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Effects of Heat Stress on Rectal Temperature, Respiratory Rate and Activity Rates in Peripartal Sows and Gilts

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801³

Abstract

Respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) of seven crossbred, second-litter sows and 11 crossbred gilts and rates of sitting and standing activity of 10 sows and gilts were measured from about 109 days of gestation to 5 days after farrowing at thermoneutral (T, 20.5 C) or hot (H, 29.8 C) ambient temperatures. Respiratory rate and RT were higher in heat-stressed sows and gilts (P<.05) before and during parturition. After parturition, neither RR nor RT differed (P<.05) among sows and gilts that were heat-stressed or held at thermoneutrality. Rectal temperature was elevated (P<.01) during the 4-hr period before parturition in all but the heat-stressed sows. Rectal temperature was higher (P<.01) during the 4 hr preceding parturition than during parturition for sows and gilts held at thermoneutrality. Rectal temperature was higher (P<.05) for gilts than for sows during parturition. Respiratory rate was lower (P<.05) during parturition than during the 4-hr period before parturition. From the time recording began until 12 hr before parturition the number of times standing-up, length of time standing and length of time sitting averaged 3.4 per hr, 1.6 min per hr and 4.1 min per hr, respectively. During the 12-hr period before parturition these activity rates were 5.0, 12.8 and 6.4, but during parturition they were only .2, .7 and 1.4, respectively. Activity rates were not affected by parity or ambient temperature. After parturition RT was lower (P<.05) than during parturition in all treatments, but at T it remained about .9 C (P<.001) above that during late gestation. Respiratory rate was lower (P<.01) after parturition than during late gestation for all but thermoneutral sows, and times standing-up and standing time were less (P<.05). Sitting time was less (P<.001) when piglets were with the dam than when the dam was alone.

¹ Present address: Department of Animal Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99163.

² Part of a thesis submitted to the Graduate College of the University of Illinois in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Ph.D. degree.

³ Department of Animal Science.