Lithium and porcine aggression

Area of Science:

• Animal Behavior
• Pharmacology
• Animal Science

Background:

• Aggression in newly mixed pigs leads to injuries and reduced productivity.
• Dietary supplements are explored to mitigate negative social interactions in livestock.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of lithium (Li) on aggression levels in growing pigs.
• To determine the dose-response relationship between serum Li concentrations and aggressive behaviors.

Main Methods:

• Four experiments involving 148 growing pigs were conducted.
• Pigs were fed diets with varying Li levels (17-84 ppm) or received intraperitoneal Li injections.
• Aggression was quantified by observing biting activity post-mixing.

Main Results:

• Low dietary Li (17-84 ppm) resulted in lower biting activity, though not always statistically significant.
• High serum Li concentrations (achieved via injection) reduced aggression to near zero for 10 hours.
• High Li levels induced malaise, emesis, and reduced feed intake, indicating potential toxicity.

Conclusions:

• Lithium can suppress aggression in unfamiliar pigs, particularly at high serum concentrations.
• The adverse effects of high Li doses (malaise, emesis, reduced feed intake) contraindicate its use for managing aggression in growing pigs.