Search Results (325)

Background: Giardia duodenalis is one of the most prevalent protozoan pathogens, commonly infecting a wide range of hosts including humans, livestock, companion animals, and wildlife globally. The Bamaxiang pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), a native livestock variety from China’s Guangxi region, holds significant importance in Bama Yao Autonomous County. This breed not only supports regional meat production systems but also fulfills dual roles as human companions and valuable subjects for biomedical investigations. The aim of present study was to investigate the prevalence of G. duodenalis and assess its genetic characteristics. A total of 311 fresh fecal samples were collected from three farms in Bama Yao Autonomous County. The presence and genetic diversity of G. duodenalis were determined by nested PCR and sequence analysis of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), β-giardin (bg) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Results: The total occurrence rate of G. duodenalis in Bamaxiang Pigs was 17.36% (54/311). Among different age groups, suckling piglets exhibited the highest infection rate at 24.29% (17/70). The infection rates in the sows, fattening pigs, and weaned piglets were 20.88% (19/91), 14.10% (11/78), and 9.72% (7/72), respectively (p < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from three genetic loci identified two G.duodenalis genetic assemblages, namely assemblages A and E. Among them, assemblage A (n = 31) was the predominant genotype across the three farms, followed by the assemblage E (n = 21) and mixed assemblage A/E (n = 2) infections. Conclusions: This study represents the first report demonstrating that G. duodenalis infection is prevalent in Bamaxiang pigs, with variable positivity rates across different growth stages. The zoonotic assemblage A was the predominant assemblage, suggesting a potential risk of transmission to humans through close contact with this specific pig breed. The results provide basic data for controlling infections in Bamaxiang pigs. Full article

This study involved 30 male pigs (DanBred × Duroc), which were divided into three groups of 10 animals each. Control group (C)—immunologically castrated boars with a slaughter weight of 120 kg; and experimental groups: E1—uncastrated boars with a slaughter weight of 120 kg, and E2—uncastrated boars with a slaughter weight of 105 kg. Animals from all groups were fed a complete feed mixture in a liquid form three times a day. After slaughter, their meat and backfat were analysed for the physicochemical parameters and for the contents of indole, skatole, androstenol, and androsterone. A higher protein content was determined in the meat of boars from group E1 (23.48%) compared to those from groups C (22.87%) and E2 (22.99%) (p ≤ 0.01), and a higher content of n-6 PUFAs in the meat of boars from group C (5.21 mg/g of meat) compared to those from group E2 (4.81 mg/g of meat) (p ≤ 0.05). Analysis of the chemical composition of backfat showed a lower protein level in the backfat of boars from group C (4.70%) compared to those from group E1 (6.20%) and a higher fat level in the backfat from boars from group C (70.09%) compared to those from groups E1 (65.90%) and E2 (64.75%) (p ≤ 0.05). Body weight and immunocastration status were also shown to affect the fatty acid profile. Immunocastration also reduced the content of androstenol and androsterone in meat and fat. A higher content of indole was demonstrated in the meat of boars from group C and in the backfat of those from group E2 compared to the animals from the other groups (p ≤ 0.001). Full article

Background: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary pathogen responsible for postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and related diseases, leading to significant economic losses in the global pig industry. Methods: This study conducted a thorough epidemiological survey between 2022 and 2024, gathering 6600 samples from 24 large-scale pig farms in Hubei Province. On the basis of these findings, the immune response and economic benefits of two representative commercial PCV2 subunit vaccines, recombinant baculovirus CP08 and Ingelvac CircoFLEX^®, were assessed in a modern fattening farm in Xiangyang city. Results: The results indicated no detection of viral antigens in sows; however, weaned piglets and fattening pigs presented high positivity rates, with 8-week-old nursery pigs identified as the peak period for infection. Both vaccines significantly improved average weight gain and reduced antigen positivity, with Ingelvac CircoFLEX^® demonstrating superior viral control and economic returns. Conclusions: This study offers valuable scientific and practical guidance for PCV2 control strategies and vaccine selection in Hubei and comparable regions. Full article

Heat stress (HS) is an environmental variable challenging pig production worldwide. It may alter carcass composition by increasing fat deposition but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Betaine is a metabolic modifier able to decrease carcass fat in pigs, but the effects of betaine on lipolysis under high temperatures are not known. Our goal was to determine a potential effect of betaine on lipolysis in the fat tissue of Iberian pigs under thermoneutral (TN) or HS conditions. Eight pigs (89 kg BW) were used to obtain explants from dorsal subcutaneous adipose tissue. Explants were cultivated under TN (37 °C) or HS conditions (41.5 °C) for 1.5 h to study direct effects of HS on acute lipolysis. Treatments included control and betaine addition (200 µM). Indirect effects of HS were examined using the culture medium amended with 1 μM isoproterenol ±10 nM insulin in the presence or absence of betaine and HS. Media glycerol was measured at the end of the incubations as a proxy of lipolysis. HS decreased basal lipolysis (−47%; p < 0.001) but increased isoproterenol-stimulated (a β-agonist) lipolysis (+31%; p < 0.01). Betaine increased non-stimulated lipolysis both under TN and HS conditions (73%; p < 0.001). As expected, isoproterenol augmented lipolysis both in TN (2714%; p < 0.001) and HS (3589%; p < 0.001) conditions. The addition of insulin to lipolysis-stimulated explants analogously diminished glycerol release in TN (−39%; p < 0.001) and HS (−50%; p < 0.001) conditions. In conclusion, HS reduced non-stimulated lipolysis in Iberian pigs in line with increased adipose tissue accretion, while betaine partly increased lipolysis, counteracting the effects of HS. Betaine supplementation could be a strategy to counteract HS-induced fattening in pigs. Full article

This study evaluated a simplified precision feeding (PF) strategy on pig fattening farms to assess its effects on economic performance and pollutant emissions. PF in pig production can reduce nitrogen (N) intake, excretion, and slurry-related environmental impacts, yet its implementation is difficult due to the need for daily diet adjustments to match pigs’ changing requirements. This work tested a simplified PF approach: two commercial feeds, a nutrient-rich pre-grower and a nutrient-poor finisher, were blended weekly based on the lysine needs of two groups of pigs, defined by initial body weight. During the fattening period, blend feeding (BF) sustained growth and feed intake at levels comparable to those with conventional three-phase feeding, but heavy pigs under BF showed reduced feed efficiency. Nitrogen excretion and slurry ammonia (NH₃) emissions did not differ significantly, but BF increased methane and carbon dioxide emissions in the slurry from heavy pigs. The results show that simplified PF can provide economic benefits without compromising performance, but BF formulation should also address potential NH₃ and greenhouse gas emissions during slurry storage. The integration of artificial intelligence-driven tools for real-time diet adjustments at the farm level would be of great interest to enhance sustainability and efficiency, because the economic benefits of PF application were evident. Full article

A new, primarily endogenous syndrome affecting pigs from birth to fattening is associated with inflammation and necrosis of the tail, ears, teats, coronary band, heels, and claws. This disease negatively impacts the health, performance, and welfare of the animals. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of the syndrome in typical herds in France and to investigate the associations between SINS, age and sex of the piglets and parameters of reproductive performance of the herds. Data from 2377 suckling piglets aged 1 to 4 days from 16 French farms were evaluated. SINS signs were found in 85.5% of the piglets. There were striking differences between farms, ranging from 68.5% to 95.6% affected piglets. The heels and coronary bands were the most commonly affected areas, at 61.4% and 58.6%, respectively. Alterations at the tail, ears, face, or teats were observed in 46% of the piglets. At least 3 body parts were affected per litter, and all examined body parts were affected on farms. The number of piglets born was significantly reduced in SINS. Screening was easy to implement and required only reasonable time management. It was also integrated into the zootechnical measures on the farms. The SINS lesion scoring system for piglets at birth appears to be a relevant indicator of animal health and welfare, as well as farm economic efficiency. Full article

The vocal repertoire of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) was examined in this study under conventional housing conditions. Therefore, direct behavior-associated vocalizations of fattening pigs were recorded and assigned to behavioral categories. Subsequently, a mathematical analysis of the recorded vocalizations was conducted using the frequency-based parameters of 25%, 50% and 75% quantiles of the frequency spectrum and the time-based parameters of variance of the time signal, mean level of the individual amplitude modulation and cumulative amplitude modulation. Most vocalizations were positively/neutrally assessed vocalizations constituting 59.7%, of which grunting was by far the most frequent vocalization. Negatively assessed vocalizations accounted for 37.8% of all vocalizations. Data analysis based on the six parameters resulted in a distinguishability of vocalizations related to negatively valenced behavior from those related to positively/neutrally valenced behavior. The study illustrates the relationship between auditory sensory perception and the underlying mathematical signals. It shows how pig vocalizations assessed by observations, for example, as positive or negative, are distinguishable using mathematical parameters but also which ambiguities arise when objective mathematical features widely overlap. In this way, the study encourages the use of more complex algorithms in the future to solve this challenging, multidimensional problem, forming the basis for future automatic detection of negative pig vocalizations. Full article

Respiratory infections are a major concern in pig farming as they negatively impact animal health and productivity. Coughing is a key symptom of respiratory disease and can be classified as productive or non-productive, but human assessment often leads to inconsistencies. This study aimed to use a machine learning model to classify pig coughs and investigate their association with respiratory infections. Cough sounds from 49 fattening pigs were recorded and analyzed using a Python-based machine learning system. The model’s accuracy in detecting coughs was 0.72, compared to 0.69 for farmers. For classification of non-productive coughs, the machine learning results showed strong agreement with infection status by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, with a Spearman’s correlation of 0.80 and a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.79. However, the association with Porcine Circovirus type 2 was weak, with correlation and Kappa values of 0.05 and 0.037, respectively. These findings indicate that machine learning can classify pig coughs more accurately than human evaluators and that non-productive coughs are strongly linked to Mycoplasma infection but not to PCV2. This suggests the potential use of machine learning for more reliable disease monitoring and early detection in swine production. Full article

This study investigates the effect of walnut green husk extract (WE) on gut microbiota, metabolites, and immune-antioxidant changes in fattening pigs through gut microbiota-metabolite interactions. A total of 60 healthy fattening pigs (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) with an initial body weight of 65.2 ± 3.1 kg were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 30 per group): the control group (NC), which was fed a basal diet, and the WE group, which was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% walnut green husk extract (WE). Dietary supplementation with 0.1% WE significantly increased the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria (e.g., Firmicutes, Lactobacillus) and reduced pathogenic bacteria (e.g., Proteobacteria, Shigella). Untargeted metabolomics identified 170 differentially accumulated metabolites, among which propionic acid—a key short-chain fatty acid with immunomodulatory effects—was significantly upregulated by 1.09-fold (p = 0.03) and showed a positive correlation with beneficial microbial abundances. These metabolites were enriched in glycerophospholipid and α-linolenic acid metabolism pathways, where eicosadienoic acid inhibited the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway for anti-inflammatory effects, and methyl cinnamate synergistically regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling with Lactobacillus. Serum analyses showed that WE significantly enhanced IgA, IgM, and IgG levels by 3.97-fold, 4.67-fold, and 4.43-fold (p < 0.01), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration by 82.8% (p < 0.01), and trended to improve antioxidant capacity via glutamine. Mechanistically, WE promoted short-chain fatty acid production by beneficial bacteria, forming a “microbiota–metabolite–immunity” cascade to enhance lipid metabolism and alleviate intestinal inflammation. These findings highlight that WE provides multi-omics evidence for its application as a functional feed additive. Full article

This study investigated the possibility of partial replacement of genetically modified soybean meal (SBM) with raw white lupin (WL) seeds in growing pigs’ diets and determined its impact on performance [body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI)], meat quality, and fatty acid profile (FA). A total of 54 male crossbred pigs [(Topigs Large White × Norsvin Landrace) × Duroc], aged 12 weeks, with an initial average BW of 30.30 ± 0.77 kg, were divided into three dietary groups of 18 piglets each. The control group (CON) was fed a standardized SBM-based complete feed. In the experimental groups (WL1 and WL2) the SBM was replaced with increasing levels of WL seeds [WL1-5.0% and WL2-10.0% (grower period, 30–60 kg BW), and WL1-7.0% and WL2-14.0% (finisher period, 61–110 kg BW)]. All diets were formulated to be isocaloric and isonitrogenous with similar content of total lysine and sulphur amino acids, calcium, and available phosphorus. At the end of 83 days’ fattening trial, the animals were slaughtered. Longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) was sampled for analyses of the physicochemical traits. The results show that increasing the dietary raw WL concentration decreased final BW (p = 0.039), ADG (p < 0.0001), and ADFI (p = 0.004) throughout the experimental period, especially in the second phase of feeding. Dietary treatments did not affect the pigs’ blood biochemical constituents. Concerning LD muscle characteristics, the redness color (a*) and collagen content was higher (p < 0.0001) in the WL1/WL2 vs. CON group. Beneficial decrease in the values of some textural attributes (hardness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience) of LD in the WL1/WL2 vs. CON group was registered. The use of WL had a significant effect on the content of FAs, especially for eicosapentaenoic (p = 0.014) and n-3 PUFA (p = 0.045), which were higher than those fed the CON diet. In conclusion, WL could be used as a replacement of SBM in growing–finishing pigs’ diets, with significant improvements in the meat fatty acid profile and technological properties. Full article

Enterococcus spp. are opportunistic and nosocomial pathogens. Intensive pig farms have been recently described as important hotspots for antibiotic resistance and reservoirs of potentially pathogenic enterococci, including other species than the most known E. faecalis and E. faecium. Here, we identified Linezolid-resistant non-E. faecalis and E. faecium (NFF) Enterococcus strains isolated from different production stages (suckling piglets, weaning pigs, and fatteners) across six intensive pig farms. The transferability of the linezolid-resistance determinants was assessed by bacterial conjugation and strains were also characterized for biofilm production, hemolytic and gelatinase activity. Among 64 identified NFF Enterococcus strains, 27 were resistant to at least three different antibiotic classes and 8/27 specifically to Linezolid. E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus both transferred their Linezolid resistance determinants to the main pathogenic species E. faecium. Remarkably, this is the first report of the optrA gene transfer from E. casseliflavus to E. faecium by conjugation, which can greatly contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among pathogenic enterococcal species. The “weaning pigs” stage exhibited a significantly higher number of antibiotic-resistant enterococci than the “fatteners”. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring pig farms as hotspots for the spread of antibiotic-resistant enterococci, especially in the early stages of production. Furthermore, they underscore the significant role of NFF Enterococcus species as carriers of antibiotic resistance genes, even to last-resort antibiotics, which may be transferable to the major enterococcal species. Full article

The occurrence of PCV2 genotypes in domestic pig production is a dynamic process that undergoes continuous change. Beginning with PCV2a as the first recognized genotype, PCV2b, and subsequently PCV2d, has become the most prevalent one over time. The present study provides an update on the prevalence of the three major PCV2 genotypes in Germany in 2024. A total of 87 fattening farms were randomly selected, proportionally based on farm density within the respective federal states. On each farm, oral fluid samples (OFs) were collected from approximately 100 pigs aged 18 (±1) weeks. Oral fluids (OFs) were pooled and screened for PCV2 DNA by qPCR. Positive samples were subsequently examined by genotype specific qPCR. In total, 31.0% (27/87) of all farms were identified as PCV2-positive. PCV2a was detected in 8.0% (7/87) of farms, while 3.4% (3/87) tested positive for both PCV2a and PCV2d. Overall, 11.5% (10/87) of all farms were PCV2d-positive. No significant effect of vaccination status of the pigs on the viral load or frequency of detection of PCV2 DNA was detected. Full article

Animal production generates gas emissions. It is imperative to reduce them as projections suggest that emissions will continue to increase with rising temperatures, alongside the intensification of agriculture to meet global food demand. Slurry acidification in-house can reduce these emissions. In this study, an acidification technology was installed in a pig-fattening barn to evaluate the influence of the addition of a mixture of organic acids, mainly lactic acid and glycolic acid, on NH₃ and GHG emissions. A total of 384 pigs were allocated to four experimental rooms, two with additive applied to the slurry pits by a spraying system and two as a control. In high-temperature conditions, the spraying system discharged additive over the slurry which, in contrast with other systems, was stored inside the rooms during the whole trial. The concentration of NH₃ and GHG, the temperature, and the air extraction rate were measured continuously. A significant reduction in the emissions of the gases evaluated was achieved. NH₃ emissions were reduced by 26.8%, CH₄ by 23.6%, N₂O by 25.0%, and CO₂ by 28.7%. The role of the dynamic spraying system is considered essential to prevent the acidification effect being reversed by the buffering effect of the slurry itself. Full article

The intergenic SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) rs80860411A>C was identified as a major QTL for drip loss measured on semimembranosus muscle (SM) in pigs. The SNP is located near the GALNT15. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between rs80860411A>C and fattening, slaughter, and quality traits of Polish pigs. This study was conducted on 235 individuals belonging to two breeds, Polish Large White (n = 187) and Pulawska (n = 48). The rs80860411 genotypes were determined using the PCR-RFLP method. Association analysis was performed for each breed separately. It was shown that rs80860411A>C had a significant effect on fattening performance traits, on several slaughter performance traits, including width of the loin eye and carcass meat content (p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.05), as well as on meat color—redness (a*) (p ≤ 0,05) in Pulawska breed. The obtained results indicate that the studied SNP has the potential to be a QTN and could be included in pig selection programs, especially in Pulawska pigs. Full article

Porcine circoviruses are significant pathogens that affect swine populations worldwide, with implications for animal health and productivity. While PCV2 is well-documented, particularly due to widespread vaccination programs, PCV3 is less understood, and its epidemiological impact is still under investigation. This study screened for PCV2 and PCV3 in pigs and wild boars across Portugal to assess their prevalence. Also, nucleotide sequence determination was performed to evaluate the genetic diversity of these viruses. Stool samples from 160 pigs belonging to different groups (quarantine, nursery, fattening and adult pigs), as well as organ samples from 120 hunted wild boars, were analyzed. Samples were collected from twelve of the eighteen mainland Portuguese districts with positive cases being detected in nine of them. Pigs had a lower prevalence of PCV2 (1.9%) than PCV3 (11.2%), but the opposite was true in wild boars (76.7% for PCV2 and 55.0% for PCV3). The lower PCV2 prevalence in pigs can be attributed to the PCV2 vaccination program implemented. Additionally, these viruses were significantly more prevalent in wild boars (90.8% were infected with at least one of the viruses) than in domestic pigs (only 12.5%). This significant difference highlights the impact of the controlled environment in pig farms on disease prevention in contrast to the higher exposure risks faced by wild boars in their natural habitat. Compared to a previous study from 2023, we observed a slight decrease in the percentage of positive cases for both PCV2 and PCV3. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences obtained by Sanger sequencing allowed us to conclude that the samples from domestic pigs belong to the PCV2a and PCV3c clades, in contrast to the PCV2-positive cases detected in domestic pigs in 2023 that were classified in the PCV2d genotype. Conversely, samples from wild boars belong to the PCV2d and PCV3a clades. These results reveal genotype differences between wild and domestic pigs and shifts from 2023 to 2024. Our findings provide some information about the circulation of these viruses and emphasize the importance of vaccination and continued monitoring for a deeper understanding of their epidemiology to mitigate potential risks to swine health and production. Full article