Haematology and biochemistry reference values for sows kept under modern management conditions.

The data presented here were obtained using blood samples from 159 healthy, conventionally managed sows from 37 breeding herds. Sows were sampled at weaning and at 4-5 weeks gestation. Paired blood samples were analysed from sows that had a normal pregnancy and subsequently farrowed. The mean values of serum total protein, albumin and gamma globulin concentration were lower in the blood samples obtained at weaning compared with those obtained at 4-5 weeks gestation. Leucocyte count was higher, mostly as a result of a higher segmented neutrophil count, in the blood samples obtained at weaning compared with those obtained at 4-5 weeks gestation.

[Mucosal lesions in the pars esophagus in swine: prevalence and the effect of stress]. / Slijmvliesveranderingen in de pars oesophagea bij varkens: prevalentie en de invloed van stress.

Morphological investigations of slaughterhouse material revealed a prevalence of 63% of the sows (n = 224) and 36% of the slaughter pigs (n = 209) with mucosal lesions in the pars oesophagea. The mucosal lesions were composed of severe hyperkeratosis, erosions or ulceration. Microscopic examination showed that hyperkeratosis is attended with parakeratosis. From experiments in a climate controlled pighouse it could be concluded that mixing of unfamiliar pigs resulted in higher prevalences of gastric lesions as compared with keeping the litter together until the end of the experiment (farrow to finish system). There was no relation between gastric lesions and climatic stressors or between gastric lesions and growth and sex of the pigs. When pigs, according to social ranking, were divided in high, middle and low rank it showed that more pigs in the middle-ranked group had gastric lesions. The serum pepsinogen was not related with gastric lesions. There was a tendency that plasma cortisol increased with severity of gastric lesions. There was a strong significant 'litter-effect', which can indicate a genetic predisposition for the development of gastric lesions. Maybe that the presence of mucosal lesions in the pars oesophagea can be used as an objective indicator for welfare in intensive pig husbandry.

[The usefulness of urine analysis for the diagnosis of macroscopic lesions of the urogenital system of sows during slaughter]. / De bruikbaarheid van urine-onderzoek voor het opsporen van macroscopische afwijkingen aan het urogenitaalapparaat van zeugen bij het slachten.

As part of a research project concerned with the monitoring of health problems in sows, the practicability of post-mortem urinalysis of sows during slaughter was studied to determine the extent to which this analysis was useful. Samples of urine were taken from 232 sows after slaughter to test them for pH, nitrite and blood concentrations by test strips (Combur-8, Boehringer Mannheim). Positive results of testing were found not to be associated with pathological disorders of the genito-urinary system to any marked extent. Samples of urine taken pre- as well as post-mortem from 111 other sows were subjected to same tests. During the process of slaughter, the pH was found to show a decrease, whereas the concentrations of protein and blood increased. The results of post-mortem tests for nitrite were definitely not correlated with those of pre-mortem tests. The results of testing urine sampled prior to slaughter at the farm were related to post-mortem pathological findings to a greater extent than were the results of testing after slaughter.