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Body temperature changes in sows during the periparturient period
Laboratory Animal Science
|October 1, 1979
Summary
Sow body temperature increases significantly around farrowing, peaking post-parturition. This elevated temperature persists postpartum, showing a daily pattern and a gradual increase over the first 12 days.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Physiology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Accurate monitoring of sow physiology is crucial for understanding reproductive health.
- Parturition involves significant physiological changes in sows.
- Body temperature fluctuations can indicate underlying health status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate deep body temperature changes in sows during the periparturient period.
- To establish baseline temperature ranges and identify temperature variations associated with parturition.
- To characterize the postpartum temperature profile in sows.
Main Methods:
- Deep body temperatures were continuously monitored using implanted radiotelemetry devices in five normal sows.
- Data collection spanned from 2-4 days prepartum to approximately 12 days postpartum.
- Temperature data was analyzed to identify trends and patterns relative to parturition events.
Main Results:
- Mean prepartum body temperature was 38.6°C (range: 38.3–38.9°C).
- A significant body temperature increase (1.4°C) was observed, commencing ~12 hours before farrowing and peaking 1-2 hours after the last piglet delivery.
- Postpartum temperatures remained elevated, approximately 1°C higher than prepartum levels by day two, with a mean daily increase of 0.06°C over 12 days. A diurnal pattern was noted.
Conclusions:
- Parturition is associated with a distinct hyperthermic response in sows.
- Sows exhibit an elevated postpartum body temperature that gradually increases over the initial two weeks.
- The observed diurnal variations in body temperature warrant further investigation in postpartum sows.