Blood-glucose levels in newborn piglets and the associations between blood-glucose levels, intrauterine growth restriction and pre-weaning mortality

Trude Staarvik; Tore Framstad; Mina Heggelund; Sunniva Brynjulvsrud Fremgaarden; Camilla Kielland

doi:10.1186/s40813-019-0129-6

Blood-glucose levels in newborn piglets and the associations between blood-glucose levels, intrauterine growth restriction and pre-weaning mortality

Porcine Health Manag. 2019 Oct 1:5:22. doi: 10.1186/s40813-019-0129-6. eCollection 2019.

Authors

Trude Staarvik¹, Tore Framstad¹, Mina Heggelund¹, Sunniva Brynjulvsrud Fremgaarden¹, Camilla Kielland¹

Affiliation

¹ Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Sciences, The Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between blood-glucose levels in one-day-old-piglets (ODOP), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and pre-weaning mortality in a commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway.

Material and methods: The study was carried out in a non-crate commercial piglet-producing herd in Norway and 426 live born piglets from 31 litters were included. Piglets were blood-sampled, ear tagged, weighed and measured within 24 h after birth. Litter size, cross fostering and deaths until weaning were recorded. Blood was collected by vein puncture of Vena subcutanea abdominis and blood-glucose levels were measured using a handheld glucometer. Piglets were given an IUGR-score (1-3) based on head-morphology where a score of 3 is defined as an intrauterine growth restricted piglet.

Results: Of the 426 live born piglets, 391 piglets survived until weaning, resulting in 8.22% pre-weaning mortality. Mean piglet weight in ODOP was 1.59 kg (SD = 0.36), and mean blood-glucose level was 5.48 mmol/l (SD = 1.44). IUGR score 3 piglets had lower blood-glucose levels (Coef. = - 1.7 mmol/l, P < .001) than normal piglets (IUGR score 1). Males had significantly higher blood glucose levels (Coef. = 0.23 mmol/l, P = .044) compared to females. There was a trend that blood-glucose levels in individual piglets were lower in large litters with - 0.07 mmol/l per extra piglet born (P = .054). Piglets with blood-glucose levels in the second quartile had reduced risk of pre-weaning mortality (OR = 0.32, P = .046) compared to piglets with blood-glucose levels in the lower quartile. This is also true for piglets in the third and fourth quartile (OR = 0.13, P = 0.004).

Conclusion: This study identified IUGR to be associated with low blood-glucose levels in ODOP. It also found increased pre-weaning mortality in ODOP with low blood-glucose. By identifying IUGR piglets by the shape of their head, piglet producers may reduce pre-weaning mortality by making sure these piglets get enough colostrum, milk or supplement feeding (i.e. energy).

Keywords: Blood-glucose levels; IUGR; Mortality; Piglets; Swine.