One Health challenges for pig reproduction

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Science
• Reproductive Biology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The One Health concept highlights interconnected animal, human, and environmental health.
• Pig reproduction faces challenges from environmental changes and chemical exposures.
• Current practices for reproductive efficiency impact pig welfare and immune transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impact of environmental factors and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on pig reproduction.
• To identify challenges and future research directions within the One Health framework for pig reproduction.
• To explore the need for antimicrobial alternatives and resilient pig breeds.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on environmental impacts on pig reproduction.
• Analysis of the effects of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (phthalates, heavy metals) on reproductive physiology.
• Examination of challenges in reproductive management, including increased litter size and antimicrobial use.

Main Results:

• Climate change and EDCs significantly threaten pig reproductive health, affecting fertility and steroidogenesis.
• Increased litter size has led to welfare concerns and compromised immune transfer.
• There is a critical need for antimicrobial alternatives and more resilient pig populations.

Conclusions:

• Climate change and EDCs pose growing environmental threats to pig reproductive management.
• Developing pigs resilient to harsh environments while maintaining high reproductive performance is essential.
• Innovative solutions, including antimicrobial alternatives, are crucial for sustainable pig reproduction under the One Health paradigm.