TITLE:
Use of Cross-Fostering to Enhance Growth of Pigs That Are Predicted to Grow Poorly Based on Plasma α-1 Acid Glycoprotein Concentration
AUTHORS:
T. G. Ramsay, M. J. Stoll, L. L. Schreier, A. E. Shannon
KEYWORDS:
Neonatal Pig, Alpha-1 Acid Glycoprotein, Cross-Fostering, Growth Rate, Body Composition
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.8 No.1,
December
20,
2017
ABSTRACT: Porcine α-1
acid glycoprotein (AGP) in newborn pigs can be used to predict growth rate
through weaning and is a marker for growth impairment. This study examined
whether nutritional support can improve the growth rate of piglets identified
as having poor growth potential. Cross-fostering (CF) and CF plus a milk
supplement (CF + MS) were used to attempt to improve the growth performance of
pigs. Blood was collected at d1 post-parturition for measurement of plasma AGP
for all pigs in 28 litters contributing to the experiment. Piglets with the
highest plasma AGP level were weight and sex matched to a littermate with a low
plasma AGP concentration and four pairs of these weight and sex matched pigs
were grouped into four foster litters per treatment (control, CF, CF + MS). The
control group was assembled by pairing littermates remaining in donor litters.
Pigs stayed on treatment until weaning at 21 days of age. At 35 days of age,
dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed on CF and CF + MS pigs to evaluate carcass composition. Control
pairs differed in weaning weight, with pigs with higher plasma AGP at 1 day of age
having smaller weaning weights than their littermates of similar birth weight (P + MS produced a similar effect as CF (P > 0.05). At 35 days of age, body
weights were still similar between CF littermates and between CF + MS
littermates (P > 0.05). DXA
analysis demonstrated that body composition was similar between CF or CF + MS
treated pigs and their littermates. These
data demonstrate that CF can be used to correct the growth impairment in pigs
predicted using plasma AGP as the marker. CF + MS can do the same, but at greater
expense.