Colostrum can be the difference between life and death for a piglet. As litter size increases, colostrum intake becomes even more critical, says Bryn Anderson, a veterinary student at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
“Passive transfer of immunity is one of the most critical determinants of piglet survival and early growth, yet it remains highly variable in commercial systems,” she explained at the Allen D. Leman Swine Conference. “Piglets rely entirely on colostrum for immunoglobulins, but successful intake depends on factors like sow physiology, litter size and piglet vigor.”
She says this variability means that a proportion of piglets consistently fall short of adequate immune protection.
“There has been growing interest in whether management interventions—such as administering oxytocin—could stimulate more efficient colostrum release in the immediate postpartum period,” Anderson says.