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Journal of Animal Science, Vol 79, Issue 5 1179-1188, Copyright © 2001 by American Society of Animal Science

EVALUATION STUDIES

Effects of surgical catheterization and degree of isolation on the behavior and exocrine pancreatic secretion of newly weaned pigs

M. S. Herskin and M. S. Hedemann
Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Animal Health and Welfare, Research Center Foulum, Tjele. MetteS.Herskin@agrsci.dk

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of surgery and isolation on behavior and exocrine pancreatic secretion of nursery pigs. Thirty-two pigs were weaned at 28 d (d 0) of age and assigned to one of four treatments that comprised the 2 x 2 factorial combination of surgery (surgically modified, intensively handled animals or intact, minimally handled animals) and isolation (fully or partly isolated). The pigs were kept in metabolic crates that provided full or partial isolation for 25 d after weaning. On d 3, one-half of the fully and partly isolated pigs were surgically fitted with a pancreatic catheter, whereas others were left intact. Exocrine pancreatic secretions were collected from catheterized pigs beginning on d 7 and continuing every 2nd d. Behavior of the pigs was video-recorded on d 6 and 13 from 0700 to 2230. There was no indication of treatment effects on the exocrine pancreatic secretion. The volume of pancreatic secretion increased from d 5 to 23, and during the same period the output of protein and enzyme activity also increased. Surgically catheterized pigs showed a passive behavioral response in their undisturbed behavior, characterized by less time spent active, fewer postural changes, less chain manipulation, fewer escape attempts, and less play behavior than their intact littermates. Furthermore, surgical catheterization led to less fear of humans and behavioral indications of an ability to distinguish between familiar and unfamiliar persons. Partial isolation led to increased activity, increased chain manipulation, and increased play behavior, indicating that the provision of limited social contact may help reduce the negative effects of individual housing in weaned pigs. These results suggest that it is important to be aware of effects of housing, experimental surgery, and associated handling when interpreting results from intensive experiments.


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Weaning and Feed Intake Alter Pancreatic Enzyme Activities and Corresponding mRNA Levels in 7-d-Old Piglets
J. Nutr., February 1, 2003; 133(2): 362 - 368.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 2001 by the American Society of Animal Science.