, 14, and 21, and samples were collected on days 7, 14, and 21. Early FOS intervention can enhance the growth performance of suckling piglets (p < 0.01), which is related to the development of the jejunum. Specifically, it improved intestinal morphology, stem cell function, and nutrient transport by increasing mRNA and protein expression of key genes in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This may be related to increased abundance of jejunal Lactobacillus and the concentrations of metabolites such as lactate and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Early FOS intervention drove jejunal development through Wnt/β-catenin activation, a process mediated by microbiota-metabolite shifts that augmented intestinal stem cell renewal. Full article

Extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are opportunistic pathogens in pigs and can cause systemic infections with neurological signs. Cases in suckling piglets have rarely been reported. In November 2024, suckling piglets aged 1–3 weeks on a commercial pig farm developed neurological signs, including altered consciousness, vertical nystagmus, ataxic gait, and recumbency. Within two affected batches comprising 1150 and 1200 piglets, 17 and 26 animals, respectively, developed clinical signs (morbidity 1.48% and 2.17%). Initial treatment with amoxicillin and dexamethasone was ineffective. Early administration of intramuscular enrofloxacin combined with dexamethasone was associated with clinical improvement in approximately 50% of affected piglets. Pathological examination revealed atelectatic lung regions, dilated small intestines with yellowish content, and moderate mesenteric vessel congestion. Histologically, the central nervous system of both piglets exhibited hyperemia, edema, disseminated diapedesis hemorrhages, thrombi, and intravascular rod-shaped bacteria. E. coli was isolated from the CNS, lungs, pericardium, and joints. Molecular analysis confirmed the presence of virulence-associated genes fimA, fimH, and iucD. Differential diagnostic PCRs for Streptococcus suis, Glaesserella parasuis, and Mycoplasma hyorhinis were negative. This case report documents the first occurrence of an ExPEC-like E. coli infection in this herd. The documented clinical, pathological, and molecular findings support the importance of considering ExPEC-like E. coli as a differential diagnosis in therapy-resistant neurological diseases in piglets. Full article

The protective effect of Compound terminalia chebula extract (HL) against colonic injury induced by Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection in neonatal piglets remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the mitigating effects of HL on PEDV-induced colonic injury and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Eighteen 7-day-old Duroc × Landrace × Large White piglets (2.58 ± 0.05 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6/group): CON (blank control), PEDV (infected), and HL + PEDV (HL-supplemented + infected). The 11-day trial included 3 days of acclimatization (days 0–3) and an 8-day experimental period (days 4–11). HL (10 mg/kg BW) was orally administered daily to the HL + PEDV group. On day 8, PEDV and HL + PEDV groups were challenged with 3 mL PEDV (3 × 10⁶ TCID₅₀/mL), while CON received Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM). All piglets were euthanized on day 11 for colonic tissue collection. Results indicated that PEDV infection induced colonic injury, manifested by a significant increase in crypt depth and disruption of intestinal homeostasis. This was evidenced by impaired barrier integrity (upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-7 gene [MMP7] and matrix metalloproteinase 13 gene [MMP13], mucus disorganization (elevation of mucin 5AC gene [MUC5AC]), oxidative stress (reduced catalase [CAT] activity and increased malondialdehyde [MDA] levels in serum and colon), and inflammation (upregulation of regenerative islet-derived protein 3γ gene [REG3G], S100 calcium-binding protein A8/A9 gene [S100A8/A9], and interleukin-1β gene [IL-1β]). Additionally, PEDV impaired colonic ion transport by downregulating calcium channel genes (Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 6 gene [TRPV6], Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily M Member 6 gene [TRPM6]). Notably, HL supplementation effectively reversed these adverse effects. HL restored colonic morphology, increased CAT activity, reduced MDA accumulation, and suppressed inflammatory gene expression. Furthermore, HL modulated the expression of genes involved in water and ion transport upregulating Aquaporin 7 gene (AQP7), Chloride Channel Accessory 4 gene (CLCA4), Sodium-Hydrogen Exchanger 3 gene (NHE3), Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 6 (TRPV6), and Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 6 gene (TRPM6) and significantly inhibited PEDV replication, as indicated by the downregulation of the transcription levels of PEDV membranegene (M), nucleocapsid gene (N), and spike gene (S). Taken together, HL alleviates PEDV-triggered colonic tissue damage in suckling piglets via improving colonic antioxidant capacity, mitigating inflammatory response, partially regulating intestinal barrier and ion/water transport-related genes, and downregulating the transcription of PEDV structural genes at molecular and histological levels. Full article

Neonatal diarrhea remains a significant threat to piglet health, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. Among the viral pathogens associated with this condition, rotavirus (RV) has been extensively reported in Brazil; however, lineage-level classification of circulating strains remains limited. This study aimed to characterize G and P genotypes of porcine RV field strains associated with diarrhea in piglets in Southern Brazil. A total of 10 fecal samples were collected by field veterinarian from diarrheic suckling piglets aged 1 to 14 days and analyzed by RT-PCR for the detection of RV species A, B, C, and H. RV species A (RVA) was detected in 90% (9/10) of the samples, while no other RV species were identified. Genotyping based on the VP7 and VP4 genes revealed a single G3P[6] genotype combination in all RVA-positive samples. Nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence analysis revealed high genetic similarity among strains, with values of up to 99.3% for nt and 98.0% for aa of the VP7 gene and 100% for the VP4 gene (nt and aa). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP7 sequences clustered with Brazilian G3 strains, forming a distinct group consistent with a novel lineage (putative G3-XII), whereas VP4 sequences supported a new sublineage (putative P[6]-Ig). These findings demonstrate low genetic variability of RVA field strains in this neonatal diarrhea outbreak, suggesting the circulation of a single viral population. They also emphasize the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to gain a deeper understanding of viral evolution and transmission dynamics in swine populations. Full article

Swine Inflammation and Necrosis Syndrome (SINS) is a widespread condition in pigs and has been proposed as an early-life animal-based measure (ABM) for assessing health and welfare. However, its prognostic value for later-life outcomes under commercial conditions remains poorly understood. This study investigated the prevalence, progression, and predictive relevance of SINS in two organic pig farms in the Netherlands. Clinical SINS signs were assessed in suckling and weaned piglets and related to hematological parameters at weaning (35 weaned piglets) as well as tail integrity at slaughter. SINS lesions were highly prevalent in suckling piglets (approximately 80%) but markedly decreased after weaning. Lesion prevalence and severity differed substantially between farms and showed clear age-dependent patterns, peaking between days 3 and 5 of life. Higher SINS scores in suckling piglets were associated with systemic hematological alterations at weaning, including increased monocyte proportions, reduced platelet counts, and altered red blood cell indices. Importantly, early-life SINS was significantly associated with later tail integrity. Pigs with higher SINS scores showed a lower probability of intact tails at slaughter and subsequently a higher prevalence of tail lesions. These findings suggest that SINS may have potential as an early-life indicator of later tail outcomes; however, this hypothesis requires validation in larger studies involving a greater number of farms and production systems. Full article

Porcine coronavirus is one of the prevalent enteric coronaviruses in pigs, causing watery diarrhea and even death in suckling piglets and resulting in giant losses to the pig industry. However, effective antiviral strategies against PDCoV remain limited. Notoginsenoside R1 (NG-R1), a saponin extracted from Panax notoginseng, exhibits diverse bioactivities, but its antiviral potential has not been fully characterized. Herein, we systematically investigated the anti-PDCoV effect of NG-R1 and its underlying mechanism. NG-R1 showed no cytotoxic effect on LLC-PK1 cells and exerted antiviral ability against PDCoV infection through targeting the whole life cycle of the virus. In addition, network pharmacology analysis identified calcium signaling as a potentially relevant pathway involved in the antiviral activity of NG-R1. Further data demonstrated that PDCoV infection disrupted intracellular calcium homeostasis, whereas NG-R1 treatment partially restored calcium balance and attenuated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Moreover, NG-R1 modulated the expression of SERCA2, a key regulator of ER calcium transport. Thapsigargin, an inhibitor of SERCA2, showed similar antiviral capacity to NG-R1. Collectively, our findings suggest that NG-R1 exerts antiviral activity against PDCoV, potentially through regulation of calcium homeostasis mediated by SERCA2. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of novel antiviral agents targeting calcium signaling pathways. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), caused by the PED virus (PEDV), remains one of the most devastating diseases in the swine industry, with a mortality rate approaching 90–100% in suckling piglets due to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Passive immunization with egg yolk antibodies (IgY) represents a promising therapeutic strategy. In this study, we developed a novel recombinant adenovirus, rADM-IFN-G-ped, co-expressing selected antigenic regions of the PEDV S protein and chicken interferon-gamma (ChIFN-γ) as a molecular adjuvant. Laying hens were immunized with this construct to produce PEDV-specific IgY, which was subsequently purified from eggs using a polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) precipitation method. The induced IgY demonstrated potent neutralizing activity against PEDV in vitro, with a neutralization titer (NT₅₀) of 1:96, which was significantly higher than that of IgY derived from hens immunized with a commercial inactivated PEDV G2b vaccine (NT₅₀ = 1:52). In a passive immunization and challenge trial, piglets treated with the rADM-IFN-G-ped-derived IgY exhibited significantly reduced fecal viral RNA shedding following challenge with the virulent PEDV-NX-2022 strain, compared to control groups. Crucially, while all piglets in the challenge control group succumbed to infection within 72 h, a 50% survival rate was achieved in the IgY-treated group. Histopathological examination of intestinal tissues further confirmed the protective efficacy, showing that IgY treatment markedly alleviated villous atrophy, epithelial necrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the small intestine. These findings demonstrate that vaccination of laying hens with the rADM-IFN-G-ped recombinant adenovirus elicits a robust immune response, enabling the production of protective IgY. This proof-of-concept study establishes the viability of the multi-epitope adenoviral IgY platform as a passive immunization strategy against PEDV. Full article

Under intensive farming conditions, a decline in feed intake after weaning in suckling piglets often results in reduced body weight or diarrhea. We hypothesized that a sow–piglet co-feeding strategy during the suckling period—in which piglets participate in the sow’s feeding process and consume both lactating sow feed and creep feed—could alleviate certain aspects of weaning stress. To test this hypothesis, 102 newborn piglets (Large White × Duroc × Min Pig) were selected and divided into a co-feeding group (CF) and a non-co-feeding group (NCF), based on whether they had access to the sow’s feed during lactation. The study investigated the effects of the two feeding strategies on piglet growth performance, diarrhea incidence, behavior, and post-weaning immune status, intestinal morphology, and antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the CF group had significantly higher body weight at the end of the nursery period (p < 0.05) and a significantly lower post-weaning observed fecal staining rate (p < 0.05). At 16–17 days post-weaning, piglets in the CF group exhibited a significant increase in feeding behavior (p < 0.05). Compared with the NCF group, the CF group showed highly significant reductions in serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (p < 0.01), as well as significantly increased intestinal superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities (p < 0.05) and significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) content (p < 0.05). In terms of intestinal morphology, the CF group had a highly significant increase in the villus-to-crypt ratio in the jejunum (p < 0.01) and a highly significant reduction in crypt depth (p < 0.05), while villus length did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05). Overall, in the present study, sow–piglet co-feeding during the suckling period effectively alleviated weaning stress and reduced the incidence of diarrhea. These beneficial effects appear to be associated with reduced inflammatory responses, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and improved intestinal morphology. It should be noted that the relatively late weaning age used in this study likely facilitated the piglets’ ability to efficiently utilize solid feed and derive benefits from the co-feeding strategy. Therefore, caution should be exercised when extrapolating these findings to earlier weaning ages, at which the digestive tract is less mature. Full article

Under intensive farming systems, weaned piglets often face welfare challenges including food neophobia, reduced feed intake, and diarrhea. To address these issues, this study leverages the sow’s natural feeding behavior to guide piglets, enhancing their ability to learn to eat solid feed during lactation and improving digestive function. A total of 12 sows and 99 piglets were assigned to two groups: a Sow-Learning group (SL, n = 6), where piglets observed and learned feeding behavior from sows, and a Separate-Feeding group (SF, n = 6), where sows and piglets fed independently. Results showed that the SL group’s feed intake at 36–39 days of age was significantly higher than that of the SF group (p < 0.05). For weaned piglets, the diarrhea rate of the SL group was significantly lower than that of the SF group (p < 0.05). The SL group’s manipulation behavior (towards feed) during suckling and weaning was significantly higher than that of the SF group (p < 0.05). Compared with the SF group, weaned piglets in the SL group demonstrated stronger immune capacity, longer jejunal villi, a higher villus-to-crypt ratio, shallower crypt depth, and greater antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05). In summary, learning feeding behavior from sows improved piglet welfare and promoted jejunal development. Full article

Lactic acid bacteria are important components of the early gut microbiota in piglets and may contribute to gastrointestinal stability and control of enteric pathogens, particularly under increasing restrictions on antibiotic use in livestock production. This study aimed to perform in vitro phenotypic screening and characterization of lactic acid bacteria isolated from feces of suckling piglets aged 7–28 days. A total of 42 fecal samples were collected and cultured on selective media, yielding 318 colonies, of which 135 Gram-positive, rod-shaped, catalase-negative isolates were selected for further evaluation. These isolates were assessed for tolerance to acidic conditions (pH 2.0–3.1), bile salts (0.3–0.5%), cell surface hydrophobicity, hemolytic activity, and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Among the tested isolates, only two (PMvet212 and PMvet318) demonstrated limited tolerance to acidic and bile conditions and exhibited moderate antibacterial activity, with inhibition zones of approximately 10–12 mm. Identification using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry indicated that PMvet212 was closely related to Lactobacillus brevis, whereas PMvet318 was identified at the genus level as Lactobacillus sp. However, both isolates exhibited α-hemolytic activity and therefore did not meet the safety criteria required for probiotic application. In conclusion, although piglet-derived lactic acid bacteria may exhibit certain functional properties, the present findings highlight that probiotic potential is strain-specific and that rigorous multi-step screening, together with further in vivo validation, is essential before practical application can be considered. Full article