Individual and pen-based oral fluid sampling: A welfare-friendly sampling method for group-housed gestating sows

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Science
• Swine Production

Background:

• Group-housing of sows is common in modern swine production.
• Accurate disease monitoring in sows is crucial for herd health and productivity.
• Oral fluid sampling (OFS) offers a less invasive alternative to blood sampling for disease surveillance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of individual and pen-based oral fluid sampling (OFS) in group-housed sows.
• To compare OFS methods with traditional blood sampling.
• To identify factors affecting the success and efficiency of OFS in swine herds.

Main Methods:

• Conducted OFS (individual and pen-based) in 35 pig herds with group-housed sows.
• Collected data on farm, sow, and environmental factors.
• Utilized logistic regression to analyze factors influencing sampling duration and sow behavior.
• Compared OFS success rates and times with blood sampling.

Main Results:

• Individual OFS averaged 2min 42s; floor type, swab size, and operator affected time.
• Pen-based OFS achieved a 62.2% success rate; floor type, parity, and pen activity influenced chewing behavior.
• Sow lying down during pen-based OFS was associated with sampling duration, genetics, and time since last meal.
• Blood sampling averaged 1min 16s (or 2min 52s with multiple operators).

Conclusions:

• Individual OFS is practical for group-housed sows, though straw bedding increases sampling time.
• Guidelines are suggested to improve the success of pen-based OFS.
• OFS presents a viable alternative for swine health monitoring, with specific management factors impacting efficiency.