Periparturient cortisol, acute phase cytokine, and acute phase protein profiles of gilts housed in groups or stalls during gestation

¹ Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907; Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
² Livestock Behavior Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
³ Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: spruiett{at}purdue.edu.

	Abstract

Use of gestation stalls in pork production remains a controversial topic in animal welfare. Immune status and measures are frequently used to assess stress levels and thus well-being of confined animals. The important welfare issue of close confinement among gestating gilts was tested by quantifying cortisol, acute phase cytokine, and acute phase protein profiles before and after farrowing of gilts housed in 2 systems. Landrace x Yorkshire cross gilts were housed in groups of 4 (Group; n = 8) in pens (3.9 m x 2.4 m) and compared to gilts (n = 16) housed in standard industry stalls (2.2 m x 0.6 m). Floors were fully slatted and substrate was not provided for either system. Cortisol was determined from saliva on d 105 of gestation,1 h after moving into farrowing stalls (d 111), and 24 h and 7 d after farrowing. Cortisol was greater (P = 0 .04) for Group gilts 1 h after moving into farrowing stalls and 24 h after farrowing. Cortisol concentrations decreased (P = 0 .001) over time. Leukocyte mRNA expression of IL-1, IL-1 receptor antagonist, and tumor necrosis factor- was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR on d 35, 63, and 91 of gestation and 72 h after farrowing. Cytokine RNA expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells did not differ between housing systems for IL-1, its receptor antagonist, or for tumor necrosis factor-. Acute phase proteins, including fibrinogen, haptoglobin, and ₁-acid glycoprotein were determined during d 35, 63, and 91of gestation and 72 h and 14 d after farrowing. In contrast to cortisol, fibrinogen concentrations increased (P < 0.005) over time. Haptoglobin did not differ between treatments (P > 0.10). Stalled gilts tended to have greater (P = 0 .07) plasma ₁-acid glycoprotein concentrations than Group animals at d 35 of gestation and d 14 after farrowing. These data showed a trend (P < 0.07) for ₁-acid glycoprotein concentrations to return to baseline more quickly in group-housed gilts, which did not appear to be directly related to increased cortisol just before farrowing. In conclusion, few acute phase response differences were detected between our housing systems, suggesting resting immunological responses are only mildly affected by gestation stalls.

Key Words: acute phase response, cortisol, gestation stalls, housing, pigs, stress

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