FORMATION OF THE FUNCTIONAL STATE OF PIGLETS' ORGANISMS IN RESPONSE TO STRESS INDUCED BY WEANING FROM THE SOW
I.V. Korkh1, D.A. Lashyn1, N.V. Boiko1, A.P. Paliy2, O.V. Akimov2, O.V. Pavlichenko2, S.B. Borovkov3, N.V. Palii3
- Livestock Farming Institute of NAAS of Ukraine, Kharkiv;Ukraine
- National Scientific Center “Institute of Experimental and Clinical Veterinary Medicine”, Kharkiv; Ukraine
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine of NAAS of Ukraine, Kyiv; Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/fz71.06.085

Abstract
Genetic and paratypic factors largely determine the functional
state of piglets. Among these factors, stress induced by weaning
from the sow plays a dominant role. Despite previous research,
the physiological response to this stress remains poorly
understood. Our study aimed to determine the characteristics
of piglets' physiological responses to the stress caused by
weaning. Three groups of animals were formed based on the
severity of their stress response: Group I was stress-resistant,
Group II was weakly responsive, and Group III was strongly
responsive. Piglets in all groups exhibited a stress response,
as indicated by changes in hematological and physiological
parameters. These changes generally occurred within the
limits of moderate stress on the body's functional reserves
and remained close to the physiological norm. Compared to
animals in group III, piglets in groups I and II showed better
immune response parameters against the background of stress.
The biochemical parameters of the blood serum did not differ
significantly at the time of weaning. Still, four days after
the stress, the differences between the groups became more
noticeable, indicating a response to the “weaning crisis.” By
the ninth day, a tendency toward stabilization was observed.
Stress caused by weaning piglets from sows was accompanied
by changes in immune activity indicators and deviations in
physiological parameters, particularly body temperature,
respiratory rate, and pulse. Intergroup differences were mainly
recorded on the fourth day after weaning. Thus, these results
can justify practical approaches to minimizing the negative
effects of stress during weaning, maintaining physiological
stability, and improving piglets' overall health.
Keywords:
stress resistance; morphological composition; biochemical blood parameters; piglets; weaning.
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