It is important to prevent newborn piglets becoming infected with disease-causing pathogens during the birth process.
Should a piglet fail to ingest any colostrum, its chance of survival is almost zero!
The concentrations of immunoglobulin (IgG and IgA) decrease rapidly within a few hours of birth. The timing and quantity of colostrum-intake are therefore critical. The more the better, the quicker the better!
A sow’s own colostrum is irreplaceable for the new born piglet! Only maternal immune cells derived from its’ own mother can cross the intestinal wall of the piglets and thereby activate an immune-system. Healthy and thriving sows will produce plenty colostrum. A piglet requires about 250 g each day. The colostrum contains many immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) providing protection against viruses and bacteria.
Newborn piglets lack brown adipose (fat) tissue which is available to many other mammals as an energy source at birth and thereby they are more sensitive to cold stress when compared to other mammals. They are at greatest risk of hypothermia immediately after birth with a lowering of body-temperature of up to 5°C possible. Through shivering piglets try to maintain body temperature but as a result lose valuable energy reserves!
Signs of excessive intra-uterine pressure during birth:
Slow start of breathing in newborn piglets
Ruptured, profusely bleeding umbilical cords at birth
Strangulation of the piglets by the umbilical cord
Uterine spasm, retarded birth
ARTES Biotechnology has announced a collaboration with global pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. ARTES Biotechnology specialises in recombinant protein production, process and vaccine development from microbial expression systems. ARTES’ expression system Hansenula polymorpha is the preferred technology for affordable mass vaccination and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for these purposes. In combination with ARTES’ METAVAX® platform, this offers a new, unique and economical approach to low-cost mass production of safe and effective vaccines required in the veterinary field.
For the ninth time, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has funded independent European research projects related to Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) infection and associated diseases. Over the past nine years, 26 research projects have been awarded with € 25,000 each accumulating to € 650,000 in total.
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