Environmental and nutritional determinants of non-infectious pig diseases in Armenia: An ecology-based multi-regional...

Non-infectious diseases pose a significant but often underrecognized challenge to pig production in many regions where environmental variability and nutritional issues interact. Armenia offers a unique ecological setting for studying these diseases due to its pronounced agro-climatic diversity, including steep elevation gradients, varying sunlight exposure, and region-specific soil mineral deficiencies. These environmental factors may increase the risk of metabolic imbalances, digestive problems, and toxicoses under typical farm conditions. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, regional distribution, and ecological factors driving non-infectious diseases in pigs across Armenia's major pig-producing areas. It also explored how agro-climatic conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and feed-related mycotoxin exposure jointly influence disease patterns at the population level.

A cross-sectional observational study was carried out between 2023 and 2024 on 15 pig farms across four major Armenian pig-producing regions: Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, and Syunik. A total of 3,370 pigs from various production categories were clinically examined. These assessments focused on non-infectious conditions such as metabolic disorders, digestive diseases, toxicoses, anemia, and musculoskeletal abnormalities, following standardized veterinary diagnostic guidelines. Blood samples from 40 pigs (10 from each region) were analyzed for hematological and biochemical indicators of metabolic and mineral status, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), selenium (Se), and vitamin D levels. Feed samples from each farm were evaluated to determine their basic nutritional composition and screened for major mycotoxins, such as aflatoxins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol. The statistical analysis incorporated descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and exploratory ecological regression to explore relationships between environmental factors and disease prevalence.

Overall, 825 pigs (24.4%) showed signs of non-infectious diseases. Regional prevalence ranged from 20.0% in lowland areas to 33.7% in high-altitude regions. Metabolic disorders and toxicoses made up about 30% of cases, followed by digestive diseases (20%), with anemia, musculoskeletal disorders, and mineral imbalance-related neurological syndromes each accounting for around 10%. High-altitude regions (Kotayk and Syunik) showed significant biochemical deficiencies, including decreases in serum vitamin D (45%-60%), Ca (20%-30%), and Se (40%-60%) compared to normal reference ranges. There were strong negative correlations between altitude and serum vitamin D levels (r = -0.76), as well as Ca-P balance (r = -0.67 to -0.72). Hematological data indicated anemia, inflammatory responses, and impaired protein metabolism in areas with greater environmental stress. Feed analysis uncovered widespread subclinical co-contamination with multiple mycotoxins, especially aflatoxins, zearalenone, and deoxynivalenol, suggesting chronic metabolic stress even though toxin levels remained below regulatory limits.

Non-infectious pig diseases in Armenia mainly stem from the interaction of environmental and nutritional factors rather than isolated risks. Reduced sunlight exposure at high altitudes, along with resulting vitamin D deficiency, mineral imbalances, and chronic low-level mycotoxin exposure, create biological pathways that contribute to disease development. These findings emphasize the need for region-specific preventive measures, such as targeted vitamin D and mineral supplements in high-altitude farming systems and improved feed quality monitoring to reduce chronic mycotoxin exposure. Combining agro-climatic data with physiological diagnostics may enhance early risk detection and enable more accurate management strategies for pig health in diverse environmental production systems.