The health of the sow plays a crucial role in the development and performance of piglets, influencing various aspects from gestation to the postnatal period. Factors such as reproductive health, nutrition throughout all production phases of the sow, welfare management, cleanliness, and sanitation of facilities create gaps that lead to negative impacts on productivity and, primarily, economic outcomes.
It is known that Brazilian pig farming plays a crucial role in the market, being an international reference for productivity and quality. Thus, the demands for biosecurity, health, and productivity are high and must meet the excellence required by the export market. Continuous monitoring of the herd not only helps to identify issues but also aids in preventing problems affecting the sows and, subsequently, the piglets. Below are some crucial factors that should be closely observed.
The production of low-performing piglets can be associated with various factors. The first is related to the reproductive health condition of the sow, including the reproductive tract and conception ability, which has a direct impact on the production of healthy piglets. Reproductive performance, including the interval between litters and the number of piglets per litter, is indicative of the sow’s physical condition and reflects on prolificacy and reproductive capacity. Issues such as hormonal disorders, uterine infections, and conception failures can negatively affect the number of live-born piglets and their vitality.
Another extremely important factor is colostrum, which is rich and diverse in proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, immune-related cellular entities, and bioactive molecules. It not only meets the nutritional demands for the rapid growth of neonates but also encompasses anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial functions. Colostrum is responsible for providing neonates with the energy necessary for thermoregulation and body growth, passive immunity for protection against pathogens, and intestinal maturation. Studies show that milk plays a substantial role in providing up to 30% of the microbial composition in the intestines of newborns, playing a crucial role in the colonization and development of the neonatal intestinal microbiota.
After discussing aspects related to health, nutrition, and environment, a key link between these factors is the establishment and harmonization of the intestinal microbiota. Although its importance is well established, there is still discussion about the timing of its colonization in the intestines of piglets. The traditional view is that microbial colonization begins gradually in the birth canal, through contact with the external environment, feces, and food. However, it is known that early colonizing bacteria in the intestinal tract of mammals have strong maternal characteristics, being present in the placenta, birth canal, maternal milk, and maternal excretions. Therefore, it is relevant to recognize that the composition of the sow’s microbiota can confer multiple modulations on the intestinal flora of piglets and the maturation of the immune system, extending over different time intervals.
For example, we can mention the influence of the presence of fermenting bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The SCFAs produced by the fermentation of maternal intestinal microorganisms are vertically transmitted to the piglets, acting as an inheritance that promotes the maturation of their immune system. Initially, the neonatal intestinal colonizers are facultative anaerobes, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. However, they are quickly replaced by Bifidobacterium, Corynebacterium, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus, established through interactions with the mother, the surrounding environment, and dietary composition, both during gestation and after birth.
Thus, it raises the consideration of developing nutritional strategies aimed at modulating the configuration of the enteric microbiota in females, and consequently orchestrating impacts on the microbial composition of nursing piglets. Unconventional health promoters, such as probiotics and prebiotics, advocate for health by shaping developing immune systems, challenging harmful invaders, and competing for territory and nutrients with harmful bacteria. This beneficial bacterial population ultimately triggers ingenious fermentations of fibers and orchestrates vitamin symphonies that are used to nourish their hosts. However, under stress conditions and with a weakened immune system, this beneficial population becomes vulnerable, especially during phases of significant change for the piglets.
Proper nutrition of the sow during gestation and lactation is essential for fetal development, milk production, and colostrum quality. Nutritional deficiencies in the sow can result in low quality and quantity of colostrum production, leading to poorly nourished piglets with stunted growth and reduced disease resistance.
Meanwhile, in the phases leading up to the weaning of the piglets, nutritional strategies should also be adopted. Studies have shown that feeding piglets a low crude protein diet (<18%) formulated under the concept of ideal protein and high digestibility close to weaning helps maintain good fecal consistency due to a reduction in dysbiosis caused by the presence of undigested proteins in the intestines, which serve as a substrate for bacterial growth with dysbiotic potential. By providing a diet with highly digestible ingredients, such as Soy Protein Concentrate, the intestinal microbiota is shaped to benefit beneficial bacterial species, promoting balance and reducing inflammatory responses caused by the increase of undesirable populations.
It is well established that nutrition is a crucial element for the proper development of piglets during their early life stages. However, merely using highly digestible ingredients and reducing crude protein in the diet does not guarantee bacterial balance in the intestines. Viewing nutrition in isolation as the sole factor responsible for low zootechnical indices is a common mistake, as various other factors may be interfering with the animals’ ability to express their full genetic potential. Health and environmental conditions, for example, can be significant villains behind poor performance.
The health of the herd is indeed one of the only real threats today, as enteric problems often affect a very high percentage of animals. The most prevalent microorganisms detected during diarrhea episodes are Salmonella, which frequently occurs within production systems, and E. coli, undoubtedly the two most concerning within the system. Salmonella outbreaks typically occur after the second and third weeks of housing in the nursery, while E. coli issues are more likely to arise closer to weaning.
Thus, cleaning and disinfecting the facilities become crucial allies against future problems. Given the exploratory nature of piglets, which involves licking and nosing around surfaces, any organic residue from past batches can be found and ingested. Therefore, the importance of using high-pressure washers for cleaning pens with hot water, using detergent with foam-forming guns, and washing water systems is understood.
Another impactful factor is the weaning age. A weaning age of 28 days, with an average of 26.5 days, accompanied by nutrition tailored to this phase, helps prepare them for the challenges of the nursery. The form of feeding is also an important factor to consider, given its impact on preparing the piglet to ingest certain raw materials in varying quantities. Feeding an unprepared piglet a complex diet, even if it is of better quality and higher digestibility, may result in the piglet being unable to fully utilize the potential of the provided ingredients.
The environment is another factor that affects the manifestation of diseases and agonistic behaviors. Factors such as housing density, temperature, humidity, and air quality all have some degree of impact on the health of sows and piglets. It becomes important, then, to consider strategies that minimize negative impacts, such as the use of health-promoting products as alternatives to antimicrobials, like probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, or other microbiome-modulating additives, such as tannins and fibers.
Research has shown that the supplementation of hydrolysable tannins through water or feed in pigs demonstrates antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-parasitic properties, positively impacting intestinal health. There have also been effects on reducing skatole concentration in adipose tissue and improving the quality of fresh meat, where higher levels of supplementation in the diet increased pro-oxidative potential.
Another impact of tannin supplementation is its antibacterial and antifungal effect by precipitating proteins, particularly in genera that include potentially pathogenic species, such as Brachyspira, which infect the cecum and colon, especially during weaning phases. The most well-known diarrhea is Swine Dysentery (SD), caused by B. hyodysenteriae and B. pilosicoli, which leads to Spirochetal Colitis (SC), with symptoms including dehydration, weight loss, liquid or pasty diarrhea (which may contain blood), and growth delay, resulting in economic losses. However, their use should be properly monitored by specialized technicians to mitigate effects on feed intake, digestion, and nutrient conversion efficiency, which can be positively influenced by improvements in intestinal health and anti-diarrheal effects.
Meanwhile, fibers play an important role in the final third of gestation in sows, where feed restriction is implemented to prevent excessive weight gain. Under conditions of feed restriction and hunger, group housing during gestation can encourage competition for food, triggering behavioral issues that compromise the welfare and productivity of the sows. Consequently, in addition to providing a sense of satiety through slow gastric emptying, salivary stimulation, and stomach capacity swelling, fibers promote a more prolonged glycemic curve, which can be a beneficial strategy to ensure proper blood sugar levels at the time of parturition.
Moreover, the strategic use of eubiotic fibers, composed of a balanced association of soluble and insoluble portions, can enhance health and gastrointestinal function. In piglets, for example, this leads to improved performance and immunity through the modulation and promotion of beneficial bacteria in the gut and increased concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Each portion of fiber will act differently in the gastrointestinal tract, and understanding their biochemical interactions in the gut is another tool for the technical management of the swine herd. Discover our solutions for intestinal health in pigs and talk to our specialists!
Also, read “Dietary Fibers: Nutrition and Intestinal Health in Focus” and check our LinkedIn for updates. Additionally, explore our solution for insoluble fibers for the intestinal health of poultry and pigs: JELUVET™.
