Physiological responses and blood gas exchange following long-distance transport of piglets weaned at different ages over unpaved or paved roads

• Published in: Livestock science 2015-02, Vol.172, p.69-78
• Main Authors: Martínez-Rodríguez, R., Roldan-Santiago, P., Orozco-Gregorio, H., Trujillo-Ortega, M., Mora-Medina, P, González-Lozano, M., Sánchez-Hernández, M., Bonilla-Jaime, H., García-Herrera, R., Hernández-Trujillo, E., Mota-Rojas, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Long-distance; Physiological responses; Road; Transport; Weaned piglets; Welfare
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2014.12.013

This study investigated the physiological changes associated with the prolonged transport of piglets weaned at three different ages: 10 (W10), 15 (W15) and 21(W21) days under two experimental conditions: over an unpaved (UPR) vs. a paved road (PR). During the experiment the piglets were exposed to two stressors simultaneously: weaning and transport in a vehicle to the farm. The duration of each trip was approximately 6h. The stress responses to weaning and transport were determined using blood physiological and metabolic profiles. Four blood sampling procedures were performed with all groups: 24h before weaning while the piglets were at rest inside the piglet boxes (baseline levels); immediately after weaning but before transport; the third sample was collected upon the arrival of each group of piglets at the farm (PT0); and final sample was collected 15min after the arrival of each group (PT15). In groups W10, W15 and W10, lactate concentrations at weaning-induced stress increased (P