The swine industry relies on efficiently producing healthy pigs to meet market demands. However, high pre-weaning mortality and sow mortality rates can significantly impact productivity and profitability on swine operations. Thus, lowering these indicators through proper management and health programs is essential for optimizing farm performance. One key factor influencing mortality is inflammation, an immune response to infections or injuries, so managing it is crucial for sow health and reduced pre-weaning losses.¹

Ensuring healthy pigs: the role of inflammation

Inflammation is a double-edged sword in pig health: while it is a crucial defense mechanism, excessive or prolonged inflammation can have adverse effects on growth, performance, and overall well-being. Inflammation can be defined as an immune response triggered by pathogens or tissue damage. While acute inflammation assists in fighting infections, chronic inflammation can impair health. In sows, inflammation from illness or injuries can reduce reproductive capacity; in piglets and growing pigs, in turn, excessive inflammation dampens growth, immunity, and performance.¹ 

The substantial metabolic demands placed upon sows during pregnancy and lactation place the animals under oxidative stress during these pivotal phases.² This oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants, persists unabated until the eventual weaning of the piglets. The implications of this oxidative burden are far-reaching, notably impacting the reproductive prowess of sows. Research has illuminated a direct correlation between oxidative stress and sow reproductive performance, with a discernible decrease in litter size and weight gain as oxidative stress takes its toll.² A noteworthy component of this multifaceted interaction is the observed reduction in feed intake exhibited by lactating sows, a phenomenon attributed to the oxidative stress they experience.³ Understanding the complex interplay between oxidative stress, metabolic demands, and reproductive outcomes in sows is crucial to optimizing piglet production and sow well-being.

Pre-weaning and sow mortality: understanding the challenges

Pre-weaning mortality refers to piglet deaths from birth to weaning. While litter size has improved through genetic selection, the average pre-weaning mortality rate for piglets in commercial swine herds varies between 10% and 20%.⁴ Also, high sow mortality reduces herd longevity and productivity as well. Factors influencing pre-weaning mortality include piglet viability, sow milk production, and environmental stressors, to list a few.⁵ From an economic perspective, costs associated with sow mortality can be direct – such as the cost of replacing the dead animals, or indirect – such as costs associated with the production deficit that result from those dead sows.⁶ For sow mortality, contributors are reproductive problems, injuries, infections, and management issues. Minimizing these losses is vital for efficient pork production.

Factors to consider on lower pre-weaning and sow mortality

Since this is a big issue in our industry, improving the survival of piglets and sows requires multiple strategies. First of all, the intake of adequate colostrum is important for piglets, since colostrum provides energy for thermoregulation and weight gain, as well as passive immunity and growth factors.⁷ Besides that, providing enough milk is critical to optimize health and survival outcomes. Farrowing facility design, temperature regulation, hygiene, and low piglet crowding also minimize mortality risks. Strict biosecurity and vaccination protocols reduce disease exposure and mitigate production losses, especially in the farrowing units. Such measures are essential for lowering pre-weaning losses.

Regarding sow mortality, careful reproductive management via breeding programs, pregnancy checking, and farrowing oversight optimizes sow reproductive performance. Prompt veterinary care for illness and injuries is also critical. Further, providing comfort through proper housing and low-stress handling can improve longevity. It is important to note that proper sow nutrition can also have an impact on sow longevity, so keeping the sow herd in good body condition is very important. Lastly, when deaths occur, be sure to accurately diagnose the causes. Such strategies can significantly reduce sow mortality on swine farms.⁸

Managing inflammation to reduce sow mortality

Appropriately managing inflammation is key for animal health. Maintaining a clean and hygienic environment is crucial for preventing infections and reducing the risk of inflammation in pig herds. Implementing strict biosecurity measures can help limit the introduction and spread of pathogens, minimizing the need for the immune system to mount an inflammatory response.⁹ Vaccination is also an effective tool to protect pigs from various infectious diseases. By vaccinating pigs against common pathogens, producers can help reduce the frequency and severity of inflammatory responses triggered by infections. Besides that, a well-balanced diet with proper supplementation can support the immune system and minimize inflammation in pigs. Nutrients such as antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and certain vitamins and minerals can help modulate the inflammatory response and promote overall health.¹⁰ Finally, though often overlooked, stress can contribute to inflammation in pigs, so reducing stressors in the environment, such as overcrowding or sudden changes in management practices, can help maintain a healthier immune system and lower the risk of inflammation-related issues.¹¹

To summarize, sow management encompasses a range of practices aimed at optimizing the health and well-being of breeding sows throughout their reproductive life. By implementing better sow management strategies, producers can positively influence both sow and piglet survival rates. To achieve that, prioritizing sow and piglet health through inflammation control is imperative for productive swine operations now and in the future.