Nutreco (Czechia)

<p>The aim of this study was to compare the results of different simplified sampling methods for behavioural data compared to reference records of 24-h in order to assess rabbit doe behaviours at different physiological stages (gestation and lactation) in animals housed in 2 types of cages (conventional and alternative). In total, we analysed 576 h of continuous video of 12 rabbit does at the end of lactation and the same females after weaning. The behavioural observations were studied using 3 independent categories of classification (location in the cage, posture and functional behaviours). Continuous behavioural recordings of 24 h were considered as the reference method to validate another 4 data collection sampling methods by aggregated video recordings of different frequency and duration [regular short and long methods with 2.4 and 8 h of observation respectively, and irregular (more frequent during the active period) short and long methods with 6 and 8 h of observation, respectively]. The current results showed that, independently of the housing system, the best method to reduce the total observation time required to assess rabbit does’ behaviour depends on the trait studied and physiological stage of the does. In gestating does, irregular methods were not suitable to estimate behaviours of long duration such as lying, sitting, resting and grooming. However, in both physiological stages, regular methods were accurate for location behaviours, postures and functional behaviours of long duration. Instead, for the study of infrequent behaviours performed mainly during dark period, where coefficients of variation were high, the irregular long method led to the lowest mean estimation errors.</p>

Quesnel, H., Ramaekers, P., van Hees, H. and Farmer, C. 2013. Short Communication: Relations between peripartum concentrations of prolactin and progesterone in sows and piglet growth in early lactation. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 109–112. Postpartum hypogalactia has been suggested to be related to an impaired secretion of prolactin or to elevated concentrations of progesterone around farrowing. In the current study, peripartum circulating concentrations of prolactin and progesterone were determined in 50 multiparous sows (parities 1 to 5) and related to the Na K−1 ratio and lactose in colostrum and to piglet growth in early lactation. An effect of parity (P<0.001) was observed for prolactin, with sows from parity 1 having lower concentrations than sows from parities 2, 3, 4 and 5, and sows from parities 4 and 5 having the greatest concentrations. Piglet growth from day 1 to day 5 was negatively correlated with progesterone concentrations in sows on day 1 (r=−0.36, P=0.01). The present study supports the hypothesis of a negative impact of high concentrations of progesterone after farrowing on early growth of piglets and also shows a clear effect of sow parity on the peripartum concentrations of prolactin suggesting that younger sows are more vulnerable to reduced milk yield due to lower prolactin concentrations.