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A total of 37 multiparous Landrace x Large White sows from 4 batches were subjected to an open field test on d 58 of gestation in order to select them for reactivity. This test allowed the selection of 12 reactive (R) and 8 non reactive (NR) sows for the study. The behavioural response of the sow to a human contact was recorded on day 72 of gestation. The experimenter entered to the farrowing crate, approached quietly until having the two legs against the bars at the level of the head of the sow and then gently touched the neck with 2 hands where the tissue bag contained the catheter. This procedure was conducted without previous adaptation. Sows were fed 3 kg/d of standard gestation diet before farrowing and a standard lactation diet ad libitum thereafter. Sows were cataterized on day 70 of gestation and blood samples were taken after an overnight fast on day 37 before farrowing, daily during the week before and the week after parturition and on days 14 and 21 of lactation for plasma Trp and cortisol determination.
The NR sows were less reactive to human contact (P=0.02), had a shorter farrowing duration (P=0.02) and tended to have a shorter birth interval between piglets (P=0.09) than the R sows. Feed intake was grater for the NR sows than for the R sows during the first week of lactation (P=0.02) as well as during the whole lactation (P=0.03). For both groups of sows, plasma concentration of Trp between days 2 and 4 postpartum were less than during gestation (P<0.05). The NR sows had decreased plasma Trp concentrations compared with the R sows during week 1 of lactation (P=0.02).
It is concluded that a low reactivity of sow was associated with behaviour of the sow that was favourable to piglet survival during farrowing, increased feed intake and decreased plasma Trp concentration during the 1st week of lactation.
E Mosnier, JY Durmad, M Etienne, N Le Floc'h, MC Père, P Ramaekers, B Sève, J Van Milgen and MC Meunier-Salaün, 2009. Journal of Animal Science 87:1282-1291.
