Impact of the sound Environment on the farrowing house and development of the mother-offspring relationship on piglet survival

• Grant number: 25/00856-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Ecology of Domestic Animals and Ethology
• Principal Investigator: Adroaldo Jose Zanella
• Grantee: Guilherme Cunha Gottschall
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Piglet mortality during the first week of life can reach more than 15% of live-born animals. Piglet mortality has worsened, especially in hyperprolific lines, where the average number of piglets born can exceed 20 per litter. A good maternal-filial relationship in pigs is crucial for piglet survival, given that crushing is one of the most important causes of piglet mortality during the first days of life. A well-established maternal-filial bond is also essential for the physical and psychological development of piglets, as these semi-precocial animals rely on their mother for nutrition and protection in the early days of life. This care directly influences the survival and well-being of the offspring, as well as impacting economic production. In modern production systems, where females are hyperprolific, this connection can be compromised, resulting in higher mortality, especially due to crushing. This study aims to evaluate the impact of different acoustic environments on maternal-filial interactions in pigs. The experiment will be conducted at the University of São Paulo, with 36 females divided into two groups: control and treatment. The treatment group will be exposed to an environment with reduced noise, while the control group will remain in an environment with typical barn noises. The females and their piglets will be observed between birth and the 5th day postpartum to record behaviors such as licking, naso-nasal contact, and vocalizations. Additionally, the time it takes for the females to lie down to avoid crushing will be assessed. The data will be analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, such as the Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney test, to identify significant differences between the groups and the effects of the acoustic environment on maternal-filial interactions.