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Normal profiles for deciduous dental eruption in domestic piglets: Effect of sow, litter and piglet characteristics

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada

atucker{at}uoguelph.ca

Abstract

The domestic pig’s deciduous dentition is comprised of 28 teeth (2 x incisors ³/₃, canine ¹/₁, premolars ³/₃, molars ⁰/₀). The timing and sequence of deciduous dental eruption were determined from oral exams on 233 Yorkshire piglets from 0 to 5 wk of age. Eruption occurred sooner in gilts for all molariform premolars, (p³, p₄, and p⁴, P < 0.01) and first incisor, i₁ (P = 0.004). Birth weight influenced eruption for all teeth except i¹ (i₁, p₃, p³, p₄, and p⁴, P < 0.01), with heavier piglets having earlier eruption. Average daily gain in wk 1 of life was associated with earlier eruption times of p³ (P = 0.006), p₄ (P = 0.001) and i¹ (P = 0.001), whereas ADG during wk 2 was associated with earlier eruption for p₄ (P = 0.036). Both the parity (P = 0.025) and age (P = 0.013) of the sow were associated with earlier eruption of i₁. No litter characteristics were found to be significant. Sequence of eruption was determined to be i₁, p³, p₄, i¹, p₃, p⁴, although polymorphisms (reversals) were found to occur in over 40% of individuals of both sexes for mandibular i₁ and p₄ and maxillary p³ and i¹. Size of the left i³, which is already erupted at birth as part of the ‘needle teeth’ dentition, was found to be larger in males (P = 0.026). Weight gain was not associated with the size of i³. Eruption times of both p³ and p₄ (the first premolars to erupt) occurred later than previously reported in the literature. As these teeth are associated with initiation of feeding behavior for miniature breeds, implications of molar eruption on feeding behavior and feed intake should be considered.

Key Words: deciduous dentition • development • eruption • pigs • premolars • teeth